CA2348317C - Coin and bill video game terminal system - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin operated video game terminal system includes a tournament mode, as well as an option for a user to enter a random draw for each game played. This arrangement acts as an incentive for competitive play, as yell as rewarding users for games played. The system also allows identification and tracking of users which is useful information for the terminal provider. Each terminal cracks games played and money received, and forwards the information to a central computer. Electronic financial tracking of revenue received allows the location operator to access and remove the actual cash received and the location operator is then billed by the terminal provider for his share of revenue received.

Description

TITLE: COIN AND BILL VIDEO GAME TERMINAL SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE II~fVENTION
The present invention relates to video game terminal systems, anal in particular, to video game terminal systems inhere a number of terminals are linked and share information with a remote computer.
Coin and bill operated video game terminals provide a. popular t~ource of entertainment are commonly provided in bars and restaurants.
The sophi:~tication of the video games continues to increase and the processing capability and speed of the terminal has also increased. Most video game terminals now use a computer processor similar to pentium processors and include extensive me~:nory storage arrangements for audio and graphical files used by the video games. Some video game terminals have as many as 60 (+) different games which can be played, some of w:~ich are very memory intensive, whereas other games such as ;simple card games, require much less memory.
The terminals provide additional revenue which is normally divided between the location owner and a company which is :providing or leasing the terminal to the particular location. Some video game terminals have been linked with a central computer for operating certain games in a tournament mode. The game results of the particular tournamenv game are provided to a central computer and the results a:re accessible at each germinal. It is common in such tournaments tc have a local leading score as well as the overa:Ll network 7_eading scores.
Prizes have been suggested with respect to rewarding the individual leaders of the tournament but in many juri:~dictions, :>uch an arrangement is illegal. The advantage of the tournament mode is that it acts as an inducement and the number of games played per terminal typically goes up.
Surprisingly, Borne individual patrons are high users of the terminal and often this use is dominated by one particular game. From a marketing point of view, it would be desirable to have additional information with respect to the number of users using a particular terminal, the particular games played, as well as the frequency with which games are played by location and by user.
The present invention provides a system which encourages the identification of users and acts as an inducement promoting 'use of the terminal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A coin anoL/or bill operated video game terminal according to the present invention, allows for playing of a video game and the entry of information identifying the user. It also allows entry of the user in a random draw or contest. The apparat=us game terminal comprises a payment arrangeme::~t for receiving payment and authorizing initiatio::x of a game from a series of games retained in memory. :~ registration query provided on a touch screen of the game verminal allows the entry of registration information to properly identify a user. In addition the terminal <~llows ent=ry of a PIN number assigned to a previously registered user t=o act. as part of the sign :in procedure.
The terminal includes a counting arrangement for maintaining a count for each registered user which count is incremented with each authorized game associated with the user. A communication arrangement associated with the terminal c:ommunicate~> with a separate remote computer and provides t=hereto the c:ounts of the different registered users for entry in a random draw, based on each count providing an opportunity to win the draw.
According to an aspect of the invention, the coin operated game terminal provides the user with a host of games for selection and each game, when activated, by an identified registered user will increment the count of the user.
A coin operated video game terminal according to the present invention comprises a touch screen for accommodating user input of information, a series of games displayed on the touch screen for possible selection and play by user, either as a non identified user or as a particular registere~3 user. The terminal includes a payment arrangement for accepting payment and initiating play of any of said series of games. An onscreen registration option :is provided for registration of a player with the terminal, and automatically enters the player in a random d~=aw based on the number of times games are playe~3 by the user and :identified as being played by a particular user.
The game terminal includes a counting arrangement for tracking the number of games played by the registered user and <~utomatical~_y enters the registered users in a random drew based on t:he number of games played identified as being played by r_he regi:~tered user.
According to a further aspect of the invention, at least some of the games of the video game terminal are operated un a tournament mode and a ranking is provided of at least :several leading registered users and their particular best game x-esults.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the game terminal. includes a communication arrangement for communicating registration information and count inf=ormation of a registered user to a remote computer which maintains the information for entry in the random draw.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the game terminal includes a non volatile memory arrangement for maintaining registration and count information until such information is communicated to the remote computer.
