Patents Assigned to Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140342798
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes: a reel assembly including a basic reel and an extra reel for a game, the extra reel including an effect symbol; an image display configured to display an character image related to the game; and a controller configured to: execute a first lottery for the game with the basic reels; execute a second lottery for the game with the extra reel; determine whether the extra reel shows the effect symbol; control the basic reels and the image display; and control the extra reel to move in connection with a movement of the character image on the image display when it is determined that the extra reel shows the effect symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Kenta KITAMURA, Kensaku YOSHIKAWA, Kou KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20140335941
    Abstract: In a gaming system, a controller executes the base game in each main display, and performs drawing of an entry right for a first player when the first player does not have the entry right of the versus event. The controller determines a state of the second player if the second player has the entry right when the first player wins the entry right in the drawing, and selects any one versus event. Any one versus event is selected from among at least one first versus event and at least one second versus event when the second player is not in a predetermined state, and is selected from among only the at least one first versus event when the second player is in the predetermined state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Hiroki Munakata, Kenji Enokido, Takehisa Itagaki, Masaya Honda, Daisyun Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20140335946
    Abstract: In a gaming machine, a display displays a jackpot challenge for providing a progressive payout. A controller executes each round of a game, determines an event to be performed in each round, determines whether a determined event belongs to predetermined events capable of providing any one icon of a plurality of icons, performs the determined event and determine a result of a performed event, obtains an icon of the performed event when the performed event belongs to the predetermined events and the result of the performed event is to award the icon of the performed event to a player, triggers the jackpot challenge when the plurality of icons are obtained, and executes the jackpot challenge to determine whether to award the progressive payout to the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Hiroki Munakata, Kenji Enokido, Takehisa Itagaki, Masaya Honda, Daisyun Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20140335930
    Abstract: In a gaming machine, a display displays at least part of a map including a plurality of cell forming courses on which a character for a player moves in a predetermined game. A controller executes each round of the predetermined game, and determines whether to trigger a mysterious bonus game with a triggering probability in each round. The controller moves the character to a destination cell in each round, and performs an event set to the destination cell. The controller awards a payout to the player according a result of the performed event, and executes the mysterious bonus game on the display in a round in which the mysterious bonus game is determined to be triggered. The triggering probability is determined by information including a position of a cell at which the character is located in each round.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Hiroki Munakata, Kenji Enokido, Takehisa Itagaki, Masaya Honda, Daisyun Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20140335928
    Abstract: In a gaming machine, a display displays images of a free game. The controller executes a game, provides a plurality of free games when a result of the game satisfies a predetermined condition, determines at least one free game to a special mode from among the plurality of free game, and determine remaining free games to a base mode, rearranges a plurality of symbols to always appear at least one special symbol on the display in the free game of the special mode, rearranges the plurality of symbols to randomly determine whether to appear the special symbol on the display in the free game of the base mode, and provides a payout determined by a winning combination of symbols appeared on the display in each free game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Hiroki MUNAKATA, Kenji ENOKIDO, Takehisa ITAGAKI, Masaya HONDA, Daisyun OKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140335932
    Abstract: Symbols to be rearranged on the lower image display panel 141 are randomly selected. When the combination of the rearranged symbols results in the establishment of a bonus trigger, how many BONUS symbols 167 are included in the combination of the symbols is counted. Random determination based on a free game number random determination table 192 is executed for a number of times corresponding to the counted number of the BONUS symbols. The randomly-determined total number of times of execution of the free game is awarded as the number of times of execution of the free game. Furthermore, when the number of the BONUS symbols 167 including the combination of the symbols resulting in the establishment of the bonus game trigger is 15, the right to execute the free game 50 times is awarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicants: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Masumi Fujisawa, Hideko Aoki, Toshitaka Suzuki, Hiromoto Yamauchi
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140335929
    Abstract: In a gaming machine, a display displays at least part of a map including a plurality of cell forming courses on which a character moves in a game. The controller executes each round of the game, moves the character to a destination cell in each round, determines whether an event set to the destination cell belongs to predetermined events, selects any one determination table from among a plurality of determination tables based on a position of the destination cell when the event belongs to the predetermined events, performs the event set to the destination cell, determines a result of the performed event based on the selected determination table, and awards a profit corresponding to the result of the performed event to the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Hiroki Munakata, Kenji Enokido, Takehisa Itagaki, Masaya Honda, Daisyun Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8882600
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Okada, Masaki Matsuno, Jun Hirato, Tetsuya Yokota
  • Patent number: 8876600
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Joko, Hiroatsu Ike, Kenta Kitamura
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8870651
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Joko, Hiroatsu Ike, Kenta Kitamura
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140312565
    Abstract: Provided is a reel unit for a gaming machine which suppresses decrease in visibility of a reel belt due to the formation of image of light source on a reel even if light emission intensity for illuminating the reel is high. It is provided a first light diffusion sheet with translucency having a light refraction surface including a surface formed thereon for refracting light passing therethrough in various directions, the first light diffusion sheet stacked on a base sheet; and a second light diffusion sheet having the light refraction surface, the second light diffusion sheet stacked on the first light diffusion sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicants: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Motomichi SATO, Tatsuya TERANISHI, Kenta KITAMURA, Jun HlRATO, Takuto NAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20140315617
    Abstract: A gaming machine that is capable of imparting diversified variations to the play 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 one of a free game and a roulette game. In a case where the free game is selected, a total of values of BONUS symbols that correspond to the feature game trigger is determined as the number of free games. On the other hand, in a case where the roulette game is selected, a game is completed by carrying out roulette game processing once, and the amount of payouts is determined based on the number of free games. The free game and the roulette game are respectively set so that expectation values of the number of payouts are equal to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Kenta KITAMURA, Susumu MIO
  • Patent number: 8858320
    Abstract: A slot machine according to the present invention comprises: a symbol display capable of scroll-displaying a symbol array that includes a plurality of symbols; and a controller programmed to execute the processing of: (A) executing a normal game in which the symbol array is scroll-displayed in a single direction and then stop-displayed to the symbol display, and in which game media are paid out in an amount corresponding to the stop-displayed symbol or a combination of the stop-displayed symbols; and (B) displaying an extra symbol being added to the symbol array, while scrolling the symbol array in a direction opposite to the single direction, when a predetermined condition has been satisfied in the normal game executed in the processing (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Kadode, Masahiro Yoshida, Hiroyuki Kuroyanagi, Satoshi Watanabe, Yuka Hotta, Tsuyoshi Ohira, Hiroki Abe, Takanori Sakata
  • Patent number: 8858315
    Abstract: In a gaming machine, a controller executes a base game, and triggers the bonus game including a plurality of unit games when a result of the base game satisfies a predetermined condition. The controller determines reachable cells of the character in each unit game of the bonus game. The controller determines an expected value of an award provided in each reachable cell by distributing predetermined credits to the reachable cells in each unit game. The controller determines a number of cells by which the character moves along with the course in each unit game, moves the character to any one of the reachable cells according to the number of cells in each unit game, and determines an award to be provided to the player according to the expected value of a cell at which the character arrives in each unit game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiromoto Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8845413
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Hirato, Takeshi Iso, Megumi Shimohata, Kou Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20140287813
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes: a reel having an outer circumferential surface on which symbols are lined up; a reel driving mechanism which rotates the reel to rearrange the symbols; a magnet which is provided in the reel driving mechanism to change an external magnetic field in accordance with the rotation of the reel; a magnetic force detecting mechanism which detects a magnetic force of the external magnetic field so as to output a magnetic force detection signal; a reel setting unit by which the magnetic force detection signal and arrangement positions of the symbols are associated with one another; and a reel drive control unit which controls the reel driving mechanism so that the symbols are rearranged in a predetermined arrangement based on the magnetic force detection signal and the arrangement positions of the symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicants: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Tanimura, Noritoshi Kukita, Hiroatsu Ike, Yoshitomo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8840455
    Abstract: A gaming machine which can control the tempo of the game to refresh the player while maintaining continuity of the game, enhancing entertainingness and amusement of the game, and encouraging the player's sense of achievements. The input unit receives an instruction related to a game. The memory stores a first symbol determination table causing that a specific symbol appears among rearranged symbols on the symbol display unit with a first probability and a second symbol determination table causing that the specific symbol appears among the rearranged symbols with a second probability higher than the first probability. The controller starts the game in response to the instruction received through the input unit to execute the game in a normal mode and shifting the normal mode to a chance mode according to the game result in the normal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Osawa, Tatsuya Teranishi, Takeshi Iso, Kenta Kitamura