Patents by Inventor Atsunori Himoto

Atsunori Himoto 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: 7488254
    Abstract: An expansion unit 50, 60 or 70 is connected to a controller body 10 including an analog direction key 12, a digital direction key 14, command buttons 20a-20z, command levers 22l, 22r, etc. An expansion unit 50 including a photo emitting unit 52 is connected to thereby make the controller cordless. An expansion unit 60 including a photo detecting unit 65, whereby shooting games in which an enemy on a monitor screen can be shot can be played. An expansion unit 70 including a vibration unit 75 is connected, whereby a vibration is given to the controller body 10 to make a shooting game more realistic. New functions can be added to the conventional controller, and the new functions can be added freely without making no change to the controller body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: SEGA Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsunori Himoto, Kenji Tosaki, Toshinori Date
  • Patent number: 7473180
    Abstract: An expansion unit 50, 60 or 70 is connected to a controller body 10 including an analog direction key 12, a digital direction key 14, command buttons 20a-20z, command levers 22l, 22r, etc. An expansion unit 50 including a photo emitting unit 52 is connected to thereby make the controller cordless. An expansion unit 60 including a photo detecting unit 65, whereby shooting games in which an enemy on a monitor screen can be shot can be played. An expansion unit 70 including a vibration unit 75 is connected, whereby a vibration is given to the controller body 10 to make a shooting game more realistic. New functions can be added to the conventional controller, and the new functions can be added freely without making no change to the controller body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsunori Himoto, Kenji Tosaki
  • Patent number: 7331856
    Abstract: A video monitor 13 is provided on the front surface of a game apparatus casing 2. An operation panel 11 is provided immediately below the video monitor 13. Light detection units 15 for detecting a position provided on both side of the upper end. In the game apparatus casing below the video monitor 13 there are provided a game processing board 10 for generally controlling the game apparatus, an operation device control board 16 for controlling maraca-shaped operation device 20 operated by a game player, and a position detecting board 17 for detecting a position of the operation device 20. The game apparatus enables a game player to operate operation device by natural motions without directly operating the operation device, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun Nakamura, Takao Itagaki, Mitsuru Kawamura, Yutaka Yokoyama, Hideyuki Yamada, Kenji Tosaki, Atsunori Himoto, Takashi Abe, Kazuhiro Takayama, Takanori Hasumi
  • Patent number: 7081051
    Abstract: An expansion unit 50, 60 or 70 is connected to a controller body 10 including an analog direction key 12, a digital direction key 14, command buttons 20a–20z, command levers 22l, 22r, etc. An expansion unit 50 including a photo emitting unit 52 is connected to thereby make the controller cordless. An expansion unit 60 including a photo detecting unit 65, whereby shooting games in which an enemy on a monitor screen can be shot can be played. An expansion unit 70 including a vibration unit 75 is connected, whereby a vibration is given to the controller body 10 to make a shooting game more realistic. New functions can be added to the conventional controller, and the new functions can be added freely without making no change to the controller body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsunori Himoto, Kenji Tosaki, Toshinori Date
  • Publication number: 20050233808
    Abstract: An expansion unit 50, 60 or 70 is connected to a controller body 10 including an analog direction key 12, a digital direction key 14, command buttons 20a-20z, command levers 22l, 22r, etc. An expansion unit 50 including a photo emitting unit 52 is connected to thereby make the controller cordless. An expansion unit 60 including a photo detecting unit 65, whereby shooting games in which an enemy on a monitor screen can be shot can be played. An expansion unit 70 including a vibration unit 75 is connected, whereby a vibration is given to the controller body 10 to make a shooting game more realistic. New functions can be added to the conventional controller, and the new functions can be added freely without making no change to the controller body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Atsunori Himoto, Kenji Tosaki, Toshinori Date
  • Publication number: 20050215322
    Abstract: An expansion unit 50, 60 or 70 is connected to a controller body 10 including an analog direction key 12, a digital direction key 14, command buttons 20a-20z, command levers 22l, 22r, etc. An expansion unit 50 including a photo emitting unit 52 is connected to thereby make the controller cordless. An expansion unit 60 including a photo detecting unit 65, whereby shooting games in which an enemy on a monitor screen can be shot can be played. An expansion unit 70 including a vibration unit 75 is connected, whereby a vibration is given to the controller body 10 to make a shooting game more realistic. New functions can be added to the conventional controller, and the new functions can be added freely without making no change to the controller body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Atsunori Himoto, Kenji Tosaki