According t:o yet a further aspect of the invention, only a limited number of games are operated :in Random Draw (Touch and Win) mode at any given time and draw mode games are clearly identified and distinguishable from non tournament mode games when said games are displayed on said touch screen for selection.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the game -terminal identifies certain games as being available for purchase by a user and payment for the purchase of the game made using said payment arrangement and delivery arrangement as provided by the user using the touch screen to enterr sufficient information to allow delivery ~of the game. Profit from purchased game revenue received :oy the term_Lnal is split between the manufacturer, operator ;end location according to a predetermined distribution.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the delivery information is an e-mail address and said came is provided in an e-mail to said e-mail address.
According to yet a further aspect of the invention; the terminal provides said game purchase and delivery unformation to said remote computer for delivery of said game to said e-mail address.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the coin operated video game terminal includes a revenue :haring arrangement.. Revenue collected by the video gartie terminal is divided between an on site operator and a terminal provider. The terminal maintains an electronic count of revenue collected and communicates this electronic count to a remote computer using the communication arrangement. The on site operator is debited for the ~~ortion of the collected revenue due to the terminal provider for the benefit of the terminal provider, and the operator removes and receives the benefit of the revenue collected by the video game terminal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a video game terminal;
Figure 2 ~;hows one possible default screen used to allow a user to select a desired mode of play;
Figure 3 is a screen used to allow a registered player to sign in or to allow a new player to be linked to a registration screen;
Figure 4 is a player registration screen;
Figure 5 is a tournament mode screen;
Figure 6 is a game selection screen;
Figure 7 is a schematic representation showing a series of game terminals linked by a remote computer; and Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a video game terminal system which allows revenue distribution between an operator and a terminal provider.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The video game terminal 2 of Figure 1 has a touch screen 4 for the inputs of information by the user to the terminal. The touch screen allows the user to play the particul~ir game, to activate different games, and to input other information when necessary.
For example, the computer software can provide a representation on t:h.e touch screen which includes a registration screen having a keyboard representation at the bottom. This keyboard representation allows the user to input typed information to the terminal. A payment arrangement 6, in this case, includes a coin acceptor 8 and a bill acceptor 10. Other payment arrangements are possible.
The terminal has a communication cable 12 for connection to a communication system whereby information from the terminal c:an be communicated to a remote computer.
Different types of communication arrangements can be used, including communication through the telephone system.
The video game terminal of Figure 1 is typically provided in a bar or restaurant location.
Figure 2 a;hows one possible default screen. This screen promotes play of a particular game "JAZZ DREAM".
Activation of the screen in the "JAZZ DREAM" area initiates the start of the game.=_. Four activation areas "TOUCH AND
WIN", "NEW", "TOP" and "MORE GAMES" are provided at the right hand edge. Ac1=:ivation of "TOUCH AND WIN" takes the player to the sign in screen of Figure 3. Activation of "NEW" pro~3uces a screen illustrating new games. Activation of "TOP" 'takes the player to the screen of Figure 6 listing the top g;~mes in the first r_olumn, and other game criteria in the second column.. Activation of "MORE GAMES" provides a screen ;similar to t:he screen of Figure 6 but having other games in i~he first column.
It has been found that different games appeal to different clients and games popular in one location may not be popular in anothez:v location. There is also a time element to certain games. For example, a new game may be introduced and become extremely popular only to be replaced in popularity by a. different game sometime later.
Typically, less than 50 percent of the games contribute 80 percent of the revenue, but the popular games vary from time to time. A player touches the screen at the appropriate location to activate a game, or input different instructions.
The touch screen 4 of Figure 6 has icons 20 represen~~ing a partual listing of games that are possible.
In addition, there is a tournament icon 24 (TOUCH AND WIN) allowing a player to activate the tournament function.
Activation of this icon takes the player to the sign :in screen oi_ Figure 3. A previously registered user fills in his "nicl~:name" and ~>assword. Acceptance of these terms takes the player to the screen of Figure 5.
The screen of Figure 5 displays the present tournament or contest game "PICSONIX" and a list of present leaders. The first. column of activation icons is a list of games including the present contest game "PICSONIX". The second cclumn at the right hand edge of the activation screen provides details of the current contest "PICSONIX", details of past contwst games, details of future contest games, as well as Rules of the contest. A play icon is also provided beneath the details of the contest game. It is preferred that on:Ly one game be in contest mode at any one point in time, however, multiple contest games can be operating at the same time.
Figures 3 and 4 show screens with a keyboard representation 44 a:17_owing a player to input information necessary for registration or sign in.
The coin operated video game terminals 2 provide additiona7_ revenue fc>r the particular establishment which is shared with the provider of the terminal. The removal VdH-11 239CA
of the coins and bills which accumulate in the video game terminal has previously been labour intensive as the terminal provider is typically in control, or present, when the "cash. box" is opened. This requires a collector to physically attend at each location and open each cash box with someone .from the location being present. The funds can then be divided in the predetermined manner.
Unfortunately, this approach is labour intensive and subject to shrinkage. Some steps to provide a cross check on the amount of rev~=nue received by a terminal are ' provided in the form of an electronic count, however, the electronic count is often disputed.
