Patents by Inventor Yoichi Kato

Yoichi Kato 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).

  • GAMING MACHINE
    Publication number: 20150080105
    Abstract: Provided is a gaming machine having new entertainment features, which is achieved by adding new elements in providing a bonus. The gaming machine determines symbols to be rearranged in a display region at random, selects one kind of symbols from a plurality kinds of symbols, places the one kind of symbols in the symbol array associated with at least one of multiple scroll lines, stores symbol arrays in a memory, and scrolls the symbol arrays associated with the scroll lines based on the symbol arrays stored in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Takehisa ITAGAKI, Yuji MIYAGAWA, Hiroki NAKAMURA, Yoichi KATO
  • SLOT MACHINE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF VIDEO REEL STRIPS
    Publication number: 20150065225
    Abstract: Provided is a slot machine capable of reducing unfairness which may result between a player who has made an investment and a player who has not made an investment and allowing a player to proceed with a game by making an investment in expectation of a jackpot at ease. Each money amount which is constant is accumulated independently of a number of bets each time betting is conducted, and upon winning a jackpot, a money amount calculated by multiplying a money amount accumulated until then by a multiplying factor based on the number of bets is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Yoichi KATO, Hiroaki KASHIMA, Naoya SHIRAI, Masumi FUJISAWA, Hiroki NAKAMURA, Takeshi AOKI, Kazuo OKADA
  • Gaming system having a plurality of gaming machines linked by network and control method thereof
    Patent number: 8968069
    Abstract: According to a gaming system of the present invention, a part of the betted game media are cumulatively counted as the common-game cumulative value for the common game. When the common-game cumulative value has reached the specific value, the common game in which the game media in number corresponding to the specific value may be paid out is executed in each gaming machine. Based on the result of the common game in each gaming machine, a single gaming machine is determined and the game media in number corresponding to the specific value are paid out from the determined single gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoichi Kato
  • GAMING MACHINE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
    Publication number: 20140342802
    Abstract: When a trigger condition is established in a normal game, a gaming machine 300 executes 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 payout rate of the free game in the bonus game when the re-trigger condition is established in the bonus game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Takehisa ITAGAKI, Hiromoto Yamauchi, Yoichi Kato, Yukihiro Kawakami
  • GAMING MACHINE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
    Publication number: 20140342803
    Abstract: A gaming machine 10 has: a display device 12 configured to display a plurality of symbols to be continuously arranged; and a controller 30. The controller 30 executes the processing operations of: (a1) executing game processing and then according to a result of the game processing, determining whether or not to scroll at least one array of the symbols; (a2) scrolling the symbol array according to a result of the determination; and (a3) carrying out processing according to a result of the scroll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Kenta KITAMURA, YOICHI KATO, MAKOTO MIYAWAKI, HIROMOTO YAMAUCHI
  • GAMING MACHINE
    Publication number: 20140335935
    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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicants: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Takehisa ITAGAKI, Yoichi KATO, Toshitaka SUZUKI
  • GAMING MACHINE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
    Publication number: 20140323201
    Abstract: As a normal game, symbols to be rearranged on a lower image display panel 141 are randomly determined, and the determined symbols are rearranged. When the combination of the rearranged symbols achieves bonus trigger, how many bonus symbol 167 is included in the symbols achieving the bonus trigger is included is determined. For the number of times corresponding the determined number of the bonus symbol 167, random determination is executed based on the bonus game number random determination table 192. The total sum of the numbers of times of execution of the free game having been awarded is awarded as the number of times of execution of the free game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicants: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiromoto YAMAUCHI, Hiroki NAKAMURA, Masumi FUJISAWA, Hideko AOKI, Toshitaka SUZUKI, Takehisa ITAGAKI, Yoichi KATO, Yukihiro KAWAKAMI
  • GAMING MACHINE CAPABLE OF REPEATEDLY EXECUTING A UNIT GAME
    Publication number: 20140315618
    Abstract: A gaming machine that is capable of achieving respectively different game patterns at a time of a bonus game is provided. A main CPU displays a selection screen in a case where a feature game trigger is established, and causes a player to select either one of a free game and a roulette game. In a case where the free game is selected, a total of values that correspond to BONUS symbols that correspond to the feature game trigger is determined as the number of free games. The main CPU conducts lottery processing for determination of symbols and lottery processing for determination of BONUS symbol values. The values that correspond to the BONUS symbols are added on one by one basis, and a progress of obtaining the number of free games is displayed as effect on a video display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Kenta KITAMURA, Susumu MIO, Yoichi KATO, Hiromoto YAMAUCHI
  • Gaming system having a plurality of gaming machines linked by network and control method thereof
    Patent number: 8851969
    Abstract: According to a gaming system of the present invention, illuminants included in a coupling illuminated line provided for each slot machine are lighted. Such lighting is conducted to the illuminants in an order starting from the illuminant provided at a position closest to the gaming machine. Further, more illuminants are to be lighted in the coupling illuminated line provided for the gaming machine in which the larger number of game media have been betted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Kato, Arata Ajiro, Kenta Sugano
  • Gaming machine and control method thereof
    Patent number: 8814655
