Patents by Inventor Nakayasu Tsukahara

Nakayasu Tsukahara 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: 9836921
    Abstract: A gaming machine achieves a new entertainment characteristic by adding a new characteristic to selection of a bonus type. A gaming machine comprises: a lower image display panel configured to display selectable images in a bonus game which is triggered in a normal game, wherein the selectable images are changed to any one of bonus rank images corresponding to bonus types every time selection is made; a control panel enabling selection of one of the selectable images; and a controller configured to control the display panel so that only the number of the bonus rank images corresponding to the bonus determined in advance in the bonus game reaches a predetermined number, wherein the controller displays a bonus rank image corresponding to a high rank bonus type out of bonus types, before the number of the bonus rank images corresponding to the bonus determined in advance reaches the predetermined number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Yukinori Inamura, Hiroshi Takahashi, Tetsuya Yokota, Nakayasu Tsukahara, Takeshi Narita
  • Patent number: 9373227
    Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention comprises a plurality of rotation reels rotatably installed in a casing; an input device operable by a player; a memory for storing stop positions of the plurality of the rotation reels in a previous game; and a controller, the controller programmed to execute processing of (A) determining the stop positions of the plurality of the rotation reels conditionally on an input from the input device, (B) stopping each of the rotation reels in rotation at the stop position determined in the processing (A), according to the stop position of each of the plurality of the rotation reels in the previous game preliminary stored in the memory and the stop position of each of the rotation reels in a present game determined in the processing (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nakayasu Tsukahara
  • Publication number: 20160042608
    Abstract: A gaming machine achieves a new entertainment characteristic by adding a new characteristic to selection of a bonus type. A gaming machine comprises: a lower image display panel configured to display selectable images in a bonus game which is triggered in a normal game, wherein the selectable images are changed to any one of bonus rank images corresponding to bonus types every time selection is made; a control panel enabling selection of one of the selectable images; and a controller configured to control the display panel so that only the number of the bonus rank images corresponding to the bonus determined in advance in the bonus game reaches a predetermined number, wherein the controller displays a bonus rank image corresponding to a high rank bonus type out of bonus types, before the number of the bonus rank images corresponding to the bonus determined in advance reaches the predetermined number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Yukinori INAMURA, Hiroshi TAKAHASHI, Tetsuya YOKOTA, Nakayasu TSUKAHARA, Takeshi NARITA
  • Patent number: 8961289
    Abstract: A gaming machine executes a game in which a player makes a bet in a desired bet pattern having combined a plurality of bet elements; stores the bet pattern used for the game; and allows the player to select one of the bet element and the bet pattern. When the bet element is selected, a bet is made by the bet pattern using the bet element selected. When the bet pattern is selected, a bet is made by the bet pattern selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Nakayasu Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 8821254
    Abstract: In a gaming machine, a unit game causing arranged symbols to be rearranged is displayed on a display. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, a special game including a predetermined number of the unit games is displayed on the display. Additionally, a total amount of payout to be provided to a player when the special game is executed, a symbol rearrangement pattern in the predetermined number of unit games for providing the total amount of payout, and contents of an effect corresponding to the total amount of payout to be provided to the player are determined before start of the special game. Moreover, the contents of the effect previously determined and the predetermined number of unit games according to the symbol rearrangement pattern previously determined are displayed on the display during the special game. Furthermore, after the special game including the predetermined number of unit games is executed, the total amount of payout previously determined are provided to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Nakayasu Tsukahara
  • Publication number: 20140179403
    Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention comprises a plurality of rotation reels rotatably installed in a casing; an input device operable by a player; a memory for storing stop positions of the plurality of the rotation reels in a previous game; and a controller, the controller programmed to execute processing of (A) determining the stop positions of the plurality of the rotation reels conditionally on an input from the input device, (B) stopping each of the rotation reels in rotation at the stop position determined in the processing (A), according to the stop position of each of the plurality of the rotation reels in the previous game preliminary stored in the memory and the stop position of each of the rotation reels in a present game determined in the processing (A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: NAKAYASU TSUKAHARA
