Patents by Inventor Sakiko Kojima

Sakiko Kojima 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: 8480479
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises: a display device for displaying symbols variably and statically on a display screen; a contact input device to be operated; a storage device for storing winning combinations of symbols; and a processor being operable to: conduct another internal lottery to determine a combination of symbols to be displayed statically; determine whether the determined combination matches one of the predetermined winning combinations; provide a payout corresponding thereto when the statically displayed combination is determined to match the one; shift a game to a feature game when the statically displayed combination is determined to include a trigger symbol; urge a game player to operate the contact input device to trigger the internal lottery in the feature game; and provide a point to one of a plurality of feature levels in the feature game such that an accumulated points may reach a predetermined number of points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Sakiko Kojima
  • Patent number: 8308555
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided so as to comprise: a display device for displaying symbols variably and statically; a starting device for an operation to start a variable display of the symbols; a storage device for storing a plurality of predictive effect images corresponding to respective payout levels; and a processor being operable to: conduct an internal lottery to determine a combination of symbols to be displayed statically; select one of the predictive effect images corresponding to a predetermined winning combination when it is determined that the determined combination to be displayed statically matches the predetermined winning combination; and cause the selected one predictive effect image to be displayed as well as the variable display of symbols, wherein the plurality of predictive effect images indicate a degree of the payout levels such that a payout level to be awarded can be expected before an operation to stop the variable display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Sakiko Kojima
  • Patent number: 8235799
    Abstract: In the gaming machine according to the present invention, when symbols are displayed within display regions of a display means, a determination means determines, from a combination of symbols displayed, establishment/non-establishment of the shift condition. More specifically, the determination means determines that the shift condition is established when a predetermined number or more first symbols are displayed within the at least one display regions. Further, a condition control means for controlling, when the first symbols displayed within the at least one display regions are less than the predetermined number and when a second symbols are displayed within the display regions, to establish the shift condition by the first symbols and the second symbols. Accordingly, even when the first symbols displayed within the display regions are less than predetermined number, the player can look forward to the shift to the bonus game and therefore feel interest more than in a conventional gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Sakiko Kojima
  • Patent number: 8002627
    Abstract: A slot machine includes a symbol displaying device, a start switch, a display, a memory, and a controller. The controller implements a process including: (a) controlling the symbol displaying device; (b) determining whether or not symbols displayed in the symbol displaying device are entitled to a bonus game; (c) controlling a transition from a basic gamer to the bonus game; (d) controlling the display to operate as a touch panel; (e) executing a lottery to select one of first and second reduction values to be subtracted from the capacity of the character, with respect to a selectable element selected by the player via the touch panel; (f) executing a subtraction with the selected reduction value and controlling the memory to store the resulting capacity; and (g) controlling a transition from the bonus game to a basic game in accordance with the stored capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Sakiko Kojima
  • Patent number: 7997975
    Abstract: A slot machine includes a symbol displaying device, a start switch, a display, and a controller. The controller is configured to implement a process including: (a) controlling the symbol displaying device; (b) determining whether or not symbols displayed in the symbol displaying device is entitled to a bonus game; (c) controlling a transition from a basic game to the bonus game if the controller determines that the symbols are entitled to the bonus game; (d) controlling the display to operate as a touch panel; and (e) executing a lottery to select one of first and second bonus game items with a selectable element selected by the player via the touch panel. The controller controls the payout given to the player according to the bonus game item selected in the lottery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Sakiko Kojima
  • Publication number: 20110159947
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided so as to comprise: a display device for displaying symbols variably and statically; a starting device for an operation to start a variable display of the symbols; a storage device for storing a plurality of predictive effect images corresponding to respective payout levels; and a processor being operable to: conduct an internal lottery to determine a combination of symbols to be displayed statically; select one of the predictive effect images corresponding to a predetermined winning combination when it is determined that the determined combination to be displayed statically matches the predetermined winning combination; and cause the selected one predictive effect image to be displayed as well as the variable display of symbols, wherein the plurality of predictive effect images indicate a degree of the payout levels such that a payout level to be awarded can be expected before an operation to stop the variable display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sakiko KOJIMA
