Patents by Inventor Kenta Kitamura

Kenta Kitamura 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).

  • GAMING MACHINE THAT PROGRESSES THE GAMES FROM BASE GAMES TO FEATURE GAMES
    Publication number: 20150024824
    Abstract: Provided is a gaming machine that can entertain a player by developing various game results after entering a feature game mode from a base game mode. The gaming machine progresses the games as follows: in base games, if trigger symbols appearing at rearrangement of symbols complete a specific arrangement pattern, the games are changed from base games into roulette games. In roulette games, the maximum number of lotteries is determined based on the arrangement pattern of the trigger symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Kenta KITAMURA, Kensaku Yoshikawa, Tatsuya Teranishi
  • GAMING MACHINE
    Publication number: 20150018092
    Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: at least one display panel configured to display images of a game, the display panel including a screen facing downward; at least one beam splitter disposed under the display panel and inclined with respect to the screen to partially reflect the images from the display panel into a forward direction; and a controller configured to execute the game and to control the display panel, wherein an image from each of the at least one display panel is reflected by at least one of the at least one beam splitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Jun Hirato, Takashi Izawa, Keita Shimura
  • GAMING MACHINE
    Publication number: 20150009575
    Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first display panel configured to display game images of a game, the first display panel including a screen facing downward; a plurality of first beam splitters disposed under the first display panel and inclined with respect to the screen to partially reflect the images from the first the display panel into a forward direction; a background image generator disposed rear to the first beam splitters and generating background images, the background images from the background image generator passing through the first beam splitters toward the forward direction to overlap the game images; and a controller configured to execute the game and to control the first display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Jun Hirato, Takashi Izawa, Keita Shimura
  • Gaming machine with dice shaking unit performing dice shaking motions with varying amplitudes
    Patent number: 8926438
    Abstract: Provided is a gaming machine having a cabinet. Between the back as a back face and the right side face of the sides of the cabinet, the gaming machine has a right end side, which is formed by cutting a plane parallel to the gravitational direction in a manner to join lines spaced at predetermined distances in the individual directions of the back and the right side face from a line of intersection, on which the back and the right side face intersect when extended. The gaming machine also has a left end side between the back and a left side face. Moreover, the right end side and the left end side are symmetric with respect to a plane dividing the cabinet equally to the right and left.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Sasaki, Akira Shimizu, Katsuhiro Kido, Kenta Kitamura, Hideaki Kishi, Hiroatsu Ike
  • GAMING MACHINE HAVING PLURAL GAMING MODES
    Publication number: 20140370962
    Abstract: A gaming machine which can control the tempo of the game to refresh the player while maintaining continuity of the game, enhancing entertainingness and amusement of the game, and encouraging the player's sense of achievements. The input unit receives an instruction related to a game. The memory stores a first symbol determination table causing that a specific symbol appears among rearranged symbols on the symbol display unit with a first probability and a second symbol determination table causing that the specific symbol appears among the rearranged symbols with a second probability higher than the first probability. The controller starts the game in response to the instruction received through the input unit to execute the game in a normal mode and shifting the normal mode to a chance mode according to the game result in the normal mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: AKIRA OSAWA, TATSUYA TERANISHI, TAKESHI ISO, KENTA KITAMURA
  • Gaming Machine
    Publication number: 20140349735
    Abstract: Probability of prize occurrence is easily controlled without provision of a blank between symbols on a reel. A gaming machine 300 includes a lower image display panel 141 configured to variable-display symbol arrays 170 each including a plurality of normal symbols 501 and a plurality of crest symbols 502 arranged among the normal symbols 501, and then rearrange the normal symbols 501 and the blank symbols 502 in a symbol display region 150 having a matrix of cells. The gaming machine 300 generates a line win or a scatter win when the normal symbols 501 are rearranged on the lower image display panel 141 in a predetermined manner, and generates a crest win which is lower than the line win and the scatter win when a predetermined number or more of the crest symbols 502 are rearranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Kenta KITAMURA, Hiroki SAITO
  • GAMING MACHINE
    Publication number: 20140342794
    Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel configured to display images of a game, the display panel including a screen facing downward; a partial mirror disposed under the display panel and inclined with respect to the screen to partially reflect the images from the display panel into a forward direction; and a controller configured to execute the game and to control the display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Jun Hirato, Takashi Izawa, Keita Shimura
