Patents by Inventor Kazuo Okada

Kazuo Okada 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: 7980940
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a roulette wheel including a plurality of pockets associated with respective numbers in advance; a memory for storing a plurality of control data for controlling the gaming apparatus so as to provide different weights on probabilities that a ball is housed in each of the pockets; and a controller, the controller controlling rotation of the roulette wheel and launching of the ball by referring to a single control data out of the control data, and selecting another control data different from the single control data, out of the plurality of control data, to set the selected control data as a reference target, when said ball is housed in a predetermined pocket belonging to a single group controlled so as to have a relatively high housing probability by said single control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7980941
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a roulette wheel including a plurality of pockets associated with respective numbers in advance; a memory for storing a plurality of control data for controlling the gaming apparatus so as to provide a relatively high weight on a probability that a ball is housed in any of the pockets constituting a single group, the single group belonging to a plurality of groups each of which consists of a first predetermined-number of the plurality of pockets, and the plurality of control data associated with each of the groups; a plurality of stations for players to play games; and a controller, the controller programmed to execute the following processings of: (a) controlling rotation of the roulette wheel and launching of the ball by referring to a single control data out of the plurality of control data, and (b) selecting another control data different from the single control data, out of the plurality of control data, to set the selected control data
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7980944
    Abstract: In a gaming machine of the present invention, a processing device executes: a processing reading from a storage device a program for shifting the game state from a without-insurance mode to a with-insurance mode on condition that a specific number of game media have been inserted, and then executing the program; a processing reading from the storage device a program for providing the player with a predetermined profit when a predetermined variable, accumulatively counted every time a game is played after the game state has been shifted to the with-insurance mode, reaches a set value that is an object of comparison with the predetermined variable, and then executing the program; and a processing reading from the storage device a program for shifting the game state from the with-insurance mode to the without-insurance mode when a result of the game in the with-insurance mode satisfies a predetermined condition, and then executing the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7972206
    Abstract: A gaming machine capable of maintaining the interest of a player even when the gaming machine does not work normally. For, example, a slot machine (10) comprises a display device (30) for displaying an image, and an image state control unit for controlling the display device (30) to display an image relating to a game. The slot machine (10) may be characterized in that the image state control unit controls the display device into a predetermined state upon determination that an image signal relating to the image provided to the display device fails to satisfy a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7972208
    Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention comprises: a symbol display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols; an image display device; and a controller, the controller programmed to conduct the processing of: (A) executing a game in which the plurality of symbols are variably displayed and then stop-displayed to the symbol display device after game media are BET in number equal to or less than a previously set maximum number of BETs, and game media are paid out in number according to the plurality of symbols stop-displayed or a combination thereof; (B) shifting a mode from a non-insurance mode to an insurance mode on condition that a predetermined number of game media is inserted; (C) counting the number of games played after shifting to the insurance mode, in the insurance mode; (D) paying out a predetermined number of game media when the number of games counted in the processing (C) reaches a specific number; (E) shifting the mode from the insurance mode to the non-insurance mode, when t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Publication number: 20110159950
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprising a switch to be operated to switch the payout rates of the gaming machine that repeatedly executes a unit game, and a controller that executes processing to make the duration time required for the unit game from start to end, which is started when the payout rate is switched from a first payout rate to a second payout rate higher than the first payout rate by the operation of the switch, shorter than that when the payout rate is switched to the first payout rate. When the payout rate of the gaming machine is switched from the first payout rate to the second payout rate higher than the former by the operation of the switch, the duration time required for the unit game from start to end which is started after the switching becomes shorter than that required for the unit game that is started at the time of the first payout rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicants: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo OKADA
  • Publication number: 20110124405
    Abstract: A game system is provided which is capable of continuing a game without a player feeling inconvenience even in a case where a basic currency at hand is lost. This game system includes: a bill identifying apparatus for identifying bills of different currencies and an amount of the bills and then outputting data representing the identified result; a player tracking device which is integrated with each of gaming machines, for converting data outputted from the bill identifying apparatus to credit data for executing a game, based on an exchange rate; and an information card device which is integrated with the player tracking device, the information card device causing an information card to store data equivalent to an amount awarded to a player in accordance with a game result of the gaming machines and sending out the credit data for executing the game to the gaming machines, based on the data equivalent to the amount read from the information card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Okada, Jun Fujimoto, Takao Nireki, Kunihiro Manabe, Noritoshi Kukita
  • Publication number: 20110111832
    Abstract: When a predetermined amount of credits have been inserted into a slot machine, the game mode is switched from the non-insurance mode to the insurance mode according to the player's input operation via a touch panel. In the insurance mode, determination is made whether or not the amount of bet credits matches the maximum bet amount. When determination has been made that the amount of bet credits matches the maximum bet amount, the number of games is counted after switching of the game mode to the insurance mode. When the counted number of games reaches a predetermined number, a predetermined amount of credits is paid out. Furthermore, in this case, only in a case where determination has been made that the amount of credits bet on the game matches the maximum bet amount, the difference between the counted number of games and the predetermined number is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuo OKADA
  • Patent number: 7934985
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a roulette wheel including a plurality of pockets associated with respective numbers in advance; a memory for storing a plurality of control data for controlling the gaming apparatus so as to provide different weights on probabilities that a ball is housed in each of the pockets; a plurality of stations for a player to play games; and a controller, said controller being programmed to execute the following processings (a) and (b): (a) controlling rotation of the roulette wheel and launching of the ball by referring to a single control data out of the control data, and (b) selecting another control data different from the single control data, out of the plurality of control data, to set the selected control data as a reference target, when the balance between the total sum of the currency value inserted at the plurality of stations and the total sum of the currency value paid out from the plurality of stations reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7927207
