GB2467331A

GB2467331A - Crane grabber machine with video display and camera

Info

Publication number: GB2467331A
Application number: GB0901463A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Day
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-29
Filing date: 2009-01-29
Publication date: 2010-08-04
Also published as: GB0901463D0; GB2467393A; GB0912997D0

Abstract

A crane grabber machine with a video display 5 and speakers 6 and a camera 4 integrated into the machine with a control system (7, 9, 10, Fig 2) to allow the customer to have a bird's eye view of the prizes 3 through the video monitor 5 when the game is in use. When a game is not being played the video display 5 is preferably controlled by a computer (9, Fig 2) allowing suppliers to advertise products which may or may not be within the machine. Preferably, a network interface (12, Fig 2) allows for off-site machine management to download images and financial reconciliation. Also provided is a credit input mechanism 1 and player controls 2.

Description

CRANE/GRABBER AMUSEMENT MACHINE WITH VIDEO DISPLAY, CAMERA & COMPUTER

BACKGROUND

The amusement crane/grabber has long been a major attraction in amusement arcades, pubs, play areas, shopping centres and many other locations which provide the public with an opportunity to enjoy themselves. These machines are operated by the owner of the establishment or by a third party who attends on a regular basis to empty the machine and share income with the owner. The aim of the game is for a person to insert money to activate the machine and then use the claw of the crane to pick up a prize', and these prizes generally are toys, ball capsules (which may contain a range of products), money or sweets. The variety of products which can be used in these machines are only limited by the ability of the claw to pickup the item. The cranes also have the option to be a prize every time (so the customer keeps going until he or she picks something up) or a prize based upon a single go where it requires the perceived skill of the player to pick the item up first time or they win nothing. The attraction of any machine is based upon the prizes on offer, the guarantee of a prize and the ability of the customer to pick up the particular prize they are aiming for.

The first problem (for the customer) is that they can only view the prize from the side (although they would normally be able to see it from the front of the machine or either side) and as they cannot view it from above they cannot be sure when positioning the claw it is in the ideal location. If it is possible to have that option then the customer will believe they have a greater chance of collecting the prize they desire.

The second problem is that cranes have a limited number of prizes they can offer as it dependant upon the customer being able to see what is being collected. A machine could hold a voucher inside a capsule to win a service' of some sort (an example being a discount voucher for a birthday party) but the ability to market it in the machine would be limited as any promotional signs (the more services on offer the greater the problem) would restrict the view of the customer to play the game.

The final problem is that where the crane is owned by a third party who is not based at the site, they have to visit regularly to ensure the machine is stocked and to count the money and share it with the operator.

STATEMENT OF THE TN VENTI ON

A crane/grabber with a video display and speakers (located on top or inside the crane) and a caniera integrated into the machine with a control system to allow the customer to have a bird's eye view of the prizes through the video monitor when the game is in use. When a game is not being played the video display allows suppliers to advertise the prizes on offer in the machine. The video display and the financial management of the machine are operated via an internet link.

INTRODUCTIONS TO DRAWINGS

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure one shows an isometric view of the crane and video screen.

Figure two shows the block diagram of a control system for operating the crane, camera and video screen.

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 falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig 1 shows a crane amusement machine operable to pick up a prize. In operation the crane receives a payment, (usually in the form of a coin but could be by token or credit/debit card) to purchase a play' of the game (1). The controls of the machine (2) would normally consist of a numbered display to show how many credits there are and either buttons or ajoystick to position the crane.

The prizes are located in the main display area of the crane (3) and could be any prize which the crane has the ability to pick up.

The crane is located above the prizes with a camera (4) attached to the arm so as to provide a birds eye view of the crane in operation. The crane arm can therefore be positioned much more accurately above the prize the player is aiming to pickup.

Above the main body of the crane is located a monitor (5), which supplies information screens to customers when the game is not being played and the view from above once a game has been started. The machine provides audio as well as video facilities through the speakers (6) Fig 2 is a block diagram of the control system to operate the machine. Apayment to the money/ credit detector (1) signals to the game CPU (7) that a player has inserted a credit or number of credits. The CPU (7) displays the number of credits on a LCD mounted on the games display (2) and energises the controijoystick/buttons (6). The CPU (7) sends a signal to the computer (9) for a script to be run that switches the input on the video control (10) to the video screen (5) to display the output from camera (4).

When the game has finished, either through the triggering of the prize sensor (8) in a Prize Every Time Game' or the exhaustion of the credits in case of a skill setup, the CPU (7) sends a signal to the computer (9) for a script to be run that switches the input on the video control (10) to the video display(S) to output from the computer (9).

The output to the video display (4) derives from a script running on the computer (9) which can be downloaded remotely via network interface (13). The trigger from the CPU (7) to the computer (9) also causes a script to run to record the amount of inserted credits. The trigger from CPU (7) to the computer (9) signalling a prize has been detected buy the prize sensor (8) causes a script to run on computer (9) to record the number of prizes won.

The network interface (12) allows information to be downloaded remotely for display on the video display (5).

Claims

CLAIMS DOCUMENTADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION1. It will allow customers to improve their chances of'picking up' the prize they want.

2. It will increase the variety of prizes that the machines can offer.

3. It will allow the operator to increase the income from the machine from generating revenue from advertising on the video screen.

4The video screen can attract more customers through moving images and broadcast messages.

5. The ability to manage the operation of the crane via the computer and internet link.