  • GAMING MACHINE AND GAMING METHOD
    Publication number: 20140342796
    Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a reel assembly including a plurality of reels that includes basic reels and an extra reel including a plurality of symbols; and a controller configured to: execute a first lottery with the basic reels in a game round; execute a second lottery to determine whether the extra reel spins in the game round; execute a third lottery to select one of the symbols on the extra reel when it is determined that the extra reel spins in the game round; control the basic reels to spin and stop in the game round; and control the extra reel to start spinning before the basic reels stop spinning in the game round.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Kenta KITAMURA, Hiroki SAITO, Kensaku YOSHIKAWA, Kou KOBAYASHI
  • GAMING MACHINE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
    Publication number: 20140342803
    Abstract: A gaming machine 10 has: a display device 12 configured to display a plurality of symbols to be continuously arranged; and a controller 30. The controller 30 executes the processing operations of: (a1) executing game processing and then according to a result of the game processing, determining whether or not to scroll at least one array of the symbols; (a2) scrolling the symbol array according to a result of the determination; and (a3) carrying out processing according to a result of the scroll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Kenta KITAMURA, YOICHI KATO, MAKOTO MIYAWAKI, HIROMOTO YAMAUCHI
  • GAMING MACHINE AND GAMING METHOD
    Publication number: 20140342797
    Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a reel assembly including basic reels including a plurality of basic symbols and an extra reel including a plurality of extra symbols; and a controller configured to: control the basic reels and the extra reel; execute a first lottery with the basic reels to determine a win or a loss of a game; execute a second lottery to select one of the extra symbols; and control the extra reel to spin and stop to show the selected one of the extra symbols, wherein the plurality of extra symbols include a multiplier symbol multiplying a win prize of the game, an effect symbol used in an effect of the game, a determinant symbol determining a number of free rounds in a free mode of the game, and an adder symbol adding extra free rounds in the free mode of the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Kenta KITAMURA, Kensaku YOSHIKAWA, Kou KOBAYASHI
  • GAMING MACHINE AND GAMING METHOD
    Publication number: 20140342798
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes: a reel assembly including a basic reel and an extra reel for a game, the extra reel including an effect symbol; an image display configured to display an character image related to the game; and a controller configured to: execute a first lottery for the game with the basic reels; execute a second lottery for the game with the extra reel; determine whether the extra reel shows the effect symbol; control the basic reels and the image display; and control the extra reel to move in connection with a movement of the character image on the image display when it is determined that the extra reel shows the effect symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Kenta KITAMURA, Kensaku YOSHIKAWA, Kou KOBAYASHI
  • REEL BAND FOR GAMING MACHINE AND GAMING MACHINE
    Publication number: 20140339768
    Abstract: To provide a reel device for a gaming machine capable of increasing a reel illumination effect by varying illumination onto the reel. A reel band which is attached to a rotatable reel of a gaming machine includes a base sheet, a light reflecting sheet which has a reflecting surface reflecting light from a front surface side and is superimposed on the base sheet, and a light diffusing sheet which has a light refracting surface, which transmits light and refracts light to be transmitted in multiple directions, and is superimposed on the light reflecting sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenta KITAMURA, Motomichi SATO, Susumu MIO
  • GAMING MACHINE
    Publication number: 20140342824
    Abstract: A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel configured to display images of a game, the display panel including a screen facing downward; a partial mirror disposed under the display panel and inclined with respect to the screen to partially reflect the images from the display panel into a forward direction; a background member disposed rear to the partial mirror such that an image of the background member passes through the partial mirror into the forward direction to overlap the images from the display panel; and a controller configured to execute the game and to control the display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Jun Hirato, Takashi Izawa, Keita Shimura
  • PRESENTATION EFFECT DEVICE FOR USE IN GAMING MACHINE AND GAMING MACHINE
    Publication number: 20140342800
    Abstract: Provided is a presentation effect device capable of providing a new presentation effect in which it is possible to change the state where a player can visibly recognize an object to be visibly recognized to the state where a player can visibly recognize the object without any movable member. A presentation effect device is provided with a plate-like panel, an accommodation space partitioned by the plate-like panel, the accommodation space for accommodating an object to be visibly recognized, and an illumination device for illuminating the object to be visibly recognized by a signal from the outside, wherein the plate-like panel is composed of a beam splitter for dividing incoming light into reflection light and transmitted light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenta KITAMURA, Kou Kobayashi, Takashi Izawa, Masumi Sakamoto
