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: 8622813
    Abstract: A game system of the present invention serves to: (a) compare a first predetermined count predetermined for first identification information with a reception count of input data, based upon the first identification information included in the input data of a first gaming machine among the plurality of gaming machines, and thereafter, execute a random determination process as to whether or not to award a first prize, in a case where the reception count has reached the first predetermined count; and (b) compare a second predetermined count predetermined for second identification information with a reception count of input data, based upon the second identification information included in the input data of a second gaming machine among the plurality of gaming machines, and thereafter, execute a random determination process as to whether or not to award a second prize, in a case where the reception count has reached the second predetermined count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8622804
    Abstract: A gaming machine runs a base game in which symbols 501 are rearranged and a base payout is awarded according to the rearranged symbols 501, when a game value is bet, runs a bonus game in which the symbols 501 are rearranged with a higher payout rate than that of the game and a bonus payout is awarded according to the rearranged symbols 501, if the symbols 501 are rearranged in a predetermined condition in the base game, makes an insurance bet by using at least a part of the bonus payout awarded in the bonus game, determines whether a rescue start condition is established, if the insurance bet has been made, and performs a rescue process if the rescue start condition has been established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8616949
    Abstract: In the gaming machine according to the present invention, an attribute of a card to be compared with an attribute of a player additional card is determined. In a case where a side bet is placed, a result of the side game is determined by determining whether or not the attribute of the player additional card is same as the determined attribute. The additional payout is offered based on the determined result of the side game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Publication number: 20130310177
    Abstract: A game playing information integration system which outputs the operation state of game units installed in a gaming facility, the proportions of visitors by type, and the trends of the greatest common preferences of visitors seen from the proportion and other information so that such information can be grasped in real time, and provides useful information for appropriately managing the operation and management of the gaming facility while achieving greater harmony of players and the gaming facility (shop) is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Publication number: 20130310173
    Abstract: A display device for a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: 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 guide; and a driving unit configured to drive the first sliding door
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi JOKO, Hiroatsu IKE, Kenta KITAMURA, Kazuo OKADA
  • Publication number: 20130310138
    Abstract: A gaming machine including a plurality of reels, a first driver, a rendering device, a second driver, and a controller is provided. Each of the reels spins and rearranges a plurality of symbols in a game, and the first driver drive the reels. The rendering device renders a visual effect in synchronization with an operation of the reels, and the second driver drives the rendering device. The controller controls the reels and the rendering device and synchronizes the operation of the reels and an operation of the rendering device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta KITAMURA, Masumi Fujisawa, Hiroki Saito, Hiroatsu Ike, Satoshi Joko, Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8526034
    Abstract: A data output device according to the present invention comprises: an output device capable of outputting an image and/or a sound; a memory which stores a plurality of types of output data for outputting the image and/or the sound; a receiver for receiving, from a slot machine, a trigger signal including specification information for specifying the output data; and a controller, the controller programmed to conduct the processes of: (A) receiving the trigger signal from the slot machine through the receiver; and (B) extracting, from the memory, an output data corresponding to the specification information included in the trigger signal and causing the output device to output the image and/or the sound based on the extracted output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8485895
    Abstract: A game server controls plural game machine groups including a collection of game machines, each of which is brought into a status enabling to start a game based on a thrown coin or a given credit number and is given a payout according to a result of the game. The game server includes a processing unit that judges whether a cumulative credit consumption of a predetermined game machine group reaches a predetermined upper limit, based on information about credit consumptions of the plural game machine groups. The game server also includes a communication interface that sends, when the processing unit judges that the cumulative credit consumption of the predetermined game machine group reaches the predetermined upper limit, a return signal for executing a return based on a predetermined return rate, to one game machine of the predetermined game machine group. The return is executed regardless of a game result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8475269
    Abstract: A controller is provided which includes: a function whereby a video image is randomly determined with respect to a mini game to be displayed on a display each time the mini game is executed; a function whereby the determined video image is extracted from memory and displayed on the display; a function whereby determination is randomly made as to whether the points associated with the displayed video image are to be added to the accumulated points; a function whereby, in a case that determination has been made that the points are to be added to the accumulated points, the points are added to the accumulated points, thereby updating the accumulated points; and a function whereby, after the mini game has been executed a predetermined number of times, the number of free games is determined according to the updated accumulated points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8475271
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a control and management device which determines a link attraction based on gaming information sent from each of a plurality of gaming apparatuses. The control and management device identifies a target gaming apparatus in which a prize is generated and at least one neighboring gaming apparatus, based on the gaming information. The control and management device judges whether the link attraction for the plurality of gaming apparatuses has already been determined, when the gaming information is winning information. Further, the control and management device determines the link attraction by reference to a link attraction mode lottery table stored in a memory, if it is determined the link attraction has not yet been determined. The control and management device determines a unit number and, subsequently, sends the link attraction to the target gaming apparatus with the unit number and the at least one neighboring gaming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8454433
    Abstract: A device for reading information data recording medium, which is capable of reducing failure to take an IC card that is ejected from a gaming machine, is provided. When it is determined that the information data recording medium exists at an eject position and when it is determined that a player does not exist, the information data recording medium is carried from the eject position to a housing position by means of a carrying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Okada, Jun Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8430742
    Abstract: A gaming machine including a display, an operating unit, and a controller is provided. The display displays a plurality of symbols in a base game to display a bonus game image in a bonus game, and displays an award according to a game result. The operating unit accepts an operation of a player. The controller executes the base game, awards a payout according to a game result of the base game to the player, triggers the bonus game including a plurality of unit games when a combination of the symbols in the base game satisfies a predetermined condition, selects any one mode for each unit game among a plurality of modes including an automatic mode and a technical mode of each unit game, executes each unit game in a corresponding selected mode, and awards a payout according to a game result of the bonus game to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8414378
    Abstract: A gaming machine according to the present invention comprises a display on which plural types of symbols are to be arranged; a memory for storing an accumulative value, which is accumulated by unit game to activate a plurality of insurance pays and has a first threshold value and a second threshold value, and a plurality of payout value of the insurance pays, which is stored in associated with the first threshold value and the second threshold value of the accumulative value; and a controller. Where the accumulative value accumulated by unit game in which the plural types of symbols are rearranged on the display has reached the first threshold value, a first insurance pay is activated in accordance with a payout value associated with the first threshold value. The accumulative value is further counted in such each unit game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Okada, Kenta Sugano
  • Patent number: 8398478
    Abstract: The gaming machine: counts the number of base games having been run; causes shifting to a second state which is more advantageous for a player than the base game, when a first predetermined number of base games is counted without shifting to the first state which is more advantageous for the player than the base game; runs a skill-requiring game after the second state, which game outputs a result according to an operation from outside, and increases or decreases a second predetermined number according to a result of the skill-requiring game; runs the base game after the skill-requiring game; and causes shifting to a third state which is more advantageous for the player than the base game, when the increased or decreased second predetermined number of base games having run are counted after the skill-requiring game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8382573
    Abstract: A gaming system of the present invention includes: an input device which starts a base game awarding a payout according to a given winning; a data storage device storing special game condition data which defines, within a given value range, a plurality of sub ranges respectively allotted to special game conditions or “No Special Game” meaning no special game is run, each of the special game conditions being associated with an average payout different from those associated with the other conditions. In the system, a random number is sampled based on an input from the input device. A base game is run using the random number, and a payout according to a resulted winning is awarded. One of the sub ranges each allotted to one of the special game conditions or “No Special Game” is selected, based on a given condition with reference to the random number and the special game condition data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Okada, Hiroki Abe
  • Patent number: 8371926
    Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention comprises: a symbol display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols; an input device configured so as to output a detection signal when operated by a player; an output device for an image or a sound; and a controller programmed to execute 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 stop-displayed symbols 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; an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8353766
    Abstract: During a slot machine game, game effects are also displayed on a liquid crystal panel 39d provided in a reel display window unit 39, and thus the liquid crystal panel 39d serves as a new machine component for performing game effects. Therefore, new effects for the game can be performed on the liquid crystal panel 39d, which facilitates maintaining the novelty of game effects. Furthermore, the diffusion sheet 39f and the light guiding plate 39g are formed with openings 5a, 6a and 7a and openings 5b, 6b and 7b respectively for allowing the symbols variably displayed on the reels to be observed. As a result, there are decreased obstacles, interposed, in such a way as to prevent the light from passing through, between the transparent acryl plate 39a and the reels 2-4 on which the light is variably displayed. Therefore, the visibility of the symbols variably displayed on the reels 2-4 is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8342936
    Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention includes a controller programmed to execute (C) counting the number of games played after shifting to an 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) displaying a normal effect image to the image display device in each game until the number of games counted in the processing (C) reaches a notice set value, and displaying a winning effect image according to these symbols stop-displayed or the combination thereof, and (F) displaying a specific effect image to the image display device in place of the normal effect image in each game when the number of games counted in the processing (C) reaches the notice set value, without displaying the winning effect image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Publication number: 20120309491
    Abstract: The present invention provides players with fun brought by a moveable component. A gaming machine 1 comprises a game result determination unit, determining a game result; a game execution unit, executing a game in such a manner as to reach the game result; a moveable component, disposed at a position visible from outside, and configured to be capable of mechanical movement; and a movement control unit, enabling the moveable component to move in a movement pattern corresponding to the game result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuo OKADA
  • Publication number: 20120309502
    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 1 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: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuo OKADA