RU101558U1 - ADVERTISING AND ENTERTAINMENT STAFF TO TRADE EQUIPMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

 1. Advertising and entertainment set-top box for commercial equipment, comprising at least one display unit, a system unit, the output of which is connected to an input of the display unit, at least one individual player console connected to the corresponding input of the system unit, characterized in that it is equipped with an electronic interface unit connected to the trading equipment by means of electromechanical, mechanical, optical or electronic communication, which processes the signal coming from the trading equipment and There are processes for switching on casual games and switching them to broadcasting commercials, and, conversely, an indicator that displays information coming from the electronic interface unit, a payment acceptance mechanism, and each of the outputs of the electronic interface unit is connected to the corresponding inputs of the system unit, individual console the player and the indicator, and the output of the payment acceptance mechanism is connected to the corresponding input of the electronic interface unit. ! 2. Advertising and entertainment console according to claim 1, characterized in that the display unit is made in the form of a monitor. ! 3. Advertising and entertainment console according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual player console is made in the form of a joystick. ! 4. Advertising and entertainment console according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual player console is made in the form of a keyboard. ! 5. Advertising and entertainment console according to claim 1, characterized in that the payment acceptance mechanism is made in the form of a bill acceptor or coin acceptor.

Description

The utility model relates to the field of trade and can be used as a prefix to trading equipment, for example, vending machines (coffee, snack and other vending machines), commercial refrigerators, payment terminals, scanners for reading the barcode of goods, cash registers etc. for broadcasting commercials and entertaining customers with casual games.

In recent years, the market has seen a steady trend of widespread penetration of casual games on alternative platforms such as mobile phones, game consoles, and cable TV consoles.

Casual games are short-lived, but at the same time fascinating computer games without a cash prize, the distinguishing feature of which is an attractively bright graphic design, user-friendly interface and intuitive rules that do not require special skills from a user and good computer skills.

For the method of delivering game content, various types of electronic equipment or devices may be used. The latter aspect is especially relevant for domestic realities. It is no secret that today far from everyone has access to a computer and the Internet. And therefore, not everyone is familiar with casual games, as a new form of entertainment content. Based on the foregoing, by adapting an advertising and game console for use in retail trade, it will be possible to reach an audience of potential consumers who are not familiar with the specified type of entertainment content, and offer them attractive games at an attractive price that perfectly help to relax and carry out with interest your free time.

The proposed entertainment device is planned to be installed in shopping pavilions at public transport stops, in cinemas, in shopping centers, in medical institutions and other crowded places where there are vending machines and payment terminals. The novelty of the idea lies in the marketing decision to combine the sale of retail goods and the sale of services with incentive entertainment in order to stimulate sales and inform buyers about new types of goods and services. An advertising and entertainment console connected by an electronic interface unit to peripheral devices used in commercial equipment, after paying for a product or service as an incentive, includes a free casual game. In the absence of payments in the payment system of vending machines, the prefix broadcasts commercials to inform people passing by about new types of goods and services.

Known vending machine (patent RU 66091 U1 G07F 11/00, publ. 08.27.2007) containing a trading compartment with a control unit, a mechanism for receiving payment means and issuing goods. An entertainment compartment with a control unit connected to a control unit of the trading compartment, which is adopted as an analogue, was introduced into the machine. The entertainment compartment control unit is connected to the trading compartment control unit by means of electromechanical, mechanical, optical and electronic communications. It works like this: when a coin or banknote enters the payment medium, the entertainment compartment is switched on for the time set by the control unit. The entertainment compartment has a transparent window. Through it, the buyer observes a puppet pageant, or acting electromechanical toys, or cartoons and video clips on a monitor screen. This process is accompanied by lighting and sound effects. At the same time, goods are automatically fed into the output tray. The entertainment compartment turns off and the machine goes into standby mode for the next customer.

The disadvantages of this vending machine are as follows:

- since the vending machine has a rather complicated structure and is expensive equipment, and the introduction of an additional device (entertainment compartment) that performs the function of another purpose into its design, further increases the cost of the product;

- since the design of the entertainment compartment is built into vending machines of a certain type (intended for the sale of packaged or bottled goods), it cannot work in conjunction with vending equipment (vending machines, payment terminals, commercial refrigerators, cash registers, etc.) and does not can work autonomously;

- the buyer cannot take an independent part in the entertainment process, which reduces his interest in acquiring goods.

The closest technical solution, selected as a prototype, is a gaming device (patent RU 22753 U1 A63F 13/00, G07F 17/00, publ. 04/27/2002) containing a display unit, a processor whose output is connected to the input of the display unit, unit identification of the player, a memory unit whose output is connected to the input of the processor. Moreover, it is equipped with individual player consoles connected through their player identification blocks to the corresponding inputs of the processor, a leading game console, the output of which is connected to the corresponding input of the processor, and the display unit is made in the form of a screen for collective viewing, divided into several game zones, and equipped with an information zone. The screen for collective viewing can be made in the form of several identical screens, spaced in space and parallel to the output of the processor. Each individual player console is equipped with buttons, the numbers of which correspond to the numbers of the game zones of the screen for collective viewing.

