IP Library Granted Patent US 7,878,897
Granted Patent B2
US 7,878,897 · App. 11/902,116 · Granted Feb 1, 2011

Gaming machine

Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,878,897
App. No.
11/902,116
Granted
Feb 1, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A gaming machine includes: a CPU 106 which determines whether or not a game state is to be switched to a special game state; mechanical reels 30 A through 30 C formed of a translucent material and operative to display multiple kinds of indicating information variably and statically; a motor driving circuit 120 which controls the display operation of the mechanical reels 30 A through 30 C; a water tank 500 formed of a translucent material to retain liquid, and provided behind a display screen 10 ; a gaming effects medium insertion device 600 which inserts units of a gaming effects medium 650 into the water tank 500 ; and a drive control circuit 300 which controls the gaming effects medium insertion device 600 to insert units of the gaming effects medium 650 into the water tank 500 according to a special determination made by the CPU 106.

Claims (21)

1. A gaming machine comprising:

an operating device for allowing a player to operate the gaming machine;

a game control device having a function whereby, when the player performs an operation on the operating device, determination is made of whether or not a game state is to be switched to a special game state advantageous to the player;

a display device for displaying multiple kinds of indicating information variably and statically that is formed of a translucent material;

a display control device for controlling, according to the determination made by the game control device, a display operation of the display device for displaying the indicating information variably and statically;

a water tank which is provided behind a display screen for displaying the indicating information provided by the display device, retains liquid, and is formed of a translucent material;

a special game control device having a function whereby, when the player operates the operating device, determination is made of whether or not the game state is to be switched to a jackpot game state advantageous to the player;

a payout device for paying out units of a gaming medium;

a payout control device for performing a control operation which instructs the payout device to pay out an amount of the gaming medium according to the determination made by the game control device;

a retention device for deducting a portion from the predetermined amount of the gaming medium to be paid out under the control of the payout control device, and retaining the portion thus deducted;

an insertion device for inserting units of a gaming effects gaming medium into the water tank; and

an insertion control device for controlling the insertion device, wherein

in a case where the special game control device has made a special determination that the game state is to be switched to a jackpot game state, the payout control device performs a control operation which instructs the payout device to pay out the units of the gaming medium retained by the retention device,

and the insertion control device performs a control operation which instructs the insertion device to insert units of the gaming effects gaming medium into the water tank according to the special determination made by the special game control device.

2. A gaming machine according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a removal device for removing the units of the gaming effects gaming medium, which have been inserted into the water tank by the insertion device, from the interior of the water tank; and

a removal control device for controlling the removal device according to the special determination made by the special game control device.

3. A gaming machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a gaming effects retention device for retaining in the water tank the units of the gaming effects gaming medium inserted into the water tank by the insertion device, wherein

the insertion control device performs a control operation which instructs the insertion device to insert into the water tank a quantity of the gaming effects gaming medium according to the amount of the gaming medium retained by the retention device.

4. A gaming machine according to claim 2 , further comprising a gaming effects retention device for retaining in the water tank the units of the gaming effects gaming medium inserted into the water tank by the insertion device, wherein

the insertion control device performs a control operation which instructs the insertion device to insert into the water tank a quantity of the gaming effects gaming medium according to the amount of the gaming medium retained by the retention device.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 21, 2010
From: ARUZE CORP.
To: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025548/0303 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 19, 2007
From: TOYODA, HIROBUMI
To: ARUZE CORP.
Reel/Frame 019906/0527 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2006-258100 · Sep 22, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080076560A1 · Mar 27, 2008