Patents by Inventor Tatsuhiko Tanimura

Tatsuhiko Tanimura 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).

  • Publication number: 20120276975
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes: a reel having an outer circumferential surface on which symbols are lined up; a reel driving mechanism which rotates the reel to rearrange the symbols; a magnet which is provided in the reel driving mechanism to change an external magnetic field in accordance with the rotation of the reel; a magnetic force detecting mechanism which detects a magnetic force of the external magnetic field so as to output a magnetic force detection signal; a reel setting unit by which the magnetic force detection signal and arrangement positions of the symbols are associated with one another; and a reel drive control unit which controls the reel driving mechanism so that the symbols are rearranged in a predetermined arrangement based on the magnetic force detection signal and the arrangement positions of the symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicants: Aruze Gaming America, Inc., Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Tanimura, Noritoshi Kukita, Hiroatsu Ike, Yoshitomo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8251814
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a cabinet, an emission control unit, an exterior member, a conductive sheet, a ground unit, and a controller which runs a game. The emission control unit provided to the cabinet includes a light emitting portion and causes the light emitting portion to light. The exterior member is placed to a position surrounding the emission control unit and transmits light emitted by the light emitting portion to outside. The conductive sheet is provided to a position interposing between the exterior member and the emission control unit. The ground unit grounds the conductive sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Tanimura, Takashi Abe
  • Patent number: 8241121
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a liquid crystal display 27 having a liquid crystal panel 173 and a light guiding plate 174 placed at the rear of the liquid crystal panel 173 for guiding light emitted from illumination light means 176a, 176b for the liquid crystal panel 173 into the liquid crystal panel 173, and a variable display device placed at the rear of the liquid crystal display 27 and having a plurality of reels 3L, 3C, and 3R provided in a row each on which a plurality of symbols are arranged. Parts of the light guiding plate 174 to which the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are opposed are cut out or are formed with recesses on the reel side and light scattering process is applied on end faces 174a, 174b, and 174c of the cutouts or the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Tanimura, Hirofumi Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 8123609
    Abstract: A gaming machine and associated methodology are provided, including a slot machine having a variable display device providing a plurality of variable displays, and a liquid crystal display device having transmission areas for a surface reflection light reflected at a surface of the variable display device. The variable display device includes a rotary body that is subjected to surface treatment available to suppress a luster and described with a plurality of symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Sekiguchi, Tatsuhiko Tanimura
  • Patent number: 8095990
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a gaming board and a mother board. The gaming board comprises a boot ROM and a card slot. The boot ROM stores therein an authentication program for authenticating a gaming program and a gaming system program stored in a memory card. The card slot receives the memory card therein. The mother board comprises a main CPU and a RAM. The main CPU reads the authentication program from the boot ROM and the gaming program and gaming system program from the memory card received in the card slot. The main CPU executes an authentication process for the read gaming program and gaming system program according to the read authentication program. The main CPU writes the authenticated gaming program and gaming system program to the RAM. The main CPU controls a game proceeding according to the written gaming program and gaming system program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Tanimura
  • Patent number: 8078540
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a gaming operation execution device, a loading device and a processing device. The gaming operation execution device executes gaming operations. The loading device includes a connector for connecting a storage medium, a first program memory part for storing a first authentication program, a second program memory part for storing a second authentication program, and a first processor for authenticating the first authentication program with the second authentication program. The processing device includes a memory, a reading unit for reading out the gaming information from the storage medium and for reading out the first authentication program authenticated by the first processor, a second processor for authenticating the gaming information with the authenticated first authentication program, a writing unit for writing the authenticated gaming information to the memory, and an operation control unit for controlling the gaming operation execution device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Tanimura
  • Publication number: 20110195778
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a cabinet, an emission control unit, an exterior member, a conductive sheet, a ground unit, and a controller which runs a game. The emission control unit provided to the cabinet includes a light emitting portion and causes the light emitting portion to light. The exterior member is placed to a position surrounding the emission control unit and transmits light emitted by the light emitting portion to outside. The conductive sheet is provided to a position interposing between the exterior member and the emission control unit. The ground unit grounds the conductive sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko TANIMURA, Takashi ABE
  • Publication number: 20110124411
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a liquid crystal display 27 having a liquid crystal panel 173 and a light guiding plate 174 placed at the rear of the liquid crystal panel 173 for guiding light emitted from illumination light means 176a, 176b for the liquid crystal panel 173 into the liquid crystal panel 173, and a variable display device placed at the rear of the liquid crystal display 27 and having a plurality of reels 3L, 3C, and 3R provided in a row each on which a plurality of symbols are arranged. Parts of the light guiding plate 174 to which the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are opposed are cut out or are formed with recesses on the reel side and light scattering process is applied on end faces 174a, 174b, and 174c of the cutouts or the recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Tanimura, Hirofumi Sekiguchi
  • Publication number: 20110065514
    Abstract: A gaming machine having an illuminated object made up of a specific area and a non-specific area different from the specific area, the illuminated object being disposed on a front surface of the gaming machine, the gaming machine includes: a first light source for emitting light caused to enter the specific area from a rear-surface side of the illuminated object; a second light source for emitting light, the second light source being different from the first light source, and a light guide body for causing the light emitted by the second light source to enter the non-specific area through the rear-surface side of the illuminated object, the light guide body being disposed in a position spaced apart from the illuminated object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicants: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideaki KISHI, Tatsuhiko Tanimura
  • Patent number: 7892094
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a liquid crystal display 27 having a liquid crystal panel 173 and a light guiding plate 174 placed at the rear of the liquid crystal panel 173 for guiding light emitted from illumination light means 176a, 176b for the liquid crystal panel 173 into the liquid crystal panel 173, and a variable display device placed at the rear of the liquid crystal display 27 and having a plurality of reels 3L, 3C, and 3R provided in a row each on which a plurality of symbols are arranged. Parts of the light guiding plate 174 to which the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are opposed are cut out or are formed with recesses on the reel side and light scattering process is applied on end faces 174a, 174b, and 174c of the cutouts or the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Tanimura, Hirofumi Sekiguchi
  • Publication number: 20110014970
    Abstract: A gaming machine of the present invention includes a light emitting portion 79, a terminal controller 100, a light emission control unit 74, a power supply unit 75, an input device through which a predetermined input can be externally inputted, and a light emission power control unit 76. The light emitting portion 79 emits light with power. The terminal controller 100 runs a game with power supplied thereto. The light emission control unit 74 causes: with power supplied thereto, the light emitting portion 79 to emit light; and controls the light emitting portion 79 so that the light emitting portion 79 emits light in a lighting mode associated with a game state. The power supply unit 75 supplies power to the light emission control unit 74 and the terminal controller 100, separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicants: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko TANIMURA, Takashi ABE
  • Publication number: 20100151939
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a gaming operation execution device, a loading device and a processing device. The gaming operation execution device executes gaming operations. The loading device includes a connector for connecting a storage medium, a first program memory part for storing a first authentication program, a second program memory part for storing a second authentication program, and a first processor for authenticating the first authentication program with the second authentication program. The processing device includes a memory, a reading unit for reading out the gaming information from the storage medium and for reading out the first authentication program authenticated by the first processor, a second processor for authenticating the gaming information with the authenticated first authentication program, a writing unit for writing the authenticated gaming information to the memory, and an operation control unit for controlling the gaming operation execution device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Tanimura
  • Patent number: 7693282
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a gaming operation execution device, a loading device and a processing device. The gaming operation execution device executes gaming operations. The loading device includes a connector for connecting a storage medium, a first program memory part for storing a first authentication program, a second program memory part for storing a second authentication program, and a first processor for authenticating the first authentication program with the second authentication program. The processing device includes a memory, a reading unit for reading out the gaming information from the storage medium and for reading out the first authentication program authenticated by the first processor, a second processor for authenticating the gaming information with the authenticated first authentication program, a writing unit for writing the authenticated gaming information to the memory, and an operation control unit for controlling the gaming operation execution device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Tanimura
  • Publication number: 20090005153
    Abstract: A gaming machine is provided, which includes an interface portion, a controller, a memory, a first power supply, and a second power supply. The interface portion is connected with at least one unit used for executing a game. The controller controls the unit connected to the interface portion and detects an occurrence of abnormal operation at the unit. The memory stores identification information for identifying the unit, and further stores historical information that includes information related to the occurrence of abnormal operation detected by the controller in connection with the identification information. The first power supply supplies a voltage required for operation of the controller. The second power supply supplies the voltage required for operation of the controller if a voltage supplied for the controller by the first power supply is less than the voltage required for operation of the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: ARUZE CORP.
    Inventors: Shigehiko KITAGAWA, Hideaki KISHI, Tatsuhiko TANIMURA
  • Patent number: 7409513
    Abstract: In the information process device 1, only when it is determined that the password rewritten in the change password memory area 14a of the backup RAM 14 and the password rewritten in the change password memory area 31a of the second flash memory 31 coincide with each other (S202: YES), the menu display of the liquid crystal display 21 is conducted (S107) and it is permitted to start execution of the application program (S123) based on that the menu M2 of “2. start of game” is selected in the menu display. Further, based on that the menu M1 of “1. set of password” is selected in the menu display (S109: 1), it is permitted input of the change password by touching each of the areas 22c to 22n of the transparent touch panel 22 (S112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: ARUZE Corp.
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Tanimura
  • Patent number: 7219893
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal panel and a light guiding plate placed at the rear of the liquid crystal panel and formed with a light deflection pattern for guiding light emitted from illumination means into the liquid crystal panel, and a variable display device placed at the rear of the liquid crystal display and having a plurality of reels provided in a row. Parts of the light guiding plate to which the reels are opposed are made light transmission areas. The light guiding plate is formed with a first light deflection pattern on the periphery of the light transmission areas and is formed with a second light deflection pattern in a portion more distant from the light transmission areas than the first light deflection pattern. The first light deflection pattern is denser than the second light deflection pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: ARUZE Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Tanimura, Hirofumi Sekiguchi
  • Publication number: 20070026933
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a CPU and first to fifth variable display portions. The CPU variably or statically displays symbols on the first to fifth variable display portions. When three or more symbols of “HUNTER” are statically displayed, the CPU makes a shift from a base game to a bonus game. In the bonus game, when the three or more symbols of “HUNTER” are statically displayed among the symbols statically displayed on the variable display portions, the CPU continues a game period of the bonus game. In the bonus game, when at least one symbol of “HUNTER” is statically displayed on the first variable display portion, the CPU replaces symbols other than the symbol of “HUNTER”, which are statically displayed on the first variable display portion, by the symbols of “HUNTER”, thereby continuing the game period of the bonus game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: Aruze Corp.
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Tanimura
  • Publication number: 20060247004
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a gaming operation execution device, a loading device and a processing device. The gaming operation execution device executes gaming operations. The loading device includes a connector for connecting a storage medium, a first program memory part for storing a first authentication program, a second program memory part for storing a second authentication program, and a first processor for authenticating the first authentication program with the second authentication program. The processing device includes a memory, a reading unit for reading out the gaming information from the storage medium and for reading out the first authentication program authenticated by the first processor, a second processor for authenticating the gaming information with the authenticated first authentication program, a writing unit for writing the authenticated gaming information to the memory, and an operation control unit for controlling the gaming operation execution device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: Aruze Corp.
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Tanimura
  • Publication number: 20060247005
    Abstract: A gaming machine includes a gaming operation execution device, a loading device and a processing device. The gaming operation execution device executes gaming operations. The loading device includes a connector for connecting a storage medium which stores gaming information, a program memory for storing an authentication program, and a processor for authenticating the gaming information with the authentication program. The processing device is connected to the loading device and includes a readable and writable memory, a reading unit for reading out the gaming information authenticated by the processor, a writing unit for writing the gaming information to the readable and writable memory, and an operation control unit for controlling the gaming operation execution device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: Aruze Corp.
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Tanimura
  • Publication number: 20060240888
    Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a gaming board and a mother board. The gaming board comprises a boot ROM and a card slot. The boot ROM stores therein an authentication program for authenticating a gaming program and a gaming system program stored in a memory card. The card slot receives the memory card therein. The mother board comprises a main CPU and a RAM. The main CPU reads the authentication program from the boot ROM and the gaming program and gaming system program from the memory card received in the card slot. The main CPU executes an authentication process for the read gaming program and gaming system program according to the read authentication program. The main CPU writes the authenticated gaming program and gaming system program to the RAM. The main CPU controls a game proceeding according to the written gaming program and gaming system program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Applicant: ARUZE CORP.
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Tanimura