DE102020126288B4 - entertainment device - Google Patents

Abstract

Entertainment device (1) with a housing (2) accommodating its components, with at least one display (3) or at least one pair of displays (3) and input means associated therewith and with a money input unit (4), characterized in that at least one game console ( 12) and control means are present, the game console (12) being activated by means of the control means when an amount of money entered via the money input unit (4) is registered and the displays (3) for the use of the game console (12) being activated, that the control means switching means ( 9) which generate binary switching signals, depending on the switching signals either the game console (12) is activated or the displays (3) are activated to display information, and that the switching means (9) are controlled by the money input unit (4). , wherein the money input unit (4) is connected to the switching means (9) via a timer (14).

Description

The invention relates to an entertainment device.

Entertainment devices to which the present invention relates enable a user to play electronic games.

Such games in the form of computer games are known in many forms. One variant consists in a user downloading games onto his computer, in particular a PC or laptop, and thereby purchasing them.

Game consoles are also known which users can acquire as independent units in order, for example, to carry out sports exercises in the form of competitions.

Game consoles of this type are relatively complex and correspondingly expensive. In addition, these represent a separate additional hardware expense that can only be used to run the games. The degree of utilization of such game consoles is therefore limited.

The DE 197 30 017 A1 relates to a method for operating a coin-operated entertainment device with a symbol game device, possibly an additional prize game device, a screen and a computer-controlled control unit. Game-animating or general commercials are shown computer-controlled on the screen. At least one commercial contains skill game elements that can be combined to form an overall picture using button control and/or random control. If the skill elements are put together correctly, a prize is awarded.

The DE 20 2011 100 510 U1 relates to a multi-lottery online gaming device comprising a main control part connected online to the Internet and/or to a server of a central gaming system, at least one touch screen, at least one activation device for accepting payment means and operating elements. The main controller is provided with connectors for connection to standalone selectable controllers with appropriate games and/or software of betting and gaming systems, the number of standalone selectable controllers depending on the number of lottery and betting industry operating companies and/or the amount of different to be displayed and ongoing types of games and gambling.

The DE 21 2004 000 009 U1 relates to a gaming machine having a gaming machine cabinet and a doorframe attached thereto, further having at least two display monitors secured to said doorframe or said gaming machine cabinet so that they can be viewed through at least one opening in said doorframe when said doorframe is in its closed position, the two display monitors being arranged one above the other at an obtuse angle relative to each other, and the door frame is provided below these two display monitors with a game panel running from one edge of the door frame to the other edge.

The DE 693 09 166 T2 relates to video graphics apparatus for a video system including a video display device, user operable input devices, and a system controller responsive to the user operable input devices and outputting video image signals for driving the display device. The apparatus includes sensing devices connectable to the video system to detect whether the user operable input devices are actuated. In addition, the apparatus includes control means connected to the sensing means and arranged to check the user input means for non-actuation and upon detecting an inactive period of at least a predetermined period of time, the system controller outputting the video image signals for at least a predetermined interval interrupt and replace with alternative image signals for display on the video display device.

The EP 2 122 590 B1 relates to an electronic gaming and/or betting machine, in particular a gaming machine that can be operated with coins and/or a monetary value, with a display device for displaying at least one game and possibly additional information, the display device having at least a first and a second screen on which at least a first screen display, preferably a main game, and a second screen display, preferably an additional game and/or additional information can be displayed. Furthermore, control devices are provided for controlling the games and information displayed on the screens and at least one graphics controller connected downstream of the control device for driving said screens with the screen displays, as well as a control panel for actuating the gaming and/or betting machines. Furthermore, a switching device, which can be actuated by an input device by a device user, for switching the first screen display from the first screen to the second screen and the second screen display from the second screen to the first or one additional screen and/or vice versa, the switching device having manipulation means for swapping the memory addresses that are defined in the at least one graphics controller, or a switchable signal switch for switching over the signal paths between the at least one graphics controller and the screens controlled by it.

The invention is based on the object of providing an entertainment device of the type mentioned at the outset, which can be used flexibly with little structural effort.

To solve this problem, the features of claim 1 are provided. Advantageous embodiments and expedient developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The invention relates to an entertainment device with a housing accommodating its components, with at least one pair of displays and input means assigned to them and with a money input unit. At least one game console and control means are present, the game console being enabled and the displays activated for use of the game console by means of the control means when an amount of money entered via the money input unit is registered. The control means have switching means which generate binary switching signals. Depending on the switching signals, either the game console is unlocked or the displays are activated to display information. The switching means are controlled by the money input unit, the money input unit being connected to the switching means via a timer.

In principle, only a single display can also be provided.

The entertainment device according to the invention represents a compact structural unit that has a cost-effective design and allows use in a wide variety of locations.

An essential advantage of the invention is that the entertainment device forms a unit that can be used commercially, with the entertainment device being able to be used by different users by entering money into the money entry unit. The entertainment device can therefore be used particularly well in public facilities such as bars, cafes and shisha bars.

The handling of the entertainment device is very simple and user-friendly. By entering money in the money entry unit, the game console integrated in the entertainment device is activated immediately, so that two users can then play a game with one another or against one another by using the displays.

According to the invention, the control means have switching means which generate binary switching signals, with either the game console being activated or the displays being activated to display information depending on the switching signals.

In particular, the information is advertising information.

The possible uses of the entertainment devices are thus expanded. While the entertainment device can be used to play a wide variety of games when money is input at the money input unit, the entertainment device is used for the rest of the time as a means of information, in particular as an advertising medium. The displays can be used individually as display areas, in particular advertising areas. For example, the operator of a cafe, a bar, a shisha bar or the like, who sets up the entertainment device on his premises, can use the displays to show information such as the dates of events. Alternatively, he can use the displays as advertising space, whereby the content of the information displayed can be changed at any time.

According to the invention, the switching means are controlled by the cash input unit.

In this case, the money input unit is connected to the switching means via a timer.

In particular, the timer is also used to specify the playing time for which the game console is activated for playing games.

In this case, the playing time for the game console is advantageously specified via the amount of money entered into the money input unit.

A user can thus simply specify the playing time according to his or her wishes.

According to an advantageous implementation in terms of circuitry, the switching means have two inputs. The game console is connected to a first input. A computer unit, which controls the display of the information, is connected to the second input.

Furthermore, the switching means have an output which is designed to control the displays.

The computer unit expediently has a suitable interface via which a selection of information to be displayed can be made.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the money input unit is a coin checking unit and/or a bill checking unit.

By entering different coins and/or bills, the game console can be unlocked for different game times. Access to the game console is thus very quick and easy and without any effort for user authentication.

Alternatively, the cash input unit can be a reading device which is designed to read credit cards. Furthermore, an interface can be provided for digital payment.

According to an advantageous embodiment, this is a portable device.

The entertainment device thus forms a mobile unit that can also be used in confined spaces.

Handles are advantageously attached to the housing, so that the entertainment device can advantageously be conveniently transported by just one person.

The housing of the entertainment device can be designed in a wide variety of forms. In general, housings with different polygonal cross sections are possible. Curved housing surfaces are also possible.

According to an advantageous embodiment, holders for the input means are provided on the outside of the housing.

Operating consoles can be provided as input means.

With the brackets, the input means are accommodated directly on the housing. The input means can thus be stored in a space-saving manner and are immediately available for use by the visitor.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, at least two pairs of displays are provided in the entertainment device. Each pair is assigned a game console and a money input unit.

As a result, multiple users can use the entertainment device at the same time, with two users always playing together and thus using the respective game console.

• 1: Perspektivische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Unterhaltungsgeräts.
• 2: Seitenansicht des Unterhaltungsgeräts gemäß 1.
• 3: Unterhaltungsgerät gemäß 1 in einer Draufsicht von oben.
• 4: Blockschaltbild der Elektronikkomponenten des Unterhaltungsgeräts gemäß 1.
• 5: Schematische Darstellung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels des Unterhaltungsgeräts.

The invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. Show it:

• 1 : Perspective representation of a first exemplary embodiment of the entertainment device according to the invention.
• 2 : Side view of the entertainment device according to 1 .
• 3 : entertainment device according to 1 in a top view.
• 4 : Block diagram of the electronic components of the entertainment device according to 1 .
• 5 : Schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment of the entertainment device.

The 1 until 3 show a first exemplary embodiment of the entertainment device 1 according to the invention. The components of the entertainment device are integrated in a housing 2, which can consist of a metallic material and/or plastic.

In the present case, the housing 2 has a trapezoidal cross section which is essentially constant over the length of the housing 2 . The housing 2 designed in this way thus narrows continuously from its floor, which runs in one plane, to its ceiling, which runs in a plane parallel to the plane of the floor.

The size of the housing 2 is such that the entertainment device 1 forms a portable unit. Handles (not shown) can be provided on the outside of the housing 2 so that the housing 2 can be transported more easily.

A display 3, ie generally a screen, is integrated in each of the side walls running inclined to the floor. The displays 3 of identical design are arranged opposite one another in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to the plane of symmetry of the housing 2 . The inclined displays 3 can be viewed particularly well by users.

Brackets (not shown) can be provided on the side walls in order to fix input means for the displays 3, in particular operating consoles, there.

The mechanism of a money input unit 4 is integrated on a front side of the housing 2, which in the present case is designed in the form of a coin checking unit. This includes an entry slot 5, via which coins are entered into the coin validator. Furthermore, an ejection slot 6 is provided, through which invalid coins or change can be dispensed.

Below the mechanism of the coin testing unit is a collection container 8 that can be locked with a key 7 . The coins entered via the money input unit 4 are collected in the collection container 8 . An authorized person can open the collection container 8 with the key 7 and remove the money collected there.

The cash input unit 4 according to 1 can be expanded to the effect that a bill checking unit is also provided, so that a user can also enter bills. Furthermore, the cash input unit 4 can also have only one bill checking unit. Finally, the cash input unit 4 can be a reader designed to read credit cards or an interface that enables digital payment.

On the opposite end face of the housing 2, fans can be arranged, which are used to ventilate and cool the interior of the housing 2.

4 shows a block diagram with the electronic components of the entertainment device 1 according to FIG 1 until 3 , which form control means for controlling the operation of the entertainment device 1.

The control means include switching means 9, which can be in the form of an HDMI switch, for example.

These switching means 9 control the displays 3 . To this end, the displays 3 are connected to an output 10 of the switching means 9 . Furthermore, the switching means 9 have a number of inputs 11a, 11b, 11c.

A game console 12 is connected to a first input 11a of the switching means 9 . Different game consoles 12 can advantageously be connected to the switching means 9 . A computer unit 13, which can be formed by a processor, microprocessor or the like, is connected to a second input 11b.

Finally, the cash input unit 4, ie its electronics, is connected to the switching means 9 via a timer 14. For this purpose, the timer 14 is connected to a further input 11c of the switching means 9.

The mode of operation of the entertainment device 1 is explained below with reference to the block diagram 4 explained.

If no money credit is registered in the control means, ie no money was entered into the money input unit 4 , the switching means 9 generate a switching signal such that the displays 3 are controlled depending on the computer unit 13 .

Information, in particular advertising information, is stored in the computer unit 13 . Such information can be entered into the computer unit 13 via a suitable interface.

By connecting the displays 3 to the computer unit 13 via the switching means 9, the information, in particular advertising information, is then displayed on the displays 3, optionally in a predetermined time-dependent change.

If a user then enters an amount of money via the money input unit 4 , the switching means 9 are switched via the timer 14 . The switching means 9 then change their switching state, specifically for a time specified by the timer 14, which depends on the amount of money entered into the money input unit 4. The greater the amount of money entered, the longer this time.

For the time specified by the timer 14, the switching means 9 generate switching signals in such a way that the displays 3 are now controlled by the game console 12. This means that a game stored in the game console 12 is activated and the displays 3 are controlled accordingly, so that two users can now play this game interactively with or against each other on the displays 3 without further activities.

The playing time that is unlocked for the users is the time specified by the timer 14 . Shortly before the end of the game time, this can be shown to the users on the displays 3, so that they can extend the game time by entering more money.

After the end of the playing time, a switching process automatically takes place in the switching means 9 in such a way that the displays 3 are now controlled again by the computer unit 13 and information, ie advertising information, is displayed again.

5 shows another embodiment of the entertainment device 1. This entertainment device advises 1 is compared to the embodiment of 1 until 3 extended to the effect that four displays 3 are provided, which in turn are assigned input means.

In this case, the housing 2 has the shape of a truncated cone which is symmetrical with respect to rotations through 90°. The housing 2 thus has four identical side walls running inclined to the floor, with a display 3 being mounted in each side wall.

Two opposing displays 3 each form a pair, which is controlled by control means as in 4 shown is driven. The circuit arrangement of 4 is therefore essentially present in duplicate in the present case, one and the same computer unit 13 advantageously being used for both circuit arrangements. A game console 12 is present in each circuit arrangement, it being possible for the game consoles 12 to be different.

Advantageously, a switch or the like can be provided in the area of the money input unit 4 in order to specify for which pair of displays 3 the money input on the money input unit 4 is to be used.

The functionality of the entertainment device 1 according to 5 is according to the operation of the entertainment device 1 according to the 1 until 3 .

If money is entered into the money input unit 4 for a pair of displays 3, the game console 12 is activated for this pair of displays 3 for a playing time determined by the amount of money, so that two users can play the game console 12 on the displays 3 of this pair.

If no money has been entered or if the playing time has expired, the computer unit 13 is switched on via the respective switching means 9 and information, in particular advertising information, is displayed on the displays 3 .

Reference List

1

entertainment device

2

Housing

3

screen

4

money entry unit

5

input slot

6

ejection slot

7

Key

8th

collection container

9

switching means

10

Exit

11a - c

Entrance

12

game console

13

computing unit

14

timer

Claims (9)

Entertainment device (1) with a housing (2) accommodating its components, with at least one display (3) or at least one pair of displays (3) and input means associated therewith and with a money input unit (4), characterized in that at least one game console ( 12) and control means are present, the game console (12) being activated by means of the control means when an amount of money entered via the money input unit (4) is registered and the displays (3) for the use of the game console (12) being activated, that the control means switching means ( 9) which generate binary switching signals, depending on the switching signals either the game console (12) is activated or the displays (3) are activated to display information, and that the switching means (9) are controlled by the money input unit (4). , wherein the money input unit (4) is connected to the switching means (9) via a timer (14). entertainment device (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the information is advertising information. Entertainment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the switching means (9) have two inputs (11a, 11b), the game console (12) being connected to a first input (11a) and a computer unit (13) being connected to the second input (11b). which controls the display of the information, and that the switching means (9) have an output (10) which is designed to control the displays (3). Entertainment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the money input unit (4) is a coin checking unit and/or a bill checking unit, or that the money input unit (4) is a reading device which is designed to read credit cards. Entertainment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that via the in the cash input unit (4) is inserted Given amount of money, the playing time for the game console (12) can be specified. Entertainment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that this is a portable device which in particular has handles. Entertainment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that holders for the input means are provided on the outside of the housing (2), the input means being in particular operating consoles. Entertainment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that at least two pairs of displays (3) are provided, each pair being assigned a game console (12) and a money input unit (4). entertainment device (1) after claim 8 , characterized in that separate switching means (9) are assigned to each pair of displays (3), and in particular the switching means (9) are controlled by the respectively assigned money input unit (4).

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