Patents Assigned to Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8961294
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine capable of improving amusingness of a game by varying the continuity of the main game. According to the present invention, a normal mode game in the normal mode is started based on an input of the bet information from the bet input device; the mode is entered from the normal mode to the chance mode when an enter condition is satisfied as a result of referring to the predetermined symbol determination table in the normal mode; a free game is started as a chance mode game in the chance mode; and the mode is returned from the chance mode to the normal mode when an end condition is satisfied as a result of referring to the specific symbol determination table in the chance mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Tatsuya Teranishi, Akira Osawa
  • Patent number: 8962335
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine executing the processing of (A) displaying on the display at least one playing card in a display mode that displays each playing card face down; and (B) changing the display mode of one of the at least one playing card displayed in the processing (A) to a display mode enabling a part of the front of the playing card to be viewable, upon contact on any position within an area of the touch panel corresponding to an area of the display where the one of the at least one playing card is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Hiroki Munakata
  • Patent number: 8961323
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Kenji Enokido, Keita Shimura
  • Patent number: 8951112
    Abstract: A display device having bet areas where a plurality of bet objects are displayed and a unit bet buttons where a plurality of bet amounts are displayed and a touch panel which is provided on the front surface side of the display device to be able to receive a touch input from the outside and detect a touched position of the touch input are included. When the touched position of the touch input corresponds to any bet amounts in the unit bet buttons, a bet amount is determined based on this touched position. When the touched position of the touch input continuously moves at least in the bet areas, betting on each bet object on the moving path among the bet objects in the bet areas is received with the bet amount determined using the unit bet button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Kido
  • Patent number: 8951117
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Joko, Hiroatsu Ike, Kenta Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8951118
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine which is capable of remarkably improving an effect given to a player. The gaming machine according to the present invention is provided with: a cabinet having a display portion for making a display according to the contents of a game played; a plurality of speakers 112A to 112D which are provided at their appropriate positions which are different from each other in height; and a control means for positionally changing a sound image of a sound that is outputted from a respective one of the speakers 112A to 112D, whereby a plurality of speakers 112A to 112D are provided at a top and a bottom of the gaming machine. A variety of effects exerted by means of sound can be provided in such a manner as if a position of a sound source were changed by positionally changing the sound image of the sound that is outputted from a respective one of these speakers 112A to 112D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru Noda
  • Patent number: 8953248
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Jun Hirato, Takashi Izawa, Keita Shimura
  • Publication number: 20150038217
    Abstract: In order to make it easy to change the necessary device specifications when adapted to paper currencies in circulation in a plurality of countries and regions, a paper currency processing device (M1) has: a paper currency slot (M5) which is capable of handling the paper currency (T) of multiple currency circulation regions from the outside of the device; a paper currency transfer mechanism for transferring the paper currency (T) between the paper currency slot (M5) and various locations inside the device; and a plurality of paper currency cases linked to the paper currency transfer mechanism. The paper currency transfer mechanism is controlled in such a manner that the paper currency case associated with a currency circulation area is identified, and the paper currency (T) is transferred into the identified paper currency case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicants: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC., UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8926438
    Abstract: Provided is a gaming machine having a cabinet. Between the back as a back face and the right side face of the sides of the cabinet, the gaming machine has a right end side, which is formed by cutting a plane parallel to the gravitational direction in a manner to join lines spaced at predetermined distances in the individual directions of the back and the right side face from a line of intersection, on which the back and the right side face intersect when extended. The gaming machine also has a left end side between the back and a left side face. Moreover, the right end side and the left end side are symmetric with respect to a plane dividing the cabinet equally to the right and left.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Sasaki, Akira Shimizu, Katsuhiro Kido, Kenta Kitamura, Hideaki Kishi, Hiroatsu Ike
  • Patent number: 8911289
    Abstract: While one video reel is being scrolled and the remaining video reels stop scrolling, a map of Japan or a map of America is displayed on a liquid crystal panel. A territory corresponding to a player is distinguished by color on the map. There is a correlation in terms of probability between the territory corresponding to the player distinguished by color and a payout amount corresponding to a symbol combination to be realized upon stop of scroll of all the video reels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Takeda, Takeshi Aoki, Tomoyuki Hasegawa, Shintarou Okazawa, Tsuyoshi Ohira, Takanori Sakata, Hiroki Abe
  • Patent number: 8900050
    Abstract: The present invention makes players willing to play games next to each other, so as to increase the use ratio. When a game result of a basic game corresponding to a payout occurs, a gaming machine determines whether a battle game condition related to the payout is at least satisfied, and when it is determined that the battle game condition is satisfied, adjacent gaming terminals are set as battle opponents. When battle opponents join the battle game, the battle game in which the battle opponents compete to win is executed, and the battle opponent winning the battle game obtains some profits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8894488
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a control lever gripped by a player, a display configured to display an effect image, and a controller programmed to execute a predetermined process. The control lever includes a rotation axis, a reel handle configured to rotate the rotation axis, a rotation sensor configured to detect the number of rotation of the rotation axis, and a rotation resistance imparting unit configured to impart resistance to the rotation axis such that the torque increases in accordance with the rotational speed in one direction of the rotation axis. In accordance with the game status of the game, the controller causes the rotation sensor to detect the number of rotation of the rotation axis which is rotated as the reel handle of the control lever is rotated, and changes the content of the effect image displayed on the display in accordance with the detected number of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Munakata, Gou Miyamoto, Daisyun Okamoto, Kensaku Yoshikawa, Kazuo Okada
  • Publication number: 20140342801
    Abstract: A gaming machine that is capable of providing information relevant to a winning combination to a player before spinning of a respective one of reels stops in a unit game is provided. When the player's operation is made, in the case where the predetermined symbol is displayed in the effect reel display region 410, symbol arrays of the effect reels are scrolled in an upward direction or in a downward direction and then the predetermined symbol is displayed at the to-be-stopped position, or alternatively, in the case where the predetermined symbol is not displayed, scrolling is controlled so that a symbol displayed immediately after the above situation is replaced with the predetermined symbol and then the predetermined symbol appears from an upper part of the effect reel display region 410, and stops at the to-be-stopped position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Hiroki NAKAMURA, Takeshi NARITA, Hiromoto YAMAUCHI
  • Publication number: 20140342800
    Abstract: Provided is a presentation effect device capable of providing a new presentation effect in which it is possible to change the state where a player can visibly recognize an object to be visibly recognized to the state where a player can visibly recognize the object without any movable member. A presentation effect device is provided with a plate-like panel, an accommodation space partitioned by the plate-like panel, the accommodation space for accommodating an object to be visibly recognized, and an illumination device for illuminating the object to be visibly recognized by a signal from the outside, wherein the plate-like panel is composed of a beam splitter for dividing incoming light into reflection light and transmitted light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenta KITAMURA, Kou Kobayashi, Takashi Izawa, Masumi Sakamoto
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140342824
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Jun Hirato, Takashi Izawa, Keita Shimura
  • Publication number: 20140342797
    Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a reel assembly including basic reels including a plurality of basic symbols and an extra reel including a plurality of extra symbols; and a controller configured to: control the basic reels and the extra reel; execute a first lottery with the basic reels to determine a win or a loss of a game; execute a second lottery to select one of the extra symbols; and control the extra reel to spin and stop to show the selected one of the extra symbols, wherein the plurality of extra symbols include a multiplier symbol multiplying a win prize of the game, an effect symbol used in an effect of the game, a determinant symbol determining a number of free rounds in a free mode of the game, and an adder symbol adding extra free rounds in the free mode of the game.
    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: 20140342796
    Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a reel assembly including a plurality of reels that includes basic reels and an extra reel including a plurality of symbols; and a controller configured to: execute a first lottery with the basic reels in a game round; execute a second lottery to determine whether the extra reel spins in the game round; execute a third lottery to select one of the symbols on the extra reel when it is determined that the extra reel spins in the game round; control the basic reels to spin and stop in the game round; and control the extra reel to start spinning before the basic reels stop spinning in the game round.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Kenta KITAMURA, Hiroki SAITO, Kensaku YOSHIKAWA, Kou KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20140342794
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Jun Hirato, Takashi Izawa, Keita Shimura
  • Publication number: 20140339768
    Abstract: To provide a reel device for a gaming machine capable of increasing a reel illumination effect by varying illumination onto the reel. A reel band which is attached to a rotatable reel of a gaming machine includes a base sheet, a light reflecting sheet which has a reflecting surface reflecting light from a front surface side and is superimposed on the base sheet, and a light diffusing sheet which has a light refracting surface, which transmits light and refracts light to be transmitted in multiple directions, and is superimposed on the light reflecting sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenta KITAMURA, Motomichi SATO, Susumu MIO