    Abstract: A gaming machine 10 has: a display device 12 configured to display a plurality of symbols to be continuously arranged; and a controller 30. The controller 30 executes the processing operations of: (a1) executing game processing and then according to a result of the game processing, determining whether or not to scroll at least one array of the symbols; (a2) scrolling the symbol array according to a result of the determination; and (a3) carrying out processing according to a result of the scroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Yoichi Kato, Makoto Miyawaki, Hiromoto Yamauchi
  • SLOT MACHINE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF VIDEO REEL STRIPS
    Publication number: 20140228092
    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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicants: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yukinori INAMURA, Yoichi KATO, Kazuo OKADA, Yuji MIYAGAWA, Hiroki NAKAMURA, Takeshi NARITA, Hiromoto YAMAUCHI
  • Slot machine using marker that adds bonus trigger functionality to reel symbols
    Patent number: 8777721
    Abstract: A gaming environment is described. If a predetermined number or more marks are displayed, one of progressive chance games will be executed. Also, the progressive chance game to be executed is determined based on the displayed mark. If a progressive bonus is realized in the progressive chance game, jackpot amount corresponding to the progressive bonus will be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Yoichi Kato
  • METHODS OF PREDICTING HOST RESPONSIVENESS TO CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPIES BY EX VIVO INDUCTION OF LEUKOCYTE-FUNCTION-ASSOCIATED mRNAs
    Publication number: 20140147470
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to ex vivo methods of quantifying expression of leukocyte-function associated mRNAs and using the quantification to characterize an individual's potential responsiveness to cancer immunotherapy. Certain embodiments relate to methods to monitor the efficacy of ongoing cancer immunotherapy by evaluating expression of leukocyte-function associated mRNAs genes before and administration of an anti-cancer immunotherapy regimen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicants: HITACHI CHEMICAL C., LTD., SHIN YOKOHAMA KATO CLINIC, HITACHI CHEMICAL RESEARCH CENTER, INC.
    Inventors: Masato Mitsuhashi, Yoichi Kato
  • Slot machine displaying count of symbols determining prize and control method thereof
    Patent number: 8721424
    Abstract: A slot machine comprising a display and a controller programmed to execute processing of: (A) variably displaying a plurality of symbols on the display, and then stop-displaying the symbols; (B) determining a prize based on the number of the symbols of each type stop-displayed on the display; (C) determining, when a plurality of prizes are determined in the processing (B), a priority order among the prizes; and (D) displaying sequence numbers on each of the symbols of the type corresponding to the prize determined in the processing (B), in descending order of the priority order determined in the processing (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Arata Ajiro, Yoichi Kato
  • Gaming machine
    Patent number: 8702500
    Abstract: A method for playing a game with a gaming machine is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) receiving a signal indicating an instruction of starting a game; (b) starting the game; (c) executing the game; (d) displaying a plurality of symbols on a display device; (e) each time a predetermined symbol or a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed on the display device as a result of the game, adding a predetermined point; (f) setting a specific combination of symbols for a free game and an award for the specific combination of symbols that is larger than a normal award according to the cumulatively added points; (g) if a predetermined condition is satisfied, switching the game to a free game; and (h) if the specific combination of symbols is not displayed in the free game but displayed in a subsequent game, paying the larger award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Fujimoto, Yukinori Inamura, Kazumasa Yoshizawa, Yoichi Kato
  • SLOT MACHINE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF VIDEO REEL STRIPS
    Publication number: 20140094252
    Abstract: Provided is a slot machine capable of reducing unfairness which may result between a player who has made an investment and a player who has not made an investment and allowing a player to proceed with a game by making an investment in expectation of a jackpot at ease. Each money amount which is constant is accumulated independently of a number of bets each time betting is conducted, and upon winning a jackpot, a money amount calculated by multiplying a money amount accumulated until then by a multiplying factor based on the number of bets is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi KATO, Hiroaki KASHIMA, Naoya SHIRAI, Masumi FUJISAWA, Hiroki NAKAMURA, Takeshi AOKI, Kazuo OKADA
  • SLOT MACHINE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF VIDEO REEL STRIPS
    Publication number: 20140094258
    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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Yukinori INAMURA, Yoichi Kato, Kazuo Okada
  • SLOT MACHINE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF VIDEO REEL STRIPS
    Publication number: 20140094250
    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: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America. Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Yukinori INAMURA, Yoichi KATO, Kazuo OKADA
  • GAMING MACHINE AND GAMING METHOD
    Publication number: 20140087812
    Abstract: A game is executed in a normal round, in a first-type free round, and in a second-type free round. The normal round is executed with a first symbol set including a plurality of symbols. The first-type free round is executed with a second symbol set that includes at least one first symbol in addition to the symbols in the first symbol set. The second-type free round is executed with a third symbol set that includes at least one second symbol in addition to the symbols in the first symbol set, the at least one second symbol being different from the at least one first symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi KATO, Hiroki NAKAMURA, Masumi FUJISAWA, Kazuo OKADA
  • Slot machine displaying count of symbols determining prize and control method thereof
    Patent number: 8657663
    Abstract: A slot machine comprising a display and a controller programmed to execute processing of: (A) variably displaying a plurality of symbols on the display, and then stop-displaying the symbols; (B) determining a prize based on the number of the symbols of respective types stop-displayed on the display; and (C) displaying sequence numbers on each of the plurality of symbols of the type corresponding to the prize determined in the processing (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Arata Ajiro, Yoichi Kato