  • Display device for gaming machine and gaming machine including the same
    Patent number: 8876600
    Abstract: A display device for a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel configured to display images for a game; 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 first guide and a second sliding door configured to move along a second guide; and a driving unit configured to drive the first sliding door, wherein the shutter assembly is configured to make friction between the second sliding door and the second guide greater than friction between the first sliding door and the first guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Joko, Hiroatsu Ike, Kenta Kitamura
  • Display device for gaming machine and gaming machine including the same
    Patent number: 8870651
    Abstract: A display device includes: a display screen configured to display an image for a game; a first sliding door in front of the display screen, the first sliding door driven by a motor to move along a first guide to open and close the display screen; a rotation axis configured to rotate based on variation of an opening area of the display screen due to movement of the first sliding door; a magnetic sensor configured to detect rotation of the rotation axis; and a controller configured determine position of the first sliding door based on a magnetic sensor signal from the magnetic sensor and to control the movement of the first sliding door based on the selected door control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Joko, Hiroatsu Ike, Kenta Kitamura
  • GAMING MACHINE CAPABLE OF REPEATEDLY EXECUTING A UNIT GAME
    Publication number: 20140315618
    Abstract: A gaming machine that is capable of achieving respectively different game patterns at a time of a bonus game is provided. A main CPU displays a selection screen in a case where a feature game trigger is established, and causes a player to select either one of a free game and a roulette game. In a case where the free game is selected, a total of values that correspond to BONUS symbols that correspond to the feature game trigger is determined as the number of free games. The main CPU conducts lottery processing for determination of symbols and lottery processing for determination of BONUS symbol values. The values that correspond to the BONUS symbols are added on one by one basis, and a progress of obtaining the number of free games is displayed as effect on a video display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Kenta KITAMURA, Susumu MIO, Yoichi KATO, Hiromoto YAMAUCHI
  • GAMING MACHINE CAPABLE OF REPEATEDLY EXECUTING A UNIT GAME
    Publication number: 20140315617
    Abstract: A gaming machine that is capable of imparting diversified variations to the play of a bonus game is provided. A main CPU displays a selection screen in a case where a feature game trigger is established, and causes a player to select one of a free game and a roulette game. In a case where the free game is selected, a total of values of BONUS symbols that correspond to the feature game trigger is determined as the number of free games. On the other hand, in a case where the roulette game is selected, a game is completed by carrying out roulette game processing once, and the amount of payouts is determined based on the number of free games. The free game and the roulette game are respectively set so that expectation values of the number of payouts are equal to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Kenta KITAMURA, Susumu MIO
  • REEL BELT OF GAMING MACHINE AND GAMING MACHINE
    Publication number: 20140312565
    Abstract: Provided is a reel unit for a gaming machine which suppresses decrease in visibility of a reel belt due to the formation of image of light source on a reel even if light emission intensity for illuminating the reel is high. It is provided a first light diffusion sheet with translucency having a light refraction surface including a surface formed thereon for refracting light passing therethrough in various directions, the first light diffusion sheet stacked on a base sheet; and a second light diffusion sheet having the light refraction surface, the second light diffusion sheet stacked on the first light diffusion sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicants: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Motomichi SATO, Tatsuya TERANISHI, Kenta KITAMURA, Jun HlRATO, Takuto NAKAYAMA
  • Gaming machine having plural gaming modes
    Patent number: 8840455
    Abstract: A gaming machine which can control the tempo of the game to refresh the player while maintaining continuity of the game, enhancing entertainingness and amusement of the game, and encouraging the player's sense of achievements. The input unit receives an instruction related to a game. The memory stores a first symbol determination table causing that a specific symbol appears among rearranged symbols on the symbol display unit with a first probability and a second symbol determination table causing that the specific symbol appears among the rearranged symbols with a second probability higher than the first probability. The controller starts the game in response to the instruction received through the input unit to execute the game in a normal mode and shifting the normal mode to a chance mode according to the game result in the normal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corporation, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Osawa, Tatsuya Teranishi, Takeshi Iso, Kenta Kitamura