  • Patent number: 7922580
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided so as to comprise: a display device for displaying symbols variably and statically; a starting device for an operation to start a variable display of the symbols; a storage device for storing a plurality of predictive effect images corresponding to respective payout levels; and a processor being operable to: conduct an internal lottery to determine a combination of symbols to be displayed statically; select one of the predictive effect images corresponding to a predetermined winning combination when it is determined that the determined combination to be displayed statically matches the predetermined winning combination; and cause the selected one predictive effect image to be displayed as well as the variable display of symbols, wherein the plurality of predictive effect images indicate a degree of the payout levels such that a payout level to be awarded can be expected before an operation to stop the variable display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Sakiko Kojima
  • Publication number: 20110034235
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises: a display device for displaying symbols variably and statically on a display screen; a contact input device to be operated; a storage device for storing winning combinations of symbols; and a processor being operable to: conduct another internal lottery to determine a combination of symbols to be displayed statically; determine whether the determined combination matches one of the predetermined winning combinations; provide a payout corresponding thereto when the statically displayed combination is determined to match the one; shift a game to a feature game when the statically displayed combination is determined to include a trigger symbol; urge a game player to operate the contact input device to trigger the internal lottery in the feature game; and provide a point to one of a plurality of feature levels in the feature game such that an accumulated points may reach a predetermined number of points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sakiko KOJIMA
  • Publication number: 20110009185
    Abstract: In the gaming machine according to the present invention, when symbols are displayed within display regions of a display means, a determination means determines, from a combination of symbols displayed, establishment/non-establishment of the shift condition. More specifically, the determination means determines that the shift condition is established when a predetermined number or more first symbols are displayed within the at least one display regions. Further, a condition control means for controlling, when the first symbols displayed within the at least one display regions are less than the predetermined number and when a second symbols are displayed within the display regions, to establish the shift condition by the first symbols and the second symbols. Accordingly, even when the first symbols displayed within the display regions are less than predetermined number, the player can look forward to the shift to the bonus game and therefore feel interest more than in a conventional gaming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sakiko KOJIMA
  • Patent number: 7837551
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises: a display device for displaying symbols variably and statically on a display screen; a contact input device to be operated; a storage device for storing winning combinations of symbols; and a processor being operable to: conduct another internal lottery to determine a combination of symbols to be displayed statically; determine whether the determined combination matches one of the predetermined winning combinations; provide a payout corresponding thereto when the statically displayed combination is determined to match the one; shift a game to a feature game when the statically displayed combination is determined to include a trigger symbol; urge a game player to operate the contact input device to trigger the internal lottery in the feature game; and provide a point to one of a plurality of feature levels in the feature game such that an accumulated points may reach a predetermined number of points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Sakiko Kojima
  • Patent number: 7824261
    Abstract: In the gaming machine according to the present invention, when symbols are displayed within display regions of a display means, a determination means determines, from a combination of symbols displayed, establishment/non-establishment of the shift condition. More specifically, the determination means determines that the shift condition is established when a predetermined number or more first symbols are displayed within the at least one display regions. Further, a condition control means for controlling, when the first symbols displayed within the at least one display regions are less than the predetermined number and when a second symbols are displayed within the display regions, to establish the shift condition by the first symbols and the second symbols. Accordingly, even when the first symbols displayed within the display regions are less than predetermined number, the player can look forward to the shift to the bonus game and therefore feel interest more than in a conventional gaming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Sakiko Kojima
  • Patent number: 7758415
    Abstract: A slot machine may comprise: a plurality of display windows in which a plurality of symbols are displayed variably and statically; at least one pay line across the display windows to connect a predetermined number of display windows, a winning combination of symbols being determined by symbol arrangement along the at least one pay line; and the processor operable to: cause the plurality of symbols displayed variably in the display windows; cause the plurality of symbols displayed statically in the plurality of display windows; let a player select an area where at least one symbol is displayed statically and which covers at least partially a display window; cause each symbol displayed statically in the selected area to be replaced with a specific symbol capable of substituting at least another kind of symbol; and determine the winning combination by the symbol arrangement including the replacing specific symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Sakiko Kojima