    Abstract: In a gaming machine provided with a function called “super time (ST),” which may change the amount of payout coins, a player moves his sight from a displayed stopping order to a displayed reel during such Super Time (ST) game. In order to prevent fatigue by the sight movement, an image display device is provided with a transparent liquid crystal for image attractions and a liquid crystal film for an electronic shutter. They are laminated and disposed in front of the main reel. The electronic shutter can shield an area partially with a software in reference to a gaming status. For example, the electronic shutter does not shield the area and an image attraction is executed since the player may not make an observation push. For the image attraction after the complete reel stop, the electronic shutter shields the area so as to show a clear attraction image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Aruze Corp.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7922572
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a roulette wheel including a plurality of pockets associated with respective numbers in advance; a memory for storing a plurality of control data for controlling the gaming apparatus so as to provide different weights on probabilities that a ball is housed in each of the pockets; and a controller, the controller controlling rotation of the roulette wheel and launching of the ball by referring to a single control data out of the control data, and selecting another control data different from the single control data, out of the plurality of control data, and setting the selected control data as a reference target, when the number of games cumulatively counted every time a game is played reaches a predetermined number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7922574
    Abstract: When the number of bets is determined and a game is started, reels start spinning. After a lapse of a predetermined time, fifteen symbols are repositioned in symbol display regions. By dragging and dropping a repositioned symbol to a crater of a volcano, a performance character, an animation effect to represent a volcanic eruption of the volcano and a sound effect corresponding to a volcanic eruption sound of the volcano are outputted. In case the symbol is dragged and dropped to the outside of a display, a warning sign is indicated as well as a warning sound is outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7918726
    Abstract: When the number of bets is determined and a game is started, reels start spinning. After a lapse of a predetermined time, fifteen symbols are repositioned in symbol display regions. Particularly, in case a “RED7” symbol or a “BLUE7” symbol is included in the repositioned symbols, an animation effect to represent a volcanic eruption of a volcano, a performance character, and a sound effect corresponding to a volcanic eruption sound of the volcano are outputted by dragging and dropping the “RED7” symbol or “BLUE7” symbol to a crater of the volcano.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7896738
    Abstract: When the number of bets is determined and a game is started, reels start spinning. After a lapse of a predetermined time, fifteen symbols are repositioned in symbol display regions. Particularly, in case a “RED7” symbol or a “BLUE7” symbol is included in the repositioned symbols, an animation effect to represent a volcanic eruption of a volcano, a performance character, and a sound effect corresponding to a volcanic eruption sound of the volcano are outputted by dragging and dropping the “RED7” symbol or “BLUE7” symbol to a crater of the volcano.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7892082
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a roulette wheel including a plurality of pockets associated with respective numbers in advance; a memory for storing a plurality of control data for controlling the gaming apparatus so as to provide different weights on probabilities that a ball is housed in each of the pockets; and a controller, the controller controlling rotation of the roulette wheel and launching of the ball by referring to a single control data out of the control data, determining a number corresponding to one of said pockets with said ball housed therein as a winning number, determining whether or not to offer a prize based on the determined winning number and a BET placed by a player, and selecting another control data different from the single control data, out of the plurality of control data, and setting the selected control data as a reference target, when determining that the prize is to be offered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7892086
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises: multiple slot machines each of which provides a basic game of a kind that differs from those of the other slot machines; and a second gaming device which is a separate device from the multiple slot machines, and which provides a roulette game. The gaming system further comprises a central controller. With such an arrangement, in the case that a “BONUS” symbol combination has come to a stop along an active pay line in a basic game at any one of the slot machines, the central controller receives a second game start signal from this slot machine. Also, the central controller receives payout data for the basic game from the multiple slot machines at a predetermined timing, and determines a payout for the second game based upon the payout data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7892083
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a roulette wheel including a plurality of pockets associated with respective numbers in advance; a memory for storing a plurality of control data for controlling the gaming apparatus so as to provide different weights on probabilities that a ball is housed in each of the pockets; and a controller, the controller controlling rotation of the roulette wheel and launching of the ball by referring to a single control data out of the control data, cumulatively accumulating part of betted currency value as a jackpot, and selecting another control data different from the single control data, out of the plurality of control data, and setting the selected control data as a reference target, when the accumulated jackpot reaches a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7887410
    Abstract: When a predetermined amount of credits have been inserted into a slot machine, the game mode is switched from the non-insurance mode to the insurance mode according to the player's input operation via a touch panel. In the insurance mode, determination is made whether or not the amount of bet credits matches the maximum bet amount. When determination has been made that the amount of bet credits matches the maximum bet amount, the number of games is counted after switching of the game mode to the insurance mode. When the counted number of games reaches a predetermined number, a predetermined amount of credits is paid out. Furthermore, in this case, only in a case where determination has been made that the amount of credits bet on the game matches the maximum bet amount, the difference between the counted number of games and the predetermined number is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 7883404
    Abstract: The slot machine fixes symbols selected by the player's operation to press a touch panel and symbols next to selected symbols which coincide with selected symbols, and scrolls symbols other than fixed symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Publication number: 20100317428
    Abstract: A server is provided with an input device with which an input for selecting a minimum bet unit out of a plurality of minimum bet units can be made. Minimum bet unit information indicative of the selected minimum bet information is transmitted to a gaming machine. On receiving the minimum bet unit information, the minimum bet unit in the gaming machine having received the minimum bet unit information is changed to the minimum bet unit selected in the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicants: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo OKADA