Patents Assigned to Konami Gaming Incorporated
  • Patent number: 8550906
    Abstract: The game machine and game program of the present invention display, at the start of a game, multiple static symbols by constantly changing to various types of symbols including the wild symbol. The game machine then executes a static display by displaying such changing symbols statically again in each display area and recognizes the arrangements of each static symbol. Then, the game machine visually displays the arrangement of the symbols by which multiple wins are established or the win line related to such arrangements of the symbols, when the pre-determined combinations of symbols, in which at least one wild symbol is included, are arranged so that multiple wins are established. The game machine and game program according to the present invention increases the player's interest and arouses the player's anticipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Konami Gaming Incorporated
    Inventors: Satoshi Suda, Katsumi Takahashi, Takaaki Inoue, Takayuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130225256
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a first lottery device which performs a lottery to determine an arrangement of option areas on a lottery field to be presented to a player, and a first presenting device which presents the determined arrangement. A second lottery device performs a lottery to draw a lottery position on the lottery field when the arrangement of each of the option areas has been determined by the first lottery device, and a second presenting device presents a lottery position based on a lottery result by the second lottery device. A dividend control device gives a dividend corresponding to a property of an option area, when the property of the option area is configured to yield the dividend and the option area satisfies a predetermined relationship with the lottery position drawn by the second lottery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Konami Gaming, Incorporated
    Inventor: Konami Gaming, Incorporated
  • Patent number: 8506381
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a first lottery device which performs a lottery to determine an arrangement of option areas on a lottery field to be presented to a player, and a first presenting device which presents the determined arrangement. A second lottery device performs a lottery to draw a lottery position on the lottery field when the arrangement of each of the option areas has been determined by the first lottery device, and a second presenting device presents a lottery position based on a lottery result by the second lottery device. A dividend control device gives a dividend corresponding to a property of an option area, when the property of the option area is configured to yield the dividend and the option area satisfies a predetermined relationship with the lottery position drawn by the second lottery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kazutaka Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8465359
    Abstract: To display a plurality of symbols in a plurality of display regions, upon starting a game, and in a case where trigger symbols are stop displayed in any of the plurality of display regions, to draw for specific display regions where trigger symbols are displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that the symbols are displayed having a predetermined relationship among the symbols in at least game units, and at the same time, to draw for general display regions that have symbols other than the trigger symbol displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that arbitrary symbols are independently displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Incorporated
    Inventor: Eiji Aida
  • Publication number: 20130143639
    Abstract: A game machine uses a lottery region containing the cells, provides a game opportunity that changes symbols on the cells by causing the symbols of a symbol group to appear on the portion of the cells, determines by lottery, at least a portion of the symbols which should constitute the symbol group, causes at least the portion of the symbols constituting the symbol group to appear in the lottery region based on a lottery result so as to change at least the portion of the symbols arranged on the cells by moving the symbol group including the symbol determined by the lottery result on a movement path containing two directions and stopping the symbol group so that at least the portion of the symbols of the symbol group is arranged on the cells, and determines a prize winning based on the symbols arranged on the cells by the symbol group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: KONAMI GAMING, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: KONAMI GAMING, INCORPORATED
  • Publication number: 20130143638
    Abstract: A game machine uses a lottery region having cell columns and symbol columns for providing a game opportunity, causes a special symbol column to appear in it, determines by lottery symbols of the special symbol column, causes the special symbol column containing the symbols obtained by a lottery result to appear and moves and stops the special symbol column so that the symbols of the special symbol column are arranged on the cells to be changed, and determines whether the symbols arranged in a cell group of a determination target form a prize winning pattern based on the symbols arranged by the special symbol column. Further, the game machine moves the special symbol column along each cell so that at least a direction crossing a movement direction of each symbol column is included as a movement direction of the special symbol column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: KONAMI GAMING, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Konami Gaming, Incorporated
  • Patent number: 8449376
    Abstract: To display a plurality of symbols in a plurality of display regions, upon starting a game, and in a case where trigger symbols are stop displayed in any of the plurality of display regions, to draw for specific display regions where trigger symbols are displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that the symbols are displayed having a predetermined relationship among the symbols in at least game units, and at the same time, to draw for general display regions that have symbols other than the trigger symbol displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that arbitrary symbols are independently displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Konami Gaming Incorporated
