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).
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Publication number: 20110306403Abstract: When a coin is bet, symbols are rearranged in several areas. A winning is determined on the basis of the rearranged symbols. A golf game is randomly started. A point is awarded to a player depending on a golf game result. A free game is continued depending on the awarded point.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Kazuo Okada
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Patent number: 8075394Abstract: A gaming machine has a receiving unit which externally receives game rate data and setting unit which sets a game rate based on the game rate data received by the receiving unit. In the gaming machine, processing relating to a game is performed based on the game rate set by the setting unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2005Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Universal Entertainment CorporationInventors: Kazuo Okada, Masatsugu Kobayashi, Toshiya Ogawa, Mayumi Takeda
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Patent number: 8075378Abstract: In a horse race gaming machine 1, a performance point is calculated on each of the player's racehorses, based on the results of respective racing games (S501). The number of wins, the number of races, a winning percentage, best time, etc. by the racehorses are taken into consideration when calculating the performance point. If the performance point satisfies a predetermined condition (S502: YES), an expense that was paid about that the player is an owner of a racehorse is refunded to the player (S503). The expense includes, for example, a credit amount which is required of the player to purchase a racehorse, or includes a credit amount or the points which is required of the player to make a race entry in a racing game for the player's racehorse.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.Inventor: Kazuo Okada
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Patent number: 8062118Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention comprises: a symbol display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols; and a controller, the 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; and (E) clearing the number of games counted in the processing (C), when a game is played in which game media are paiType: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Universal Entertainment CorporationInventor: Kazuo Okada
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Publication number: 20110281632Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.Inventor: Kazuo OKADA
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Patent number: 8052508Abstract: In a horse race gaming machine 1, when a regular denomination process of S201 is executed, a regular BET image, wherein the minimum bet amount a player can specify is “1”, is displayed on a sub monitor 113 of a station 101. In the meantime, when a high denomination process of S208 is executed, a high BET image, wherein the minimum bet amount a player can specify is “2”, is displayed instead of the regular BET image, on the sub monitor 113 of the station 101. For executing the high denomination process of S208, for example, such conditions should be satisfied as the player has become an owner of any racehorse (S202: YES), and the racehorse whose owner is the player is going to run in this racing game (S202-2: YES).Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.Inventor: Kazuo Okada
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Patent number: 8052509Abstract: In a horse race gaming machine 1, a performance point is calculated on each of the player's racehorses, based on the results of respective racing games (S501). The number of wins, the number of races, a winning percentage, best time, etc. by the racehorses are taken into consideration when calculating the performance point. If the performance point satisfies a predetermined condition (S505: YES), a part or all of a jackpot prize amount is awarded to the player (S506). However, a side bet must be made for this racing game in order that a part or all of the jackpot prize amount is awarded to the player (S502: YES). Incidentally, to have a player's racehorse run in this racing game, there may be a case that the player is required to pay an entry point given to the player in accordance with BET amount specified by the player.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.Inventor: Kazuo Okada
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Patent number: 8052510Abstract: In a horse race gaming machine 1, when a regular denomination process of S201 is executed, a regular BET image, wherein the minimum bet amount a player can specify is “1”, is displayed on a sub monitor 113 of a station 101. In the meantime, when a high denomination process of S208 is executed, a high BET image, wherein the minimum bet amount a player can specify is “2”, is displayed instead of the regular BET image, on the sub monitor 113 of the station 101. For executing the high denomination process of S208, for example, a player has to insert an IC card 119 into a reader/writer 118 (S203: YES), and further, the player has to touch a high button in the regular BET image of the sub monitor 113 (S207: YES).Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.Inventor: Kazuo Okada
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Publication number: 20110269527Abstract: A part of credits paid by the player is accumulated when a plurality of symbols are displayed by a scrolling display and then rearranged in a prescribed combination, and a stop switch is set active only in a case where a predetermined combination is determined. When a plurality of symbols are rearranged in a combination of jackpot symbols in relation to a timing of an input by a player, a payout of the accumulated credits is made. Consequently, the reels can be stopped by an operation of the player himself, and in a case where a combination of the stopped symbols is a combination associated with a payout, a payout can be received as a reward, so that the player's interest to the game can be increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Kazuo OKADA
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Patent number: 8038526Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Universal Entertainment CorporationInventor: Kazuo Okada
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Patent number: 8033907Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention comprises: a symbol display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols; and a controller, the 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) conducting a payout of a predetermined number of game media which accompanies the number of games reaching a specific number, and also conducting payout of game media in number according to the stop-displayed symbols or a combination thereof, in aType: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Universal Entertainment CorporationInventor: Kazuo Okada
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Patent number: 8025563Abstract: With regard to a slot machine, in a case that a predetermined amount of credits has been inserted, the game mode is switched from a non-insurance mode to an insurance mode according to the player's input operation via a touch panel. The number of games is counted in the insurance mode. When the counted number of games has reached a predetermined number, a predetermined amount of credits is paid out. In the insurance mode, determination of whether or not the game stage is to be switched to the bonus game stage is made based upon a value determined at random. When the game stage has been switched to the bonus game stage, the counted number of games is reset.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Universal Entertainment CorporationInventor: Kazuo Okada
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Patent number: 8021225Abstract: When a predetermined amount of credits has been inserted into a slot machine, the game mode is switched from a non-insurance mode to an insurance mode according to the player's input operation via a touch panel. In the insurance mode, the number of games is counted. When the counted game number has reached a predetermined number, a predetermined amount of credits is paid out. In a case where the amount of credits paid out according to the rearranged symbols is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the counted number of games is reset. On the other hand, the predetermined amount is changed based on the change in the maximum bet amount according to the input operation via a setting change switch, which allows the set value of the maximum bet amount to be changed.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Universal Entertainment CorporationInventor: Kazuo Okada
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Patent number: 8016669Abstract: 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, since the peripheral corner portions in the rear side of the apertures 5c, 6c and 7c formed in the rear holder 39h are removed therefrom, the peripheral portions are prevented from being recognized by the player when a player observes the reels 2-4 behind the liquid crystal panel 39d through the transparent acryl plate 39a. Accordingly, the thickness of the rear holder 39h and the thickness of the entire reel display window unit 39 draw no attention of the player.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2003Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Aruze Corp.Inventor: Kazuo Okada
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Patent number: 8002632Abstract: In a collective control of plural game machines placed in the same parlor, it is detected whether there is player change on each game machine and, based on the detection result, the credit cumulative consumption on each game machine is managed player by player. When the credit cumulative consumption of a certain player reaches a predetermined upper limit, payout return is executed to this player. The display status and non-display status of information about the upper limit can be switched depending on the play status. Therefore, the player can perform a game without anxiety while enjoying amusement of the game. As the result, the problem of missing customers is eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Universal Entertainment CorporationInventor: Kazuo Okada
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Publication number: 20110201424Abstract: A slot machine has a frontward projecting portion which is projected frontward of the slot machine from a lower end of a main display provided in a cabinet. The frontward projecting portion has an armrest, a control panel, etc., each of which serves as a human contact portion which comes in contact with a part of a player's body. The lower end of a display surface of the main display is positioned lower than the human contact portions (armrest and control panel).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicants: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.Inventors: Kazuo Okada, Masaki Matsuno, Jun Hirato, Tetsuya Yokota
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Patent number: 7988548Abstract: For a number of execution times of roulette game in a roulette game machine (1), if the number of land-in times at a prescribed numbered pocket (23) has become equal to or greater than a reference time number, then from among a plurality of control data sets such a control data set that is different from a current control data set is determined to be referred to.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.Inventor: Kazuo Okada
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Patent number: 7986021Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device that solves a problem of reflection of a pattern of a wiring formed on a back surface of a semiconductor substrate on an output image. A reflection layer is formed between a light receiving element and a wiring layer, that reflects an infrared ray toward a light receiving element the without transmitting it to the wiring layer, the infrared ray entering from a light transparent substrate toward the wiring layer through a semiconductor substrate. The reflection layer is formed at least in a region under the light receiving element uniformly or only under the light receiving element. Alternatively, an anti-reflection layer having a function of absorbing the entering infrared ray to prevent transmission thereof may be formed instead of the reflection layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Okada, Katsuhiko Kitagawa, Takashi Noma, Shigeki Otsuka, Hiroshi Yamada, Shinzo Ishibe, Yuichi Morita, Noboru Okubo, Hiroyuki Shinogi, Mitsuru Okigawa
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Patent number: 7985131Abstract: 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 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; and (E) displaying an image showing that the current gaming state is the insurance mode, inType: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Universal Entertainment CorporationInventor: Kazuo Okada
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Patent number: 7980939Abstract: 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 the pockets with the 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, determining whether or not to generate a predetermined bonus different from the prize, 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 predetType: GrantFiled: June 1, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.Inventor: Kazuo Okada