GB2467393A - A retrofit attachment for coin-operated amusement machines - Google Patents

Abstract

An independent display assembly to retrofit to coin operated amusement machines which will include an interface control unit to capture electrical signals from its host machine. Preferably, it will include a computer, at least one image capture device such as a camera, an audio capture device, speakers and at least one video display. The assembly preferably also has a network connection to the internet that allows data to be uploaded and downloaded to and from the assembly. Advertisement data for display by the assembly may be downloaded from the internet. Data from the assembly relating to the operation of the amusement machine and the assembly itself my by uploaded to a remote computer. Once a day, the system may perform an update to check system integrity. The assembly may have three local databases to record amusement machine transactions such as coin input and prize output, advertisement data and advertisement log data so that advertisers can be billed.

Description

AN ATTACHMENT FOR A COiN OPERATED MACHINE TO PROVIDE IMAGES AND

ENTERTAINMENT WTTH INDEPENDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

BACKGROTTh4D There are many types of coin operated entertainment machines and vending machines which have long been a major attraction in amusement arcades, pubs, leisure attractions, shopping centres and many other locations which provide the public with the opportunity to enjoy themselves and to purchase products. These can be for example amusement cranes/grabbers, kiddie sit on rides, gambling machines, vending machines and the wide range of redemption machines. These machines are operated by the owner of the establishment or by a thiixt party who attends on a regular basis to empty the machine and share the income with the owner.

The first issue we saw was that you were limited to just the income that the machine provided when it was being played or used, and that there was the potential to generate additional income from using the machine as an advertising medium when it was sitting idle. The second issue was that with most existing cranes you could only view the prizes from the side. As you cannot view it from above you cannot be sure when moving the claw that it is in the ideal position. The third issue is when the amusement machine is owed by a third party who is based some distance fnI)m the site they have to visit regularly to empty the machine, which is time consuming and costly. ideally the third party who pifer the site operator to empty the machines and send theirincome share.

This invention will allow almost any coin operated machine to be adapted to solve these issues.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

This is an independent assembly to attach to suitable coin operated amusement machines to enhance their entertainment value and increase their functionality. It consists of a main processor unit in a housing which is connected to the amusement machine via an interface control which can accept signals fn)m the amusement machine. The interface control is capable of capturing signals from any play button or coin acceptor, as well as from the amusement machine's own mechanical counting device i.e. coin or prize meter.

The signals received into the interface contiol are then interpreted by the main processor unit which will then record the event in an internal database and will then trigger another event to occur. The main pmcessor is capable of controlling and playing both audio and video events stored in it' memoiy, as well as capturing both video and sound and playing these in real time on a limitless numberof display sciens ofall types i.e. CRT, Plasma,LCD and Projectorand willinterfacewith any sound system. The images displayed and the sounds heard are determined by the signals received by the interface control, whose input is controlled by an event fmm the host amusement machine.

The device is supplied in a kit form to convert an existing amusement machine. The kit will be in a standard frame but with the ability to adapt to be able to fit the wide range of machines it can be attached to.

The device connects to the internet via a wired or wireless connection and is programmed to send details of all triggered events to a database on a web server. Remote access software is able to access the data stored on the web server, interpret the data and then download it to another location.

INTRODUCTIONS TO DRAWiNGS

An example of the invention will flow be described by referring to the accompanying dmwings and illustrations: Figure one shows it attached to a crane with a camera and a second video screen Figure two shows it attached to a sit on ride with additional video screen Figure three shows it attached to a frnit machine Figure four shows it attached to a vending machine Figure five is a block diagram of the control system to allow for different applications.

Whilst the invention is susceptible to various modifications the illustrations show a single example which is not intended to be limited to just this particular form. The invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives llhlling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF BLOCK DIAGRAM

An IBM compatible PC (1) of minimum specification Tntel Core 2 duo 2.0 GHz, with 2Gb Ram, 100Gb Hard drive, 3 xUSB-2 interfaces, lOObase Ethernet Connection or suitable wireless interface (4). Ivlicrosoft Windows XP pro. Connected to 2 LCD displays (12, 13 & 14) A permanent internet connection of 1mb or above vianetwo� interface (4) A signal Interface boani (2) capable of counting 20 separate electrical pulses created by relays and delivering the count of all pulses as digital information to the IBM PC (1) A camem (3) capable of delivering moving video as a steady stream to the IBM PC (1) A Local database (LDB 1) to store information that counts game activity such as coins input and prizes output along with the time and date of each activity event, from host machine (7).

A Local database (LI)32 to store information that counts adveits displayed along with the time and date ofthis display A Local database (1JM3 3) to store adverts to be displayed A remote database (Ri)Bh (connected via the internet through network interface (4)) to stole information that counts game activity such as coins input and prizes output along with the time and date of each activity event.

A remote database (RD82 (connected via the internet through network interface (4)) to stom information that counts adverts displayed along with the time and date of this display A remote database (RI)B3 (connected via the internet through network interface (4)) to store adverts to be displayed A software pmgramto rnn on the IBM PC (1)that interacts with the signal interface boanl (2),the cament (3), the local database, and the remote database, and displays results on2 LCD displays (12, 13 & 14) (SPU.

A second software pmgram that rnns on a separate IBM PC that is connected to the remote databases, (RDB 1, RDB2, RDB3), thus allowing all advert and machine activity to be monitored and managed remotely. (SP2).

System Functionality On power up (AC mains (5)) of the IBM PC (1) the following actions are automatically launched: 1. The camera (3) is powered up and made available for use by the software 2. The Signal Interface board (2) is powered up and made available foruse bythe software 3. The software is launched.

On software launch the following actions are commenced 1. The software initia uses the Signal Interface board (2), staying in constantcomniunication with it.

2. The software commences communication with the camera (3)so moving images can be displayed via (12, 13 &14) as necessary using Microsoft Direct Show technology and stays in constant communication with it.

3. The software connects to the internet via the network in terface (4) to update all local databases (LD1,LDB2,LDB3) from the remote databases (RDBI,RDB2RDB3).

4. Once all local databases are updated then the software downloads all adverts from the internet (via the network interface (4))so theycan be displad locally 5. Once all adverts are downloaded then thesoftware disconnects from the internetand starts displaying advertsas listed in its database (LDB3) in cyclical order.

6. On completion of each advert it logs in the local database (LDBIZ) and the next is displayed.

7. Adverts are created and displayed using Web browsertechnology including Adobe Flash.

8. The display ofadverts can be interrupted at any point by the insertion ofa coin into thegames machine (signal from host machine (7). This insertion triggers a relay to create a pulse that is counted by the interface board (2). The Software notesthis pulse (because it is in constant communication with the signal interface board(2))and as a re9Jlt halts the advertdisplay and switches to Camera Mode which displays the moving image frDm the camera (3) whilst simultaneously playing an audio track (via sound output (8) sound interface (9) and speakers/headphones (10)to announce the change. This event logs in the local database (WB:L).

9. Whilst the software is in camera mode it displays on its screens via (12, 13 & 14) thecamera (3) outputand continues to play the audio track associated with this action via (8, 9 &1O).

10. The camera mode for the software is ended byproduct deliverywhich triggers another relay from the host machine (7) to create a pulse that is counted independently of the first pulse bythe signal interface board (2). Because the software isin constant communication with the interface board (2) then product delivery will almost instantaneously end the camera mode. This event is logged in the local database (LOBI).

11. Ending of the Camera mode forthe softwarecausesSuccess Mode to be entered.This mode delivers a success message on the screens (12, 13 & 14), and an audio success message to be sounded via (9, 10 &11). Success Mode is a timed mode and when the period ends the software changes back to Advert Mode.

12. On re-commencement of Advert Mode the adverts are then started from the beginning of the advert that was interrupted at stage 8 above.

13. The software allows for multiple coin insertion by counting the difference between Coin Insert Pulses and Product Delivery Pulses (signal from host machine (7)).The softwarewill not return to Advert Mode until all coins are matched with product delivery.

14. At regular intervals (10 minutes or similar) the remote databases (ROBI. RDB2 are updated with the information from local databases (LDBI, LDB2 via network interface (4).

15. At least once a day the system perfo rms an update similar to the boot up procedure so that system integrity is checked, databases are checked, databases are updated and adverts are updated.

16. All remote databases are also available to the second software program (SP2) so that the machine operation can be monitored remotely and any problems brought to the attention of management.

Claims (3)

1. ADGRAB CLAIMS -Application No. GBO91 2997.4 1) A piece of equipment that can be retro fitted to any coin operated Amusement Math me and enhance that machine (the host) and its functionality.
2. 2) A piece of equipment according to claim I that is able to collect and store data relating to coin inputs or any other signal detected from its host machine.
3. 3) A piece of equipment according to claim I that is able to transmit data via a network (Internet) that it has stored from data collected from its host machine 4) A piece of equipment according to daim I that is able to play sounds and or display video images which are triggered by capturing electrical signals from its host machine to enhance its appeal or give more interactive game play.5) A piece of equipment according to claim I that is able to be remotely instructed to display video images and or play sounds as required by the operator and to store data in relation to these instructions.6) A piece of equipment that is able to periodically send a signal via a network (internet) to report that it is switched on and functioning. * * * **S S * S S.SSSS S... I.. . S * S S *S