Patents by Inventor Takashi Hagiwara

Takashi Hagiwara 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: 4838552
    Abstract: A more sophisticated version of the known "crisscross" type of slot machine is disclosed. A screen has a plurality of display zones, usually notional, arrayed in rows and columns. A row of symbols are made to sequentially appear and randomly stop on each of the display zones, either electronically, optically, or mechanically. Thus the player can play for random symbol combinations not only along the horizontal and diagonal lines, as in the case of the crisscross model, but also along the vertical lines, of the array of display zones on the screen. If the display zones are provided in three rows and three columns, therefore, the inventive machine offers a maximum of as many as eight different symbol combinations on a single play, as compared with only five yielded by the crisscross type of machine. A representative slot machine in accordance with the invention is purely electronic, using a cathode ray tube for symbol display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Sigma Enterprises, Incorporated
    Inventor: Takashi Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 4805907
    Abstract: This invention relates to a slot machine which comprises one main machine, and a plurality of subordinate machines connected to the main machine. Each subordinate machine comprises a slot, detecting means for sensing the coins betted in; and coin paying-out means.The main machine comprises control means for starting the game in response to an output of the detection means of the subordinate machine and controlling the proceeding of the game; display means for showing on its screen symbol rows having plural kinds of symbols and movable while the game is going on; and payment commanding means for commanding the coin paying-out means to pay out coins in accordance with a preset payment rate when the result of the game is found won. The slot machine of this type brings forth communication among players thereby to make the game more amusing. This brings about more profit to the installer of the slot machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Sigma Enterprises, Incorporated
    Inventor: Takashi Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 4679143
    Abstract: An amusement device and method of operation are disclosed wherein a plurality of payout schedules which govern the conduct of the game are retained in a memory. The actual payout rate of the apparatus is constantly determined and the actual payout is compared with predetermined limits. If the actual payout exceeds the limit, the apparatus automatically selects another payout schedule which alters the probability of a player's winning. The game is fair because the payout schedule governing conduct of the game is displayed to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Sigma Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 4565275
    Abstract: For electronically sensing the proper entry of a coin into a slot machine, vending machine or the like, an upstanding chute extending from the slot of the machine has two pairs of opposed apertures formed therein. A coin falling through the chute successively intercepts light beams emitted by external light sources and normally falling on photodetectors through the apertures. The outputs from the photodetectors are used for measuring the period of time required for the coin to pass each pair of apertures and the period of time from the moment the coin starts passing the upper pair of apertures to the moment the coin completes passing the lower pair of apertures. The photodetector outputs are further utilized for detecting a reverse travel of the coin in the chute, as by the stringing of the coin by the customer. Additional embodiments provide for the detection of oversize and undersize coins from the photodetector outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Sigma Enterprises Incorporated
    Inventor: Takashi Hagiwara