  • Patent number: 8696434
    Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention comprises a plurality of rotation reels rotatably installed in a casing; an input device operable by a player; a memory for storing stop positions of the plurality of the rotation reels in a previous game; and a controller, the controller programmed to execute processing of (A) determining the stop positions of the plurality of the rotation reels conditionally on an input from the input device, (B) stopping each of the rotation reels in rotation at the stop position determined in the processing (A), according to the stop position of each of the plurality of the rotation reels in the previous game preliminary stored in the memory and the stop position of each of the rotation reels in a present game determined in the processing (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Nakayasu Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 8342934
    Abstract: A gaming machine, at the beginning of a game, determines static symbols for each of the video reels and executes variable display. Then, in a case where the static symbols do not form a winning combination and where the static symbols include symbols constituting a winning combination, video reels displaying symbols not constituting the winning combination are statically displayed after other video reels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Nakayasu Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 8298071
    Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention is provided with a plurality of BET input devices with each of which a player can bet game media in a different amount. The number of times that a game is played is counted in association with the BET input device with which a BET has been inputted in that game. A predetermined profit is offered based on the number of times counted in association with the BET input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Yukinori Inamura, Kazumasa Yoshizawa, Yoichi Kato, Tatsuya Teranishi, Shinji Ogino, Hiroki Saito, Fumiya Abe, Nakayasu Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 8272942
    Abstract: A gaming machine 13 starts a game, determines symbols to be rearranged, and variably displays symbol groups. Next, in a case where at least a predetermined number of identical symbols for providing an award is rearranged or in a case where identical symbols for providing an award are rearranged in “REACH (ready-to-win)” state, the gaming machine 13 displays a rendered effect that corresponds to the identical symbol on a display device. Accordingly, in a case where a combination with a “REACH” state is achieved even if it ends up with a losing combination, a rendered effect, which is the same as that performed when a winning combination is achieved, is performed to allow the player to maintain the feeling of suspense for winning to the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Nakayasu Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 8187102
    Abstract: A gaming system 10, composed of a server 11 and a plurality of gaming terminals 13, submits selection information including a game type to be executed in a gaming terminal 13 and a picture type, selected by a player in the gaming terminal 13, and operational information indicating operational status to the server 11. The server 11 aggregates the information received from the plurality of gaming terminals 13, and submits the game type and the picture type most selected, as configuration information, to the plurality of gaming terminals 13. In addition, operational information and processing results of the server 11 are displayed on a monitor 16. The gaming terminal 13 changes a stand-by screen in accordance with the configuration information and displays the stand-by screen on liquid crystal displays 30 and 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Nakayasu Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 8142269
    Abstract: A gaming machine displays on a display a horse racing game in which racehorses race against each other, and receives, via a gaming terminal, a bet made by a player regarding an order of arrival of the racehorses in the horse racing game. Thereafter, the gaming machine periodically calculates odds for the horse racing game. While remaining time to reception deadline for bets is a certain length of time or more, a value obtained by reducing the calculated actual value of odds by a predetermined proportion is displayed on the display as an effect value of the odds at that point. The longer the remaining time to the bet reception deadline, the larger the predetermined proportion reduced from the actual value of the odds to obtain the effect value. Moreover, the gaming machine displays on the display the calculated actual value of the odds as the effect value when a certain length of time or less remains before the bet reception deadline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Nakayasu Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 8142278
    Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention comprises: a removable key provided so as to correspond to the gaming machine; and a controller, the controller programmed to execute the processing of (A) determining whether or not the key has been removed, and (B) controlling the gaming machine so as to make a game executable when determining in the processing (A) that the key has not been removed, while controlling the gaming machine so as to make the game unexecutable when determining in the processing (A) that the key has been removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Nakayasu Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 8113949