However, the known gaming device has the following disadvantages:

- the device is independent, because it is used in institutions such as a casino and is intended only for games, its design is not suitable for connection to commercial equipment;

- the complexity of the gameplay, as it requires a leading game and the mandatory presence of several players.

The technical task of the proposed utility model is to create a device that can be connected to commercial equipment for playing the game and broadcasting commercials to ensure that consumers are interested in purchasing goods and paying for services in order to stimulate sales.

The technical result is an increase in consumer interest, the promotion of goods and services on the market and an increase in sales.

To solve the problem and achieve a technical result, an advertising and entertainment set-top box for retail equipment containing at least one display unit, a system unit, the output of which is connected to the input of the display unit, at least one individual player console connected to the corresponding input system unit, according to a utility model, the prefix is equipped with an electronic interface unit connected to the trading equipment by means of electromechanical, mechanical, optical or electronic a communications system that processes the signal coming from the trading equipment and carries out the processes of switching on casual games and switching them to broadcasting commercials, and, conversely, an indicator that displays information coming from the electronic interface, the payment acceptance mechanism, and each of the electronic outputs the interface unit is connected to the corresponding inputs of the system unit, the individual player’s console and indicator, and the output of the payment mechanism is connected to the corresponding electronic interfacing unit ode.

The display unit is made in the form of a monitor. Individual player console can be made in the form of a joystick or keyboard. The mechanism for receiving payment means can be made in the form of a bill acceptor or a coin acceptor.

The accompanying illustrations explain the essence of the utility model.

Figure 1 presents a functional diagram of an advertising and entertainment set-top box connected to commercial equipment; figure 2 is a functional diagram of an electronic unit for interfacing an advertising and entertainment console. Appendix 1 presents an advertising and entertainment console connected to a coffee machine; in Appendix 2 - an advertising and entertainment console connected to a payment terminal.

Advertising and entertainment set-top box for commercial equipment (Fig. 1) contains at least one display unit 1, a system unit 2, the output of which is connected to the input of the display unit 1, at least one individual player 3 console, the output of which is connected to the corresponding input of the system unit 2, the electronic interface unit 4 connected to the trading equipment 7 by means of electromechanical, mechanical, optical or electronic communication, the payment acceptance mechanism 5 and indicator 6. Each of the electronic outputs the interface unit 4 is connected to the corresponding inputs of the system unit 2, the individual console of the player 3 and the indicator 6, and the output of the payment mechanism 5 is connected to the corresponding input of the electronic interface unit 4.

The output of the trading equipment 7 is connected to the corresponding input of the electronic interface unit 4.

Individual remote controls of player 3 can be made in the form of joysticks (applications 1-2) or keyboard and are used to control the game.

The display unit 1 is made in the form of a monitor, which serves to visualize the gameplay, broadcast commercials and other images. In this case, the console can use a touch monitor. In the case of using a touch monitor, the game is controlled by pressing the monitor screen, and individual player consoles (joysticks or keyboard) are excluded from the console.

The system unit (processor) 2 contains Windows software and other programs. His memory contains the nth number of games, commercials, and other informational clips and images intended to be fed to monitor 1. The main purpose of system unit 2 is to process, organize the signals coming from the electronic interface unit 4 and manage them. The system unit is connected to the parallel port of the IBM PS.

The mechanism for receiving payment funds 5 can be made in the form of a bill acceptor or coin acceptor and serves to process and convert information from incoming money to electronic signals. The mechanism for receiving payment means 5 allows you to use the console in offline mode.

The electronic interface unit 4 (figure 2) is used to process the signal from the payment mechanism 5 and from the trading equipment 7 to enable casual games and switch them to broadcast commercials, and vice versa, as well as to enable or disable game joysticks . The electronic interface unit is connected to the parallel port of the IBM PS. The port is used in standard mode, that is, eight output lines operate on the output. There are also advanced modes that use the port as bidirectional. The electronic interface unit 4 uses eight output and four input lines of the port to connect and create an 8 × 4 matrix for the possibility of polling 32 inputs from the buttons of individual player 3 remote controls or other devices. The electronic interface unit 4 includes its own programmable processor 8, information display means 9, content switching means (relay block) 10, means for recognizing signals 11 received from the payment mechanism 5 and trading equipment 7, pulse accounting means 12. Information display means 9 is intended for processing signals from the processor and transmitting them to the indicator 6. The content switching means (relay block) 10 is intended for converting signals from the processor 8 into the switching circuit to control various elements of the system unit 2. The pulse meter 12 is an electronic counter that takes into account information about the number of operations performed from the processor. The electronic interface unit provides the connection of the console to the trading equipment of various manufacturers.

Indicator 6 (Fig. 1, applications 1-2) is intended to display information coming from the electronic interface unit 4 in the form of information labels, for example: “BEFORE THE GAME IS REMAINED 30 MINUTES”, “PAY FOR THE GAME”, “THE AMOUNT OF 50 RUBLES” .

Advertising and entertainment console has the ability to access the Internet for playing games with other players who are remotely accessible, and does not require the presence of a second player. As a database server, a free open-source database server Firebird version 2 is used. It has established itself as a reliable and efficient database server. In addition, this server is distributed absolutely free of charge, which reduces the cost of software.

The prefix database accumulates and stores the following information:

a) barcodes of goods for which you can get free playing time;

b) game sessions, for each of which the following data is collected:

