US5024439A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slot machine
Assignee: UNIVERSAL 3-22-9 TAKANAWA MINATO-KU TOKYO JAPAN KK
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Filing: 1990-08-21
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Granted: 1991-06-18
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Expires: 2010-08-21
Abstract
Abstract Whether or not a game of a slot machine can result in a hit is determined before the symbol series stop moving, and preferably when a start lever is manipulated for starting the motion of the symbol series. For a game that can be a hit, the speed of movement of the symbol series is switched from a high speed to a low speed, or the speed is set at a low speed from the outset. For a game that cannot be a hit, the symbol series move at a high speed from the outset. From the difference between the speeds of movement, a player can know whether the game can be a hit even while the game is still in progress.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuo Okada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:31
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/3225; G07F17/3227; G07F17/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A slot machine having a plurality of series of symbols movable past a viewing window during the playing of a game, comprising: hit determining means for determining before said symbol series stop moving whether said game can be a hit; and speed setting means responsive to said hit determining means for changing the speed of movement of at least one of said symbol series in accordance with a determination made by said hit determining means so that the possibility of said hit can be visually suggested while the symbols are still moving.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A slot machine having a plurality of series of symbols movable past a viewing window during the playing of a game, comprising: hit determining means for determining before said symbol series stop moving whether said game can be a hit; and speed setting means responsive to said hit determining means for changing the speed of movement of at least one of said symbol series in accordance with a determination made by said hit determining means so that the possibility of said hit can be visually suggested while the symbols are still moving.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A slot machine according to claim 1, further comprising stop means for stopping the motion of each of said symbol series.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A slot machine according to claim 1, wherein, for a game that can be a hit, each of said symbol series moves initially at a first speed and moves at a second speed lower than said first speed after a predetermined time has elapsed from the beginning of movement of each of said symbol series.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A slot machine according to claim 3, wherein, if said game that can be a hit becomes instead a lost game, each of said symbol series moves at said second speed in the next game from the beginning of said next game.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A slot machine according to claim 4, wherein said speed setting means changes said speed only for a hit with a large award to a player.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A slot machine according to claim 1, wherein said symbol series are carried on the outer peripheries of reels rotated by pulse motors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A slot machine according to claim 1, wherein, for a game that can be a hit, each of said symbol series moves initially at a first speed and, after one of said symbol series stops, the remaining symbol series move at a second speed lower than said first speed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A slot machine according to claim 1, wherein, for a game that can be a hit, each of said symbol series moves at a first speed and, for a game that cannot be a hit, thereafter moves at a second speed higher than said first speed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-17 | 1994-12-17 | 1995-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-17 | 1998-12-17 | 1999-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-17 | 2002-12-17 | 2003-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |