GB2257284A

GB2257284A - Credit operated units

Info

Publication number: GB2257284A
Application number: GB9113680A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerard Linfoot; Bernard Paul Hart
Original assignee: YOUR ELECTRONICS SPECIALISTS L; Your Electronics Specialists Ltd
Current assignee: YOUR ELECTRONICS SPECIALISTS L; Your Electronics Specialists Ltd
Priority date: 1991-06-25
Filing date: 1991-06-25
Publication date: 1993-01-06
Also published as: GB9113680D0

Abstract

A credit operated system for use particularly in juke-boxes or 'skill with prize' units comprises an input means such as a digitizer which can be used to input information into either a juke-box or a 'skill with prize' unit so as to update the information capacity of the juke-box or the unit. Information input via the digitizer is stored on an appropriate storage device which controls a display 6 depending also on the credit status of the juke-box or the unit. The unit may have multiple screens on which a comparison game may be played. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements Relating to Credit Operated Units The invention relates to a credit operated system for use particularly, but not exclusively in coin operated record or compact disc player units or coin operated Skill With Prize (SWP) units.

Credit operated units, that is those units operated by coins, notes, credit cards or the like, are typically found in various leisure or business environments and provide a variety of forms of entertainment services or business services respectively.

Units which are concerned with the reproduction of music are conventionally provided with a coin handling system coupled to a control unit such that when an individual places a coin into the system the control unit enables the user to access information so as to choose a piece of information for playing by the unit. Information concerning the number and variety of records or compact discs (CD's) which are available for selection can be stored in a number of ways but recently storage has involved the provision of a data cartridge which has been pre-programmed to hold information relating to a number of the said records or CD's. It therefore follows that when alterations need to be made to the number and variety of records or CD's in the unit the data cartridge has to be altered accordingly.Since the majority of these units are provided under license, the current system operates so that the provider of the unit supplies a new data cartridge when the contents of the unit are to be modified. One reason for this arrangement is that the pre-programming of a data cartridge is a skilled activity requiring technology which may not be at the Licensee's disposal. A further reason for favouring this arrangement concerns quality control since data cartridges can be checked for error by the supplier prior to insertion into the corresponding unit. However, the drawback of this system is that the re-programming is both time consuming and expensive.

Furthermore, the licensee has to negotiate with the licensor a suitable form of data cartridge for insertion into his system according to the taste of his customers.

There is therefore a need to provide a more convenient and efficient means of re-programming credit operated units.

Moreover, the invention also concerns credit operated units conventionally called Skill With Prize units whereby a user plays a particular game of skill with the intent of winning a certain prize. Such games typically involve graphic displays and although, initially, extremely entertaining they quickly loose their entertainment value as a user learns to anticipate or remember certain features of the game. It therefore follows that the profitability of such units, in unaltered form, declines with time.

It can therefore be seen that there is a need to be able to quickly, efficiently and reliably re-programme SWP units.

In this instance it will be understood that the accuracy of re-programming will be essential to the integrity of the game.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a simple, efficient and relaible means of re-programming a Skill With Prize unit and following the re-programme of same it will be evident that a variety of flexible games can then be offered by such a unit over a predetermined amount of time.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is therefore provided in a credit operated unit an operating system for the presentation of visual information comprising; (1) an input device for inputting visual information into the system; (2) a storage device for receiving and storing said information; (3) a display device for displaying said information; (4) a control device for controlling the display of said information on said display device, according to the credit status of the system.

It will therefore be understood that the provision of a unit in accordance with the invention which includes an input device enables owners or licensees of the unit to input information into the device on site.

Preferably said input device comprises a scanner which is preferably an automatic digitizer adapted to read and digitize pre-selected information for storage in the unit.

Preferably the input device is an optical scanner such as for example a light pen, bar code reader, or fibre optics link.

In a further embodiment of the invention preferably the input device includes a cable or a modem or a satellite link or a telephone line or an audio sensor or an ultrasonic sensor or an infrared sensor.