  • Patent number: 7740540
    Abstract: A gaming machine, having a display unit that displays a game image for use in a game, including: an image data storage unit that stores common image data that is common to user countries in which the gaming machine is used and individual image data that differ from user country to user country; and a position changing unit that changes the display position of the game image displayed on the display unit, on a per user country basis, using the common image data and the individual image data, stored in the image data storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Yukinori Inamura, Hiroshi Ito, Hideaki Iwamoto, Kaoru Kuroiwa, Keiki Inoue, Sakiko Kojima, Akira Osawa
  • Publication number: 20080254855
    Abstract: A gaming environment is described. Plural video reels are spin and stopped on plural window displays. If the number of scatter symbols repositioned on the plural window displays is a predetermined number, new video reel will be spin and stopped on new display window. After that, an award corresponding to a symbol repositioned on a payline on the new display window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: ARUZE Corporation
    Inventor: Sakiko KOJIMA
  • Publication number: 20080058076
    Abstract: A gaming environment is described. Plural video reels are spin and stopped on plural window displays. If the number of scatter symbols repositioned on the plural window displays is a predetermined number, new video reel will be spin and stopped on new display window. After that, an award corresponding to a symbol repositioned on a payline on the new display window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: ARUZE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sakiko KOJIMA
  • Publication number: 20080058077
    Abstract: A gaming environment is described. Plural video reels are spin and stopped on plural window displays. If the number of scatter symbols repositioned on the plural window displays is a predetermined number, new video reel will be spin and stopped on new display window. After that, an award corresponding to a symbol repositioned on a payline on the new display window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: ARUZE CORP.
    Inventor: Sakiko Kojima
  • Publication number: 20080045316
    Abstract: A slot machine includes a symbol displaying device, a start switch, a display, and a controller. The controller is configured to implement a process including: (a) controlling the symbol displaying device; (b) determining whether or not symbols displayed in the symbol displaying device is entitled to a bonus game; (c) controlling a transition from a basic game to the bonus game if the controller determines that the symbols are entitled to the bonus game; (d) controlling the display to operate as a touch panel; and (e) executing a lottery to select one of first and second bonus game items with a selectable element selected by the player via the touch panel. The controller controls the payout given to the player according to the bonus game item selected in the lottery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Sakiko Kojima
  • Publication number: 20080045315
    Abstract: A slot machine includes a symbol displaying device, a start switch, a display, a memory, and a controller. The controller implements a process including: (a) controlling the symbol displaying device; (b) determining whether or not symbols displayed in the symbol displaying device are entitled to a bonus game; (c) controlling a transition from a basic gamer to the bonus game; (d) controlling the display to operate as a touch panel; (e) executing a lottery to select one of first and second reduction values to be subtracted from the capacity of the character, with respect to a selectable element selected by the player via the touch panel; (f) executing a subtraction with the selected reduction value and controlling the memory to store the resulting capacity; and (g) controlling a transition from the bonus game to a basic game in accordance with the stored capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Sakiko Kojima
  • Publication number: 20080004103
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided so as to comprise: a display device for displaying symbols variably and statically; a starting device for an operation to start a variable display of the symbols; a storage device for storing a plurality of predictive effect images corresponding to respective payout levels; and a processor being operable to: conduct an internal lottery to determine a combination of symbols to be displayed statically; select one of the predictive effect images corresponding to a predetermined winning combination when it is determined that the determined combination to be displayed statically matches the predetermined winning combination; and cause the selected one predictive effect image to be displayed as well as the variable display of symbols, wherein the plurality of predictive effect images indicate a degree of the payout levels such that a payout level to be awarded can be expected before an operation to stop the variable display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventor: Sakiko Kojima
  • Publication number: 20080004102
    Abstract: A slot machine includes a symbol display device, a symbol controller, a game start device, a first lottery device, a game controller, and a switch device. When the game start device receives a signal indicative of an instruction for starting a game from a player, the first lottery device executes a lottery so as to determine the symbols to be displayed in the symbol display device. The game controller executes the game. When the symbols are displayed statically, the switch device receives a signal indicative of a selection of symbols to be replaced with a wild symbol. When the second lottery device determines activation of the switch device, the game controller replaces the symbols with the wild symbol to determine an award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventor: Sakiko Kojima