Patents by Inventor Hiroki Munakata

Hiroki Munakata 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).

  • Publication number: 20140057713
    Abstract: By rotating a lever, the upper limit of the angle of inclination and the lower limit of the angle of inclination of a movable range are detected by an inclination detection mechanism, and the upper limit of the angle of inclination and the lower limit of the angle of inclination are stored in a storage unit as the upper limit and the lower limit of the movable range. While a game is being run, the angle of inclination of the lever is detected when the lever is rotated. Whether the angle of inclination falls within the movable range is determined. When the angle is larger than the movable range, the upper limit of the angle of inclination is updated with the angle of inclination. When the angle is smaller than the movable range, the lower limit of the angle of inclination is updated with the angle of inclination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicants: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Takehisa ITAGAKI, Kensaku YOSHIKAWA, Daisyun OKAMOTO, Hiroki MUNAKATA
  • Patent number: 8636593
    Abstract: A plurality of gaming terminals each having a terminal display on which a plurality of symbols are lined up, a plurality of upper displays forming a single common effect image display screen constituted by gaming terminal areas corresponding to the respective gaming terminals, and a center controller are included. The center controller determines whether a common game is being run when an independent special game is started, and produces an effect in the gaming terminal area corresponding to the gaming terminal, only when the common game is not being run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Munakata, Kenta Sugano, Daisyun Okamoto, Masumi Fujisawa, Takehisa Itagaki
  • Patent number: 8632383
    Abstract: The gaming machine of the present invention provides a gaming machine that executes the processing of: determining, for each station, a normal game result based on a player card for the station; accepting via each input device an input for a side bet on a normal game in a station other than the station having this input device; determining, when a side bet is placed, a side game result according to the determined normal game result of the station as the side bet target; and offering a first payout based on the normal game result, and a second payout based on the side game result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroki Munakata
  • Patent number: 8616965
    Abstract: A gaming machine executing the processing of (A) accepting an input for placing a normal bet; (B) accepting an input for placing a side bet different from the normal bet, (C) starting a card game and displaying a player initial card on a display; (D) determining a result of a side game based on the player initial card, when a side bet has been placed; and (E) offering a first payout based on the result of the side game, advancing the card game to determine a result of the card game, and offering a second payout based on the result of the card game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corp., Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yukinori Inamura, Kenta Kitamura, Hiroki Munakata
  • Patent number: 8608539
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided which is capable of providing a rendering in such a manner that a story gradually extends together with a bonus game in a case where rendering processing is executed in parallel with the bonus game. The routine transfers to a free game, as triggered by establishment of a condition for rearranging a specific symbol in a base game. Next, the routine transfers to a bonus game, as triggered by establishment of a first transfer condition in the free game. Then, the routine transfers to another free game, as triggered by establishment of a second transfer condition in the bonus game. In this manner, an extended game loop in which the free game and the bonus game enter extended games is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corp., Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Takehisa Itagaki, Hiroki Munakata, Masumi Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 8602895
    Abstract: By rotating a lever, the upper limit of the angle of inclination and the lower limit of the angle of inclination of a movable range are detected by an inclination detection mechanism, and the upper limit of the angle of inclination and the lower limit of the angle of inclination are stored in a storage unit as the upper limit and the lower limit of the movable range. While a game is being run, the angle of inclination of the lever is detected when the lever is rotated. Whether the angle of inclination falls within the movable range is determined. When the angle is larger than the movable range, the upper limit of the angle of inclination is updated with the angle of inclination. When the angle is smaller than the movable range, the lower limit of the angle of inclination is updated with the angle of inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Masumi Fujisawa, Takehisa Itagaki, Kensaku Yoshikawa, Daisyun Okamoto, Hiroki Munakata
  • Publication number: 20130310175
    Abstract: Provided is a gaming machine capable of enhancing entertainment characteristics of the gaming machine. On the gaming machine 1, a game outcome is that after undergoing a process in which trigger symbols whose number is one short of a number of a combination of symbols which triggers a bonus game are rearranged, the plurality of symbols are finally rearranged, an operation of cancelling predictive presentation effects is deactivated until the predictive presentation effects have been finished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Enterainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Takehisa ITAGAKI, Yoichi KATO, Daisyun OKAMOTO, Hiroki MUNAKATA
  • Publication number: 20130310144
    Abstract: Provided is a gaming machine in which elaborate presentation effects for rearranging symbols are rearranged are devised and which has a high game feeling. In the gaming machine 1, upon rearranging wild symbols in a plurality of columns, instead of randomly rearranging the wild symbols, when a plurality of wild symbols to be rearranged in the same one column, a character is caused to appear at one time with respect to the plurality of wild symbols, thereby rearranging the plurality of wild symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Takehisa Itagaki, Yoichi Kato, Daisyun Okamoto, Hiroki Munakata
  • Publication number: 20130310145
    Abstract: Provided is a gaming machine in which elaborate presentation effects for rearranging wild symbols are devised and which has a high game feeling. In the gaming machine, when the wild symbols are rearranged in a plurality of columns, on the condition that winning has occurred in a drawing, premium presentation effects are performed. When it is determined that the wild symbols are rearranged in the plurality of columns, the wild symbols are rearranged in each one column when the character appears at one time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Masumi Fujisawa, Takehisa Itagaki, Yoichi Kato, Daisyun Okamoto, Hiroki Munakata
  • Publication number: 20130310155
    Abstract: A reduction in amusement of gaming which may occur after providing a progressive bonus is suppressed. A gaming machine 1 conducts a revival drawing for a bonus game after finishing the bonus game. A revival winning probability after finishing a progressive bonus game is lower than that after finishing the other bonus games. In the gaming machine 1, it may be configured that the revival drawing after finishing the progressive bonus game is not conducted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Takehisa ITAGAKI, Yoichi KATO, Daisyun OKAMOTO, Hiroki MUNAKATA
  • Publication number: 20130084983
    Abstract: By rotating a lever, the upper limit of the angle of inclination and the lower limit of the angle of inclination of a movable range are detected by an inclination detection mechanism, and the upper limit of the angle of inclination and the lower limit of the angle of inclination are stored in a storage unit as the upper limit and the lower limit of the movable range. While a game is being run, the angle of inclination of the lever is detected when the lever is rotated. Whether the angle of inclination falls within the movable range is determined. When the angle is larger than the movable range, the upper limit of the angle of inclination is updated with the angle of inclination. When the angle is smaller than the movable range, the lower limit of the angle of inclination is updated with the angle of inclination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicants: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC ., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: FUJISAWA Masumi, Takehisa Itagaki, Kensaku Yoshikawa, Daisyun Okamoto, Hiroki Munakata
  • Patent number: 8409012
    Abstract: A gaming machine of the present invention collectively performs determination of a game result, sequentially in relation to a series of crap games until a game result other than a draw is to occur. Then, of game results of the series of crap games thus determined sequentially through collectively performed determination of game results, the gaming machine skips at least partially one or more game results each indicating a draw, and sequentially outputting remaining one or more game results to the slot machines 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Universal Entertaiment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Munakata, Makoto Miyawaki, Kazumasa Yoshizawa, Shinji Ogino
  • Publication number: 20130040719
    Abstract: Game qualification time may be set to allow participation in a common game from a basic game. This game qualification time is awarded in accordance with a bet amount stored in a RAM 243, after receiving a bet which is input by means of a 1-bet button 26 and a maximum bet button 27. A winning probability in a quick catch bonus game that occurs when a game result of the basic game is a predetermined game result is increased in accordance with the length of the game qualification time stored in a game qualification time management table in the RAM 243 (i.e., a basic quick catch bonus payout table is replaced with a special quick catch bonus payout table).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicants: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC., UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Takehisa ITAGAKI, Kensaku YOSHIKAWA, Daisyun OKAMOTO, Hiroki MUNAKATA
  • Publication number: 20130040723