    Abstract: In a game conducted in this invention, a player makes bets with respect to numbers which will appear on 3 dice. If the player wins the bet, he/she can earn a payout in accordance with the bet. Once the player makes a bet with respect to the numbers which will appear on the 3 dice, he/she can also place a bet with respect to directions which will appear on the 3 dice. In this case, if the player wins the bet with respect to numbers and wins the bet with respect to directions, as well, he/she can earn a payout in accordance with the bet with respect to directions, in addition to a payout in accordance with a bet with respect to numbers. Alternatively, no payout is awarded if the player wins the bet with respect to numbers but loses the bet with respect to directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Nakayasu Tsukahara
  • Publication number: 20100144421
    Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention is provided with a plurality of BET input devices with each of which a player can bet game media in a different amount. The number of times that a game is played is counted in association with the BET input device with which a BET has been inputted in that game. A predetermined profit is offered based on the number of times counted in association with the BET input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: YUKINORI INAMURA, Kazumasa Yoshizawa, Yoichi Kato, Tatsuya Teranishi, Shinji Ogino, Hiroki Saito, Fumiya Abe, Nakayasu Tsukahara
  • Publication number: 20090312089
    Abstract: A slot machine according to the present invention stores in a memory, BET information including the number of BETs placed in a previous game. In a next game, the slot machine accepts input operation made to an input device and in accordance with the input operation from the input device, accepts a first instruction signal and a second instruction signal output from a predetermined electric circuit. The slot machine automatically sets the number of BETs equal to that of BETs placed in the previous game while automatically rearranging the plural types of symbols on a display device, based upon the accepted first and second instruction signals and the BET information concerning the previous game stored in the memory. The input device is configured so as to reciprocate in accordance with the input operation. The predetermined electric circuit is under opening and closing control in accordance with reciprocation of the input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Aruze Corp.
    Inventor: Nakayasu TSUKAHARA
  • Publication number: 20090305780
    Abstract: A gaming system 10, composed of a server 11 and a plurality of gaming terminals 13, submits selection information including a game type to be executed in a gaming terminal 13 and a picture type, selected by a player in the gaming terminal 13, and operational information indicating operational status to the server 11. The server 11 aggregates the information received from the plurality of gaming terminals 13, and submits the game type and the picture type most selected, as configuration information, to the plurality of gaming terminals 13. In addition, operational information and processing results of the server 11 are displayed on a monitor 16. The gaming terminal 13 changes a stand-by screen in accordance with the configuration information and displays the stand-by screen on liquid crystal displays 30 and 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Aruze Corp
    Inventor: Nakayasu TSUKAHARA
  • Publication number: 20090305775
    Abstract: In a game conducted in this invention, a player makes bets with respect to numbers which will appear on 3 dice. If the player wins the bet, he/she can earn a payout in accordance with the bet. Once the player makes a bet with respect to the numbers which will appear on the 3 dice, he/she can also place a bet with respect to directions which will appear on the 3 dice. In this case, if the player wins the bet with respect to numbers and wins the bet with respect to directions, as well, he/she can earn a payout in accordance with the bet with respect to directions, in addition to a payout in accordance with a bet with respect to numbers. Alternatively, no payout is awarded if the player wins the bet with respect to numbers but loses the bet with respect to directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: ARUZE CORP.
    Inventor: Nakayasu TSUKAHARA
  • Patent number: RE46767
    Abstract: A gaming machine, at the beginning of a game, determines static symbols for each of the video reels and executes variable display. Then, in a case where the static symbols do not form a winning combination and where the static symbols include symbols constituting a winning combination, video reels displaying symbols not constituting the winning combination are statically displayed after other video reels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Nakayasu Tsukahara
  • Patent number: RE46808
    Abstract: A gaming machine, at the beginning of a game, determines static symbols for each of the video reels and executes variable display. Then, in a case where the static symbols do not form a winning combination and where the static symbols include symbols constituting a winning combination, video reels displaying symbols not constituting the winning combination are statically displayed after other video reels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Nakayasu Tsukahara