Patents by Inventor Toyokazu Sakai

Toyokazu Sakai 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: 11130058
    Abstract: The present invention provides a game machine that is capable of utilizing movements of at least a part of the body of the player as play actions. A game machine provides a dance game that advises of a performance timing at which an action constituting a dance is to be executed, and, evaluates the actual performance timing of that. The game machine includes a camera which detects either a crouching action that causes the head of a player to move lower than a lower-limit position or a return movement that causes the head to move higher than an upper-limit position. The game machine advises of a timing at which such crouching action or the like is to be executed so that the crouching action or the like function as the actions of the dance, and, when such crouching action or the like is detected, evaluates the actual timing of that.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: KONAMI AMUSEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Miki, Atsushi Usami, Masahiro Kiyomoto, Toyokazu Sakai, Rei Takano
  • Publication number: 20200122034
    Abstract: The present invention provides a game machine that is capable of utilizing movements of at least a part of the body of the player as play actions. A game machine provides a dance game that advises of a performance timing at which an action constituting a dance is to be executed, and, evaluates the actual performance timing of that. The game machine includes a camera which detects either a crouching action that causes the head of a player to move lower than a lower-limit position or a return movement that causes the head to move higher than an upper-limit position. The game machine advises of a timing at which such crouching action or the like is to be executed so that the crouching action or the like function as the actions of the dance, and, when such crouching action or the like is detected, evaluates the actual timing of that.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: KONAMI AMUSEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru MIKI, Masahiro KIYOMOTO, Atsushi USAMI, Toyokazu SAKAI, Rei TAKANO
  • Patent number: 10434407
    Abstract: Provided is a game system capable of imposing restriction upon the beneficial effects of the characteristics of a character that has been selected. This game system is provided with control panels having individual rotational buttons. The game system provides a music game in which operation timings at which the individual rotational buttons are to be operated are guided in accordance with the rhythm of a musical piece selected from a musical piece group. Furthermore, the game system awards card selection opportunities for selecting character cards to be used in play, from a plurality of character cards prepared so as to have a plurality of skills which are different to each other, and which respectively correspond to changes. In a special mode, the game system sequentially implements, in a prescribed order every time the special mode is offered, the changes corresponding to the skills of the respective selected character cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kiyomoto, Koichi Tomita, Toyokazu Sakai, Shohei Sakuraba, Erina Takeda, Toru Miki, Atsushi Usami, Kanae Kokutani, Naotaka Okamoto, Yusuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10434421
    Abstract: Provided is a game system capable of expanding the range of factors that affect the result of the music game. The game system is provided with control panels having individual rotational buttons. The game system provides a music game in which operation timings at which the individual rotational buttons are to be operated are guided in accordance with the rhythm of a musical piece selected from among a musical piece group. Furthermore, the game system awards card selection opportunities for selecting character cards to be used in play, from among a plurality of character cards prepared so as to have a plurality of skills which are different to each other, and which respectively correspond to changes. In a special mode, the game system implements, in the music game, the changes corresponding to the skills of the character cards selected at the card selection opportunities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kiyomoto, Koichi Tomita, Toyokazu Sakai, Shohei Sakuraba, Erina Takeda, Toru Miki, Atsushi Usami, Kanae Kokutani, Naotaka Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10434413
    Abstract: The game system provides a music game which guides respective operation timings. Concretely, the game system presents on a game screen, a game area which includes: five lane images extending in parallel to each other such that a height difference is formed between an upper lane image group and a lower lane image group; and evaluation sign images and object images which are disposed along the respective lane images. The game system controls the display of the evaluation sign images and the object images such that the evaluation sign images are moved through the object images on the respective lane images at the respective operation timings to guide the respective operation timings through the coincidence of the evaluation sign images and the object images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kiyomoto, Koichi Tomita, Toyokazu Sakai, Shohei Sakuraba, Erina Takeda, Toru Miki, Atsushi Usami, Kanae Kokutani, Naotaka Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20180104589
    Abstract: The game system provides a music game which guides respective operation timings. Concretely, the game system presents on a game screen, a game area which includes: five lane images extending in parallel to each other such that a height difference is formed between an upper lane image group and a lower lane image group; and evaluation sign images and object images which are disposed along the respective lane images. The game system controls the display of the evaluation sign images and the object images such that the evaluation sign images are moved through the object images on the respective lane images at the respective operation timings to guide the respective operation timings through the coincidence of the evaluation sign images and the object images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Masahiro Kiyomoto, Koichi Tomita, Toyokazu Sakai, Shohei Sakuraba, Erina Takeda, Toru Miki, Atsushi Usami, Kanae Kokutani, Naotaka Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20180104577
    Abstract: Provided is a game system capable of imposing restriction upon the beneficial effects of the characteristics of a character that has been selected. This game system is provided with control panels having individual rotational buttons. The game system provides a music game in which operation timings at which the individual rotational buttons are to be operated are guided in accordance with the rhythm of a musical piece selected from a musical piece group. Furthermore, the game system awards card selection opportunities for selecting character cards to be used in play, from a plurality of character cards prepared so as to have a plurality of skills which are different to each other, and which respectively correspond to changes. In a special mode, the game system sequentially implements, in a prescribed order every time the special mode is offered, the changes corresponding to the skills of the respective selected character cards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Masahiro Kiyomoto, Koichi Tomita, Toyokazu Sakai, Shohei Sakuraba, Erina Takeda, Toru Miki, Atsushi Usami, Kanae Kokutani, Naotaka Okamoto, Yusuke Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20180099224
    Abstract: Provided is a game system capable of expanding the range of factors that affect the result of the music game. The game system is provided with control panels having individual rotational buttons. The game system provides a music game in which operation timings at which the individual rotational buttons are to be operated are guided in accordance with the rhythm of a musical piece selected from among a musical piece group. Furthermore, the game system awards card selection opportunities for selecting character cards to be used in play, from among a plurality of character cards prepared so as to have a plurality of skills which are different to each other, and which respectively correspond to changes. In a special mode, the game system implements, in the music game, the changes corresponding to the skills of the character cards selected at the card selection opportunities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Masahiro Kiyomoto, Koichi Tomita, Toyokazu Sakai, Shohei Sakuraba, Erina Takeda, Toru Miki, Atsushi Usami, Kanae Kokutani, Naotaka Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8409005
    Abstract: An input device is provided which can input operations corresponding to play techniques used in stringed instruments. A guitar controller (10), which comprises a body part (31), a neck part (32) extending from the body part (31) and a head part (33) provided at the front end of the neck part (32), has, in the head part (33), a triaxial acceleration sensor (40) that can detect accelerations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyasu Nakano, Toyokazu Sakai, Yasushi Mito, Hidekazu Shimizu, Hyogo Takahashi, Miho Ikeuchi, Tomohiro Inami, Nayuta Aoshima, Masayuki Shamoto, Takehiro Iikawa, Shigeharu Saeki, Ryo Horie, Naoko Nasuhara, Hiroshi Hayasaka, Takuya Aono, Hiroyuki Takada, Kazunori Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20120135806
    Abstract: An input device is provided which can input operations corresponding to play techniques used in stringed instruments. A guitar controller (10), which comprises a body part (31), a neck part (32) extending from the body part (31) and a head part (33) provided at the front end of the neck part (32), has, in the head part (33), a triaxial acceleration sensor (40) that can detect accelerations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Hideyasu Nakano, Toyokazu Sakai, Yasushi Mito, Hidekazu Shimizu, Hyogo Takahashi, Miho Ikeuchi, Tomohiro Inami, Nayuta Aoshima, Masayuki Shamoto, Takehiro Iikawa, Shigeharu Saeki, Ryo Horie, Naoko Nasuhara, Hiroshi Hayasaka, Takuya Aono, Hiroyuki Takada, Kazunori Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8137171
    Abstract: The player is given the further enjoyment after the completion of a game and encouraged to participate in the next game. The relationship between characteristic parameters used for displaying a character and ability parameters of the player that are computed based on the execution of a game is defined for each character. The relationship between the characteristic parameters and the ability parameters is set to be different from character to character. Therefore, a character that the player has selected changes according to a game result. Because the way a character changes differs from character to character, the player is given the enjoyment of finding a character for which he/she can take advantage of his/her play style in addition to the enjoyment given by an actual game. In order to realize this enjoyment, a relationship between the characteristic parameters and the ability parameters of a character is intentionally made secret and unknown to the player when the player selects a character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyasu Nakano, Takuya Kobayashi, Yasushi Mito, Toyokazu Sakai
  • Patent number: 7988545
    Abstract: Further interest after completion of a game and motivation to participate in the next game are given to players of any skill. Using the results (for example, skill points, maximum combo number) of players evaluated for each predetermined parameter in for example a music game, and players again compete against each other. In other words, after the music game a separate game (secondary game) is played. Winning or losing in the secondary game depends on the results of the players for each parameter in the primary game, and the skill of the player in the secondary game. Therefore, a player's effort and skill in the primary game can be utilized in the result of the secondary game, and even if the result of the primary game is unsatisfactory, the player can seize the chance to win the secondary game, depending on the skill of the player in the secondary game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyasu Nakano, Toyokazu Sakai, Takuya Kobayashi, Yasushi Mito
  • Publication number: 20090104997
    Abstract: A difficulty of each of change patterns of neck buttons R, G, and B is indicated by a change point, which is stored in association with the change pattern. Using this data, the change level of an operation pattern of the neck buttons in operation sequence data is digitized. The digitized change level of the operation pattern is displayed on a song selection screen as a feature of each operation sequence data. Such an absolute index indicating a feature of the operation sequence data enables a player to rely on the displayed index, which facilitates the player to select operation sequence data suitable for the player's skill or taste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki ISHIDA, Toyokazu SAKAI
  • Publication number: 20080248847
    Abstract: The player is given the further enjoyment after the completion of a game and encouraged to participate in the next game. The relationship between characteristic parameters used for displaying a character and ability parameters of the player that are computed based on the execution of a game is defined for each character. The relationship between the characteristic parameters and the ability parameters is set to be different from character to character. Therefore, a character that the player has selected changes according to a game result. Because the way a character changes differs from character to character, the player is given the enjoyment of finding a character for which he/she can take advantage of his/her play style in addition to the enjoyment given by an actual game. In order to realize this enjoyment, a relationship between the characteristic parameters and the ability parameters of a character is intentionally made secret and unknown to the player when the player selects a character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyasu Nakano, Takuya Kobayashi, Yasushi Mito, Toyokazu Sakai
  • Publication number: 20080161078
    Abstract: Further interest after completion of a game and motivation to participate in the next game are given to players of any skill. Using the results (for example, skill points, maximum combo number) of players evaluated for each predetermined parameter in for example a music game, and players again compete against each other. In other words, after the music game a separate game (secondary game) is played. Winning or losing in the secondary game depends on the results of the players for each parameter in the primary game, and the skill of the player in the secondary game. Therefore, a player's effort and skill in the primary game can be utilized in the result of the secondary game, and even if the result of the primary game is unsatisfactory, the player can seize the chance to win the secondary game, depending on the skill of the player in the secondary game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyasu NAKANO, Toyokazu Sakai, Takuya Kobayashi, Yasushi Mito