    Inventor: Eiji Aida
  • Patent number: 8425315
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprising a external storage device provided with a first game region in which a first game file containing a program and data to realize a first game is stored and a second game region in which a second game file containing a program and data to realize a second game is stored, in which the first game and the second game are selectively played, and an extended device connected to the gaming machine as a physically separate device from the external storage device, wherein the extended device is provided with a determination device that determines whether a predetermined condition is met and a switching device that switches a game played in the gaming machine between the first game and the second game when the predetermined condition is met based on a determination result of the determination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Konami Gaming Incorporated
    Inventor: Kenichi Kamano
  • Publication number: 20130040727
    Abstract: A gaming machine provides a game opportunity in which at least one prize winning can be generated, determines whether or not the prize winning is present in the game opportunity, and provides prize winning advantage when the prize winning is generated based on a result of determination. And the gaming machine determines whether or not a number of prize winnings in a predetermined range is equal to or more than a predetermined number of the prize winnings, and provides favorable condition when the number of the prize winnings is equal to or more than the predetermined number of the prize winnings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: KONAMI GAMING, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Masaya MATSUDA
  • Publication number: 20120282999
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprising a external storage device provided with a first game region in which a first game file containing a program and data to realize a first game is stored and a second game region in which a second game file containing a program and data to realize a second game is stored, in which the first game and the second game are selectively played, and an extended device connected to the gaming machine as a physically separate device from the external storage device, wherein the extended device is provided with a determination device that determines whether a predetermined condition is met and a switching device that switches a game played in the gaming machine between the first game and the second game when the predetermined condition is met based on a determination result of the determination device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: KONAMI GAMING INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Kenichi KAMANO
  • Patent number: 8303401
    Abstract: A progressive jackpot (PJP) system of the invention increments two types of jackpot values. A PJP controller increments a first jackpot value by a percentage of each bet placed on gaming machines. The increment rate of the first jackpot value is predetermined from a payout percentage of the PJP system. A second jackpot value is incremented at a higher rate than the first jackpot value. Each gaming machine or the PJP controller may increment the second jackpot value. The actual amount of an award for a jackpot corresponds to the second jackpot value. The second jackpot value is reduced at appropriate intervals, even if no jackpot has been won. Preferably, the probability of the reduction of the second jackpot value is adjusted, and thereby, the average difference between the first and second jackpot values at the time a jackpot has been won is adjusted to be zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Incorporated
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8303397
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a lottery region defined such that cell columns are arranged to be parallel with each other. Symbols in each symbol column are moved along the cell column at a predetermined game opportunity and are stopped in one cell unit. A determination is performed as to whether a combination of symbols stopped in a determination target cell group forms a prize winning pattern. Reduced cells are defined by equally dividing a cell in a cell column when a predetermined reduction condition is satisfied, reduces symbols corresponding to the reduced cells, recognizes that at least one normal cell and the reduced cells are included in the target cell group, selects the reduced cells included in the target cell group, and determines that a combination of a symbol stopped in the selected reduced cell and the normal cell included in the target cell group forms the prize winning pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Incorporated
    Inventor: Hayato Mizue
  • Patent number: 8287359
    Abstract: A display unit displays symbols in a plurality of columns, and in particular arranges the symbols in the same order in two or more of the columns. A game controller unit determines an arrangement of symbols at random on a condition that symbols are arranged in the same order and at the same positions in the two or more columns. A display controller unit causes the display unit to spin the two or more columns of symbols from the same position in synchronization with each other, and stop the two or more columns at the same position to display the arrangement of symbols determined by the game controller unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Incorporated
    Inventor: Dalsuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8235796
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus and a method of operating the same are disclosed. The gaming apparatus comprises a display configured to display a plurality of reel images and a processor operatively coupled to the display. The processor is operable to determine an arrangement of symbols for each of the reel images before starting each of games, by selecting symbols to be set on symbol stop positions of the reel image from discrete symbol candidates based on selection probabilities associated with the discrete symbol candidates respectively. The processor is also operable to control the display to display the reel images based on the determined arrangement of symbols in response to operation of a player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Incorporated