  • Patent number: 6786826
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a parent game apparatus and at least one child game apparatus which is connectable to the parent game apparatus. A main game program executes on the parent game apparatus and is ordinarily controlled by player actions on the parent game apparatus. When the main game reaches a predetermined state, the parent gain apparatus downloads a subgame to a child game apparatus connected to the parent game apparatus. The subgame executes on the child game apparatus and transfers a result of the subgame to the parent game apparatus. The result of the subgame affects the state of the main game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsunori Himoto, Kenji Tosaki, Madoka Nakayama, Miyuki Yasuoka, Koji Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 6752719
    Abstract: An expansion unit 50, 60 or 70 is connected to a controller body 10 including an analog direction key 12, a digital direction key 14, command buttons 20a-20z, command levers 22l, 22r, etc. An expansion unit 50 including a photo emitting unit 52 is connected to thereby make the controller cordless. An expansion unit 60 including a photo detecting unit 65, whereby shooting games in which an enemy on a monitor screen can be shot can be played. An expansion unit 70 including a vibration unit 75 is connected, whereby a vibration is given to the controller body 10 to make a shooting game more realistic. New functions can be added to the conventional controller, and the new functions can be added freely without making no change to the controller body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsunori Himoto, Kenji Tosaki, Toshinori Date
  • Publication number: 20030073492
    Abstract: An input device and game processing device for simulating an instrument such as a fishing rod, sword, bat, golf club, or the like, are provided, without mechanical constraints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises.
    Inventors: Kenji Tosaki, Atsunori Himoto, Akitoshi Oikawa, Hisamichi Sugahara
  • Patent number: 6517438
    Abstract: A game processing device processes a simulated game wherein an input device is modeled on an instrument required for a prescribed action in real life. This game processing device comprises game developing means for developing a game simulating said real-life action and providing a display indicating that said instrument has received an impact at a timing during said game corresponding to a time when said instrument would receive an impact during said real-life action; and instruction means for outputting an instruction signal to said input device indicating that said impact has been received at a timing during said game corresponding to a time when said impact would be received. When movement information indicating the movement of said input device and supplied by said input device reaches prescribed conditions, the development of the game by said game developing means is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Kenji Tosaki, Atsunori Himoto, Akitoshi Oikawa, Hisamichi Sugahara
  • Patent number: 6478679
    Abstract: A memory device has a small-sized LCD disposed on an upper part of the front side of a case, and operation buttons disposed below the LCD. An external connection terminal for connecting a game apparatus or others to an outside apparatus is disposed in the lower side of the case nearer the front side thereof. A controller has a card slot for the memory device to be loaded in, which is provided in an upper part of an operation side thereof. The card slot has a window opened so as to expose a required part of the memory device when the memory device is loaded in the controller. With the memory device loaded in the controller a game player operates the operation buttons while watching the LCD of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsunori Himoto, Kenji Tosaki, Madoka Nakayama, Miyuki Yasuoka, Koji Tsuchiya
  • Publication number: 20020111216
    Abstract: A memory device has a small-sized LCD disposed on an upper part of the front side of a case, and operation buttons disposed below the LCD. An external connection terminal for connecting a game apparatus or others to an outside apparatus is disposed in the lower side of the case nearer the front side thereof. A controller has a card slot for the memory device to be loaded in, which is provided in an upper part of an operation side thereof. The card slot has a window opened so as to expose a required part of the memory device when the memory device is loaded in the controller. With the memory device loaded in the controller a game player operates the operation buttons while watching the LCD of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Atsunori Himoto, Kenji Tosaki, Madoka Nakayama, Miyuki Yasuoka, Koji Tsuchiya
  • Publication number: 20020107071
    Abstract: An expansion unit 50, 60 or 70 is connected to a controller body 10 including an analog direction key 12, a digital direction key 14, command buttons 20a-20z, command levers 22l, 22r, etc. An expansion unit 50 including a photo emitting unit 52 is connected to thereby make the controller cordless. An expansion unit 60 including a photo detecting unit 65, whereby shooting games in which an enemy on a monitor screen can be shot can be played. An expansion unit 70 including a vibration unit 75 is connected, whereby a vibration is given to the controller body 10 to make a shooting game more realistic. New functions can be added to the conventional controller, and the new functions can be added freely without making no change to the controller body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Atsunori Himoto, Kenji Tosaki, Toshinori Date
  • Publication number: 20020103026
    Abstract: An expansion unit 50, 60 or 70 is connected to a controller body 10 including an analog direction key 12, a digital direction key 14, command buttons 20a-20z, command levers 22l, 22r, etc. An expansion unit 50 including a photo emitting unit 52 is connected to thereby make the controller cordless. An expansion unit 60 including a photo detecting unit 65, whereby shooting games in which an enemy on a monitor screen can be shot can be played. An expansion unit 70 including a vibration unit 75 is connected, whereby a vibration is given to the controller body 10 to make a shooting game more realistic. New functions can be added to the conventional controller, and the new functions can be added freely without making no change to the controller body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Atsunori Himoto, Kenji Tosaki, Toshinori Date
  • Publication number: 20020098887
    Abstract: An expansion unit 50, 60 or 70 is connected to a controller body 10 including an analog direction key 12, a digital direction key 14, command buttons 20a-20z, command levers 22l, 22r, etc. An expansion unit 50 including a photo emitting unit 52 is connected to thereby make the controller cordless. An expansion unit 60 including a photo detecting unit 65, whereby shooting games in which an enemy on a monitor screen can be shot can be played. An expansion unit 70 including a vibration unit 75 is connected, whereby a vibration is given to the controller body 10 to make a shooting game more realistic. New functions can be added to the conventional controller, and the new functions can be added freely without making no change to the controller body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Atsunori Himoto, Kenji Tosaki, Toshinori Date
  • Publication number: 20020004422
    Abstract: An input device and game processing device for simulating an instrument such as a fishing rod, sword, bat, golf club, or the like, are provided, without mechanical constraints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Applicant: Kabusiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Kenji Tosaki, Atsunori Himoto, Akitoshi Oikawa, Hisamichi Sugahara
  • Patent number: 6324603
    Abstract: To provide a new data transmission system between a game device and related peripheral devices, and a device using same. Serial transmission data is divided into an odd-numbered bit sequence and an even-numbered bit sequence. Each bit of the odd-numbered bit sequence data is distributed respectively between pulses of a first pulse sequence signal having a constant interval, thereby forming a first pulse sequence signal (SDCKA). Each bit of the even-numbered bit sequence data is distributed respectively between pulses of a second pulse sequence signal having a constant interval, thereby forming a second pulse sequence signal (SDCKB). The respective time axes are adjusted such that the clock component of the first pulse sequence signal is located in the data section of the second pulse sequence signal, the clock .component of the second pulse sequence signal is located in the data section of the first pulse sequence signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Naoki Niizuma, Atsunori Himoto
  • Patent number: 6312335
    Abstract: An input device in which a player moves the whole of the input device and a game processing device for processing a simulated game are disclosed. The input device is modeled on an instrument required for a prescribed action in real-life. The input device includes detecting means for detecting physical quantities corresponding to the movement of the input device as a whole and converting the physical quantities to a detection signal which is output. The input device further includes vibration transmitting means, fixed to the casing of the input device so that vibration is transmitted to the input device, for inducing mechanical displacement corresponding to prescribed instruction signals. The game processing device includes game developing means for developing a game simulating the real-life action and for providing a display indicating that the instrument has received an impact at a time during the game corresponding to a time when the instrument would receive an impact during the real-life action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Kenji Tosaki, Atsunori Himoto, Akitoshi Oikawa, Hisamichi Sugahara