    Abstract: A gaming terminal includes: a terminal image display panel; a lever-type operation device configured to receive an operation of a player; a support mechanism which rotatably supports the operation device at one end portion of the operation device and includes a restriction member configured to restrict inclination of the operation device, the restriction member being positioned so that the operation device abuts the restriction member when the operation device is inclined at a first angle; an inclination detecting mechanism which detects an angle of inclination of the operation device; and a controller which causes the terminal image display panel to output a predetermined sound and/or to give a visual indication to give a warning to the player when the angle of inclination of the operation device detected by the inclination detecting mechanism is greater than a second angle which is equal to or greater than the first angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicants: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Takehisa Itagaki, Kensaku Yoshikawa, Daisyun Okamoto, Hiroki Munakata, Gou Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8308541
    Abstract: A gaming machine for a betting card game including a main card game and an auxiliary card game and a method of controlling the same, including: by a controller, accepting a bet of a first wager for participation in the main card game; accepting a bet of a second wager as an option for participation in the auxiliary card game; determining an outcome of the main card game in accordance with a game rule for the main card game on a basis of at least two cards being displayed and disclosed for the main card game after termination of acceptance of a bet of the first wager; and determining an outcome of the auxiliary card game in accordance with a game rule for the auxiliary card game on a basis of first and second cards being displayed for the main card game after termination of acceptance of a bet of the second wager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroki Munakata
  • Publication number: 20120184369
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided which is capable of providing a rendering in such a manner that a story gradually extends together with a bonus game in a case where rendering processing is executed in parallel with the bonus game. The routine transfers to a free game, as triggered by establishment of a condition for rearranging a specific symbol in a base game. Next, the routine transfers to a bonus game, as triggered by establishment of a first transfer condition in the free game. Then, the routine transfers to another free game, as triggered by establishment of a second transfer condition in the bonus game. In this manner, an extended game loop in which the free game and the bonus game enter extended games is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Takehisa ITAGAKI, Hiroki Munakata, Masumi Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20120115614
    Abstract: A plurality of gaming terminals each having a terminal display on which a plurality of symbols are lined up, a plurality of upper displays forming a single common effect image display screen constituted by gaming terminal areas corresponding to the respective gaming terminals, and a center controller are included. The center controller determines whether a common game is being run when an independent special game is started, and produces an effect in the gaming terminal area corresponding to the gaming terminal, only when the common game is not being run.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki MUNAKATA, Kenta SUGANO, Daisyun OKAMOTO, Masumi FUJISAWA, Takehisa ITAGAKI
  • Publication number: 20120115611
    Abstract: A plurality of gaming terminals provided in a parallel manner, a plurality of upper displays which are provided in a parallel manner independently from the gaming terminals and form a single common effect display screen, a plurality of display controllers controlling image display on the respective upper displays, and a center controller controlling the display controllers are provided. The center controller controls the display controllers so that the upper displays perform image display as one common effect display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Munakata, Kenta Sugano, Daisyun Okamoto, Masumi Fujisawa, Takehisa Itagaki
  • Publication number: 20120115613
    Abstract: When a common game condition is established, at least one of the following games is run: a first common game in which a participating gaming terminal is able to win a bonus type more than once and a payout based on a unit payout amount corresponding to the bonus type that the gaming terminal wins is awarded to the gaming terminal; a second common game in which a participating gaming terminal is able to win a bonus type more than once and a payout based on the number of winnings is awarded to the gaming terminal; and a third common game in which one of the participating gaming terminals is able to win one of the predetermined bonus types and a payout is awarded to the gaming terminal which wins said one of the bonus types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation, Ariake Frontier Building
    Inventors: Hiroki MUNAKATA, Kenta SUGANO, Daisyun OKAMOTO, Masumi FUJISAWA, Takehisa ITAGAKI
  • Publication number: 20120115563
    Abstract: A gaming machine of the present invention stores a bet area on which a bet is placed and a game value placed as the bet in each gaming terminal, rotates and stops the wheel to determine a resulting symbol from the plurality of symbols, awards a payout based on the resulting symbol and the odds set for the bet area on which the bet is placed in the gaming terminal, and then adjusts the payout rate by changing the odds set for the bet areas in the gaming terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicants: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC., UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuhiro KIDO, Hiroki MUNAKATA