    Inventor: Daisuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8210932
    Abstract: A gaming system starts a free game mode when a predetermined condition is established in a game wherein the game is repeatedly executed a predetermined number of times without consuming a playing value, and gives a dividend to a player based on a result in the free game mode. The gaming system comprises a collective dividend lottery unit which determines a collective dividend in exchange for the game executed a specific number of times, a selection unit which selects any one of (a) reception of the collective dividend and (b) continuation of the game in the free game mode in response to the player's instruction, a collective dividend giving unit which gives the collective dividend to the player, and a remaining number of times control unit which decreases the remaining number of times of the game in the free game mode in exchange for giving the collective dividend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Gaming, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kazutaka Shiraishi
  • Publication number: 20110263311
    Abstract: In a gaming system that starts, when a predetermined condition is established in a game, a free game mode in which the game is repeatedly executed a predetermined number of times without consuming a playing value, and gives a dividend to a player based on a result of the game in the free game mode, there are provided a collective dividend lottery unit which determines a collective dividend to be collectively given to the player by lottery in exchange for the game executed a specific number of times that is less than the remaining number of times of the game in the free game mode from a dividend range that can be obtained by increasing and decreasing the total amount of the dividend that is anticipated when the game is executed the specific number of times, a selection unit which selects any one of reception of the collective dividend and continuation of the game in the free game mode in response to an instruction from the player, a collective dividend giving unit which gives, when the reception of the collect
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: KONAMI GAMING, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Kazutaka Shiraishi
  • Publication number: 20110223985
    Abstract: In a gaming machine including a symbol region where reels having symbols are arranged in predetermined arrangement, so that the symbols are displayed in an arranged manner in longitudinal and transverse directions, there are provided a reel control unit that independently controls movement and stop of each of the reels, such that the symbols appearing in the symbol region change and a winning determination unit that determines whether the symbols appearing on a valid line set to span the reels form a predetermined winning pattern, when each of the reels is stopped, layers are set in the symbol region, and in the gaming machine, at least one reel is disposed in each layer, a symbol group is provided in at least one specific reel arranged in a specific layer of the layers in such a manner that symbols capable of forming at least portion of the winning pattern are arranged in the symbol group, at least one of the symbols capable of forming at least portion of the winning pattern overlaps the other reel in the ot
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: KONAMI GAMING, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Hayato Mizue
  • Publication number: 20110223984
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a lottery region defined such that cell columns are arranged to be parallel with each other. Symbols in each symbol column are moved along the cell column at a predetermined game opportunity and are stopped in one cell unit. A determination is performed as to whether a combination of symbols stopped in a determination target cell group forms a prize winning pattern. Reduced cells are defined by equally dividing a cell in a cell column when a predetermined reduction condition is satisfied, reduces symbols corresponding to the reduced cells, recognizes that at least one normal cell and the reduced cells are included in the target cell group, selects the reduced cells included in the target cell group, and determines that a combination of a symbol stopped in the selected reduced cell and the normal cell included in the target cell group forms the prize winning pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: KONAMI GAMING, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Hayato Mizue
  • Publication number: 20110117986
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a first lottery device which performs a lottery to determine an arrangement of option areas on a lottery field to be presented to a player, and a first presenting device which presents the determined arrangement. A second lottery device performs a lottery to draw a lottery position on the lottery field when the arrangement of each of the option areas has been determined by the first lottery device, and a second presenting device presents a lottery position based on a lottery result by the second lottery device. A dividend control device gives a dividend corresponding to a property of an option area, when the property of the option area is configured to yield the dividend and the option area satisfies a predetermined relationship with the lottery position drawn by the second lottery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Konami Gaming, Incorporated
    Inventor: Kazutaka Shiraishi
  • Publication number: 20110070941
    Abstract: To display a plurality of symbols in a plurality of display regions, upon starting a game, and in a case where trigger symbols are stop displayed in any of the plurality of display regions, to draw for specific display regions where trigger symbols are displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that the symbols are displayed having a predetermined relationship among the symbols in at least game units, and at the same time, to draw for general display regions that have symbols other than the trigger symbol displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that arbitrary symbols are independently displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Konami Gaming Incorporated
    Inventor: Eiji Aida