Video game terminals which can operate in a tournament mode and .in particular, a tournament mode where a host of different t:ermina:ls are integrated such as that shown in :Figure 7, enhance revenue generation. The operation of a tournament mode where prizes are awarded are illegal in some jurisdictions. This is unfortunate as such tournaments do normally significantly increase the number of games played. The video game terminal of the present invention allows for a tournament mode where the individual results o:F a termina7_ are communicated to the remote computer 50 shown in Figure 5. These results are tabulated and maintained and the overall leaders from all terminals are provided to each terminal for posting (see Figure 5).
The tournament is operated f:or personal satisfaction and the satisi=action derived from the competition. No prizes are awarded.
The video game terminal allows registration of a player by completing the registration screen of Figure 4.
During registration, a user inputs a "nickname" and a password, as well as his real name, and telephone number.
The password and "nickname" allows the player to use the simplified sign in screen of Figure 3 for subsequent games.
The tournament mode does not assign prizes and merely allows different players to compete with players within - g _ their own location <~s well as to compete with players from other locations. The results are posted and tabulated and are view,~ble on each of the terminals. In addition, the registravion process allows identification of the users and tracking of the games by user which information is available to the location operator and the terminal provider.
Furthermore, each registered user, when he initiate: a game, :u; automatically entered in a random draw for which prizes are awarded. For each additional game that he plays, an ad.diti.ona.l entry in the random draw is made. This rewarding of registered users for playing of games by entry into a. random draw, based on games played, satisfie~~ the legal. requirements of many jurisdictions. It has also been found to enhance the participation by all users as the prizes are not associated with the skill of the user. Skilled players still have the possibility to compete against other skilled players for the pure competitive enjoyment thereof with their results being posted to the particular terminals. In addition, they are entered in the random draw.
A further feature of the invention is shown in the system of Figure 8. A host of video game terminals 2 are connected to a computer 66 and provide this central computer with inform<~tion identifying the particular terminal, the location of the terminal, and counting information regarding the number of games played, identific<~tion of wh_._ch games have been played, the revenue that has been received by the video game terminal, and user information. The central computer 66 tabulates the results from the individual germinal and combines them if there are a number of termina:L:> at a particular location, and provides a report to the particular location. The report can be provided through the mail as indicated by communication line '72, back to the individual terminals indicated by the communication path 74, or can be posted on VdH-7.1 239CA
a webpage or sent by e-mail as indicated by path 70. In all case:, the accounting department of the particular location is provided with a report and bill information regarding the revenue collected by the individual terminal: .
The operator of the particular location is provided with the keys to the cash box and is responsible for removing the funds which have been received. The bills that are provided to the particular location provide a summary of the revenue received and the portion of this revenue which is due to the terminal provider. In the system shown, the accounting group 62 of the location, authorizes a financial institution 64 to debit the account of the terminal provider.
If there is any dispute at the particular location between the funds collected and the report provided by the central computer, these can be immediately identified and resolved. If a particular location is always short, the terminals can be removed by the terminal provider as the report should be accurate. The terminal provider can also provide statistics of other locations regarding the accuracy of the reports. This arrangement provides an electronic reporting of revenue generated by particular terminals and avoids the necessity of having both parties present to empty the cash box and distribute the funds. It can :bE=_ appreciated that this electronic system can involve a financial institution such that t:he funds can be electronically transferred from one account to another, based on the report: s.
Appendix A lists one set of possible contest rules. These rules preferrably can be accessed at each terminal (see Figure 5) and displayed on the terminal screen. ~Che rules px-eferrably allow entry into the draw without any use of the terminal. Any party of an eligible age can mail in an entry to a particular location and if WH-._1 239CA
the entry meets the particular requirements, it will be entered in the draw. This capability may be required by certain ;jurisdictions for t:he draw to be acceptable.
With the :present invention, the terminal provider as well ~~s the operator can be provided with additional information which icLentifies the users of the terminals and the frequency at which the terminal is used by a particular user and the games selected by the user.
In a furtl:ler option of the invention, it is possible to have a user purchase a home version of one or more of the games c>r certain games that are available for sale. The user can merely activate a purchase game icon, select tr.e particular game which he is interested in purchasing and provide information with respect to the delivery of the game. Payment is made using the coin acceptor, the bill validator, or a credit/debit card reader. Preferrably, the purchase information is provided to a central computer and the computer game is delivered to the user by e-mail. Other delivery arrangements are possible.
The terminal has been described as having a touch screen input, however, a touch pad is also possible. The touch pad is less expensive but is typically more limited with respect to display capabilities.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variation; may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invent~on or the scope of the appended claims.

APPENDIX A
1. Contest Sclxedule The contest mns from February 1, 2000 to February 29, 2000.
CONTEST START DATE COMPLETION DATE DRAW DATE

Contest 02/01/2000 02/29/2000 03/14/2000 A

2. li ibili 2.1 To enter and claim a prize, a person must be a resident of Canada who has reached the age of majority in the province in which he/she resides. Employees (and their immediate f~unilies) of JVL, any of its affiliates, participating retailers and their respective advertising and promotion agencies are not eligible to participate.
2.2 For the purposes of these rules, the entrant is the person whose name is submitted at point of play or appears on the handwritten entry. This is the person who will be awarded the prize subject to these rules, no matter who recorded the; entry.
3. ~Iow To Enter 3.1 You are automatically entered each time you register and play our Touch and Win game. To be eligible for enl:ry, game play must be completed by midnight of the contest completion date. Sere contest schedule for completion date.
3.2 No purchase necessary. If ;you do not wish to register and play our Touch and Win game, ;you may enter the contest by legibly completing a~andwritten letter of approximately 50 words in length explaining why you enjoy recreational video games. Also, legibly print by hand, your name, complete address, telephone number and age on a separate piece of paper. Mail both together to Touch and Win, P.O. Ftox 686, Maple, Ontario, L6A 1 S5. You may enter as many times as you wish, but each entry must be mailed separately. Photocopies or mechanical reproductions will not be accepted. Please ensure both the letter and the printed personal ini:ormation are post-marked no later than midnight of February 29, 2000. JVL will not be responsible for lost, late or misdirected mailed entries.

4. 'zes The prizes for the contest are: as follows:
I St Prize: $00000 approximate retail value (Canadian retail value before applicable taxes.) 2nd Prize: $00000 approximate retail value (Canadian retail value before applicable taxes.) 3rd Prize $0000 approximate retail value (Canadian retail value before applicable taxes.) Prizes must be accepted as awarded without substitution. Unless otherwise specified in tlhese rules, prizes are not transferable, cannot be redeemed for cash value and cannot be exchanged or bartered.
The chances ~of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received.
If, at any time, taxes are imposed on draw winnings, the winner of a prize in this draw shall be; totally responsible for payment of any such taxes.
NOTE: By accepting a prize, the participant agrees not to hold JVL liable for any damages, claims, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the use or misuse of such prizes. JVL makes no warranties, guarantees or representations of any kind, express or implied, with respect to the prizes, and shall not be liable for any loss, expense (including without limitation, attorneys' fees) accident or inconvenience that may occur in the use of such prizes, or as a result of any defect or failure. Any implied wawanties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose are specifically disc,Uaimed.
S. The Draw There will be; a random electronic draw open to the public from among all eligible entries. The draw will be held at the offices of JVL at 553 Basaltic Road, Concord, Ontario at 12:OOprn on March 14~', 2000. The selected entrants will be contacted by phone by contest organizers before being declared the contest winners. The selected entrants must correctly answer a time-limited mathematical skill-testing question and sign a declaration and release form as more fully described in section 6.2 before being declared the contest winners.
The first name drawn will be; eligible to receive the first prize. The second name drawn will be eligible to receive the second prize and the third name drawn will be eligible to receive the third prize.
6. ~Vliscellane~us 6.1 By participating in this contest, entrants agree to be bound by these rules. Each winner will be notified by and will receive his/her prize from TVL. No correspondance will be undc;rtaken, except with the selected entrants and winners.

6.2 The prize shall be awarded subject to the selected entrant correctly answering a time-limited, mathematical skill-testing question posed over the phone, and signing a declaration and release stating that he/she:
a) has read, understood and complied with these rules;
b) accepts thc: prize as awarded; and, c) absolves TVL of liability fir any damage of whatsoever nature that may occur in connection with entering the contest and accepting or using the prize.
In signing thc; form, the selecaed entrants also authorize JVL to use their name, photo, image, voice, and any statement about the prize for the purpose of announcing the contest winners' identity, or for any other contest-related purpose, without payment or further approval. Non-compliance with section 6.2 will result in disqualification and forfeiture of the prize, in which case an alternate winner will b~e selected in the, manner, described in section 5, this section and section 6.3.
6.3 Starting at 9:OOam on the day following the prize draw, attempts will be made to contact the sf:lected eligible entrants at the telephone number on their electronic registration or handprinted entry between gam and 9pm for a period of 5 working days. If an eligible entrant cannot be contacted within the allotted time, he/she is no longer eligible to receive .a prize and another entrant will be drawn and the process of contacting the new entrant will be repeated, all in the manner described in section 5 and 6.2 and this section.
6.4 All decisions by contest organizers relating to this contest are final.
6.5 The contest wvinners' names may be obtained by sending a self addressed stamped envelope within three months after the relevant draw date to Touch and Win, P.O.
Box 686 Maple, Ontario, L6A 155.
6.6 All prizes must be claimed vvithin one month after the draw. Unclaimed prizes will not be awarded.
6.7 The contest i.s subject to all ;applicable federal, provincial and municipal legislation.

6.8 Disputes frorn residents of Quebec respecting the organization or conduct of a promotional ~~ontest may be submitted to La Regie des Alcools, des Courses et des Jeux du (~uebec for a ruling. Disputes respecting the awarding of a prize may be submitted to La Regie onlly for the purpose of helping the parties to reach a settlement.

Claims (18)

1. A networked system of pay to play video game terminals where each terminal communicates with a remote central computer;
each terminal including a series of video games stored in memory with said games displayed on said terminal for selection and play by a user, a payment arrangement for receiving payment and authorizing initiation of a game from a series of games retained in memory, said series of games including identification of a limited portion thereof eligible for qualifying the user for an entry into a random draw coordinated by said central computer, a registration query displayable on each terminal to allow registration of a new user or entry of a PIN
assigned to a previously registered user for identification of the user with respect to said games eligible for said random draw, a counting arrangement for maintaining a count for each registered user which count is incremented based on the play of each eligible game associated with the registered user, and a communication arrangement for communicating with said remote central computer and providing thereto the counts of the different registered users for entry in a random draw based each count providing an opportunity to win.

2. A networked system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said registration query provides the user with a series of options including the option to decline registration or identification of the user.

3. A networked system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each terminal is a video display terminal having a touch screen.

4. A networked system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said registration query when activated for registration of a new user causes a form to be displayed on said video terminal together with a displayed keypad for entering information.

5. A networked system as claimed in claim 1 including a limited number of said series of games eligible for a tournament for fame contest where the names of the players with the highest score are displayed on said terminals based on the collective results received from the terminals.

6. A networked system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said remote computer and each game terminal communicates in a predetermined manner and each game terminal provides new registrations to said remote computer on a batch basis.

7. A networked system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said remote computer from time to time provides game terminals with a number of PINs and said game apparatus assigns one of said PINS to each new registration to uniquely identify the registration by said assigned PIN.

8. A networked system as coed in claim 7 wherein each game terminal maintains in non volatile memory said registrations and assigned PINS until said game terminal is in communication with said remote central computer.

9. A pay to play video game terminal comprising a touch screen for accommodating user input of information, a series of games displayed on said touch screen for possible selection and play by a user, said series of games including identification of a limited portion thereof eligible for play in a random draw contest mode, a payment arrangement for accepting payment and initiating play of any of said series of games, an on screen registration option for registration of a player with said terminal and automatically enter said player in a random draw based on the number of times any of said eligible games are played by a registered user, said game terminal including a counting arrangement for tracking the number of eligible games played by a registered user and automatically entering the registered users in a random draw based on the number of eligible games played identified as being played by the registered user.

10. A pay to play video game terminal as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least some of said games are operated in a tournament mode and a ranking is provided of at least several leading registered users and their particular best game results.

11. A pay to play video game terminal as claimed in claim wherein said terminal includes a communication arrangement for communicating registration information and count information of a registered user to a remote computer which maintains the information for entry in the random draw.

12. A pay to play video game terminal as claimed in claim in claim 11 wherein said terminal includes a non volatile memory arrangement for maintaining registration information and count information until such information is communicated to the remote computer.

13. A pay to play video game ter as claimed in claim 12 wherein said game terminal includes user activated means for displaying the rules of the random draw contest on the touch screen.

14. A pay to play video game terminal as claimed in claim 12 including a limited number of games which are operated in a tournament mode and tournament mode games are clearly identified and distinguishable from non tournament mode games when said games are displayed on said touch screen for selection.

15. A pay to play video game terminal as claimed in claim 9 wherein certain of said series of games are available for purchase by a user and payment is made using said payment arrangement and delivery information is provided by the user using said touch screen to enter sufficient information to allow delivery of said game.

16. A pay to play video game tern as claimed in claim 15 wherein said terminal provides said game purchase and delivery information to said remote computer for delivery of said game to said email address.

17. A pay to play video game terminal as claimed in claim 9 wherein revenue collected by said video game terminal is divided between an onsite operator and a terminal provider, said terminal maintaining an electronic count of revenue collected and communicating said electronic count to a remote computer using said communication arrangement and said onsite operator is debited for the portion of the collected revenue due to terminal provider for the benefit of the terminal provider and said operator removes and receives the benefit of the revenue collected by said video game terminal.

18. A pay to play video game terminal as claimed in claim 9 wherein said limited portion of said series of games eligible for said random draw are also operated in tournament mode and said separate remote computer provides to said terminal a ranking of at least several leading registered users and their particular best game results which is displayed on said terminal.