Preferably the storage system is remote of the unit.

Preferably the storage system includes magnetic storage means such as for example a hard disc or a floppy disc or a tape unit.

Preferably the storage means includes optical storage means such as a read and write optical device.

In a further embodiment of the invention the storage means comprises a solid state storage means such as for example a battery backed SRAM, or EEPROM or NVRAM.

Preferably the visual display unit includes a conventional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) or a conventional Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or a conventional LED.

In further embodiments of the invention the visual display unit includes for example a plasma display means, or projection system, or fluorescent display, or a holographic display or a fibre optic display.

Preferably the control unit is linked to the input device for the purpose of collating information during the process of storage of same.

Preferably the control unit is linked to the storage unit and visual display unit for the purpose of extracting information from the storage unit for display on the visual display unit.

Preferably the unit comprises a conventional coin handling device for the direction and validation of various forms of coinage.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided in a credit operated unit a visual display system whereby a music album cover is displayed simultaneously on a screen with information relating to tracks on a corresponding album for the purpose of enabling selection of at least one of said tracks so that the said track is played by the unit according to the credit status of the unit.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided in a credit operated unit a visual display system comprising:1. A means for storing a plurality of pre-selected forms of information wherein at least one form of said information differs from at least one other form of said information for the purpose of playing a game of comparison; 2. A means for displaying simultaneously at least two forms of said information to enable visual analysis of said information for the purpose of playing the game; 3. A means for selectively controlling when said information is displayed according to the credit status of the system.

It will therefore be appreciated that a unit in accordance with the invention provides for the display of two forms of information preferably bearing a simple relationship to each other so that the information can be analysed for the purpose of for example comparison so as to play for example a spot the difference game.

Preferably the means of storing said information comprises a solid state storage media such as for example an EEPROM chip.

However, in the instance where the storage means is a solid state storage media it will be understood that alteration of the unit for the purpose of varying the form of the game played thereon will involve removal and reinsertion of either a modified version of the same EEPROM chip or a different EEPROM chip.

Preferably, the unit comprises a means of inputting said data.

Preferably the storage means comprises a magnetic storage means such as a hard disc, or floppy disc or tape unit.

It will be understood that where an input means and a magnetic storage means are provided it will be possible for information to be inserted into the unit on site.

Preferably the input means will be a scanner and more preferably a scanner in the form of an automatic digitizer so that the owner or licensee of the unit can alter the information stored therein on site by simply scanning a preselected item.

It will therefore be understood that in games of comparison the owner of the unit can simply pre-select at least two items for comparison and load information concerning the two items into the unit via use of the scanner so as to selectively alter the nature of the game. This will serve to prolong the length of time for which the game will be amusing to users and overcome any disadvantages concerning the learning of games.

The units in accordance with the invention therefore provide for: the quick and efficient change of information stored on the data storage device; substantial ease of use by the owner or licensee of the unit; elimination of the necessity to provide paper forms of display; flexibility in the choice of input material; a novelty element in the form of graphic attraction; remote inputting , and remote storage.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein Fig. 1 shows a credit operated musical reproduction system in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 shows a credit operated Skill With Prizes unit in accordance with the invention; Fig. 3 shows a diagrammatic representation of the interreaction of units within a coin operated musical reproduction system in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 4 shows a diagrammatic representation of the interaction of units in a coin operated Skill With Prizes unit in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the figures, and firstly to Fig. 1, a coin operated unit is indicated by reference 1, the unit comprises an outer casing 2 which may be of any pre-selected size or shape. The outer unit 2 is provided on its front face 3 with a coin slot 4. Slot 4 is coupled to a coin handling device which detects and validates the nature of coins inserted into slot 4.

Face 3 is further provided with user controls 5. Controls 5 may take any ergonomically acceptable form and in the instance shown in Fig. 1 controls 5 comprise a plurality of push button indicators. Each indicator is marked with a symbol for the purpose of enabling control of the unit by a user.

Face 3 is further provided with a monitor 6. Monitor 6 is linked to an internal storage device (not shown) in a fashion which enables monitor 6 to display any or all of the information stored on the storage device.

The unit also includes a scanner 12 which may be integral with the system or detachable from same. In the instance where the scanner is detachable it is a hand operated device of an optical nature which scans a pre-selected item and subsequently transfers digitised information relating to the item into the unit 1 for storage on the storage device 14.

In the instance where the scanner is integral with the unit 1, the unit 1 is provided with a pocket into which the item to be scanned can be placed and the scanner automatically scans the item and transfers digitised information relating to same to the storage device 14. Information stored on the storage device 14, that is a hard disc drive, can easily and quickly be modified by simply re-writing over portions of the hard disc and/or deleting portions of the hard disc.

In use the storage device is loaded with information corresponding to a number and variety of album covers by way of the scanner scanning said album covers and storing said information relating to the covers on the hard disc.

A user wishing to use the unit simply inserts a coin into slot 4. This activates a control device 10 inside unit 1 which in turn enables information from the storage device 14 to be displayed on the monitor 6 A visual representation of an album cover along with a list of corresponding album tracks is simultaneously displayed on the monitor. By way of controls 5 the user can alter the information displayed on the monitor 6 and so look through the data stored on the hard disc. The user can therefore flick through all the album covers stored on the disc. When the user has chosen an album for playing and a track from the album he indicates his choice by way of controls 5.

The functioning of unit 1 is further represented in Fig. 3 where it can be seen that the control device or internal system controller 10 co-ordinates the functioning of the system. Input device 12 sends information via the system controller 10 to the storage system 14. When a coin is placed in the coin handling system 22, the system controller 10 enables information in the storage system 14 to be transferred to the visual display 6. A user then uses user controls 5 to select an item displayed on the display 6 and this selection is acknowledged by the system controller 10 which activates the CD unit 18 to play the correctly selected piece of music.

Referring now to Fig. 2, Fig. 2 shows a Skill With Prizes unit in accordance with the invention and it comprises an upstanding unit 30 including an outer casing 32.

Unit 30 includes a lower part 34 and an upper part 36. Part 36 is provided with a coin slot 38, a plurality of monitors 40 and a user control device 42 in the form of a joy stick.

Part 34 includes a dispensing chamber 36 for the purpose of dispensing prizes.

This SWP unit is provided in one of two forms, the first embodiment including an internal control unit 50, and an internal storage unit 52 which is an EEPROM chip. The EEPROM chip stores information relating to a game to be displayed on monitors 40, the information being of a nature to enable the playing of a game of comparison. Thus, information on the chip can be transferred to the monitor so that each monitor shows a slightly different version of an item displayed on each monitor or alternatively at least one of the monitors shows a slightly different version of the item displayed on all of the other monitors and the player of the game participates by identifying the differences between the items displayed on monitors 40. Decisions concerning differences are entered into the system via control 42.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention unit 30 is provided with an input device 60 in the form of a scanner.

The input device may be detachable from the unit or integral with same. As stated above, where the input device is detachable it is a hand held device adapted to scan items for the purpose of storing information relating to such items into the unit. In the instance where the input device is integral with the system there is provided a pocket in which an item can be inserted for the purpose of automatically scanning same by the input device so as to send digitised information concerning the device to the storage unit.

Fig. 4 shows a diagrammatic representation of the functioning of unit 30 and it indicates that, in use, a user first inserts a coin into coin slot 38. This action is identified and validated by the coin handling equipment 56 which activates the control unit 50. Control unit 50 then enables information on the storage unit 52 to be displayed on the monitors 40 for the purpose of playing the game. A user sends information concerning decisions in connection with the game to control unit 50 via control 42.

The nature of the game can be modified by altering the information displayed on the monitors 40. This is done by inputting information concerning different items into the unit via the input device 60.

It can therefore be seen that the game to be played, although not differing in principle, can be modified in terms of the items to be compared, analysed or scrutinised for the purpose of the game. Thus the unit can be modified as frequently as necessary to ensure that a new game is frequently presented to users.

Each correct response by a user will result in the user being awarded for example points, these points may be accumulated and when a certain level of points have been attained they may be exchanged for prizes. These prizes can include cash, tokens, tickets, novelty caps or toys, sweets etc which are dispensed via dispensing chamber 36. The dispensing of prizes is controlled by control unit 50.

Although the system has been described with reference to visual images only it will be understood that where an input device is adapted to digitize, for example, information relating to audio signals, the units storing said signals will be provided with at least one speaker for the purpose of converting said signals into an audiable signal. Thus a user may also interact with a unit providing visual and/or audio signals.

Claims

1. In a credit operated unit an operating system for the presentation of visual information comprising: a) an input device for inputting visual information into the system; b) a storage device for receiving and storing said information; c) a display device for displaying said information; d) a control system for controlling the display of said information on said display device according to the credit status of the system.

2. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the input device comprises a scanner.

3. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the input device is an automatic digitizer adapted to read digitized information for storage in the unit.

4. A credit operated unit according to Claim 2 wherein, the input device is an optical scanner.

5. A credit operated unit according to Claim 4 wherein, the scanner is a light pen.

6. A credit operated unit according to Claim 4 wherein, the input device is a bar code reader.

7. A credit operated unit according to Claim 4 wherein, the input device is a fibre optics link.

8. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the input device is a cable or a modem.

9. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the input device is a satellite link.

10. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the input device is a telephone line.

11. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the input device is an audio sensor.

12. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the input device is an ultrasonic sensor.

13. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the input device is an infra-red sensor.

14. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the storage system is remote of the credit operated unit.

15. A credit operated unit according to Claim 14 wherein, the storage system includes magnetic storage means.

16. A credit operated unit according to Claim 15 wherein, the magnetic storage means is a hard disc.

17. A credit operated unit according to Claim 14 wherein, the magnetic storage means is a floppy disc.

18. A credit operated unit according to Claim 14 wherein, the magnetic storage means is a tape.

19. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 or Claim 14 wherein, the storage means include optical storage means.

20. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 or Claim 14 wherein, the storage means comprises a solid state storage means.

21. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the visual display device comprises a conventional monitor.

22. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the visual display device comprises a liquid crystal display.

23. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the visual display device comprises a conventional LED.

24. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the control unit is linked to the input device for the purpose of collating information during the process of storage of same.

25. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the control unit is linked to the storage unit and visual display unit for the purpose of extracting information from the storage unit for display on the visual display unit.

26. A credit operated unit according to Claim 1 wherein, the input comprises a conventional coin handling device for the direction and validation of various forms of coinage.

27. In a credit operated unit a visual display system whereby a music album cover is displayed simultaneously on a screen with information relating to tracks on a corresponding album for the purpose of enabling selection of at least one of said tracks so that said track is played by the unit according to the credit status of the unit.

28. In a credit operated unit a visual display system comprising: a) a means of storing a plurality of pre selected forms of information wherein at least one form of said information differs from at least one other form of said information for the purpose of playing a game of comparison; b) a means for displaying simultaneously at least two forms of said information to enable visual analysis of said information for the purpose of playing the game; c) a means for selectively controlling when said information is displayed according to the credit status of the system.

29. A credit operated unit according to Claim 28 wherein, the means for storing said information comprises a solid state storage media.

30. A credit operated unit according to Claim 28 wherein, the unit comprises a means of inputting said information.

31. A credit operated unit according to Claim 28 wherein, the storage means comprises a magnetic storage means.

32. A credit operated unit according to Claim-30 wherein, the input means is a scanner.

33. A credit operated unit according to Claim 30 wherein, the input means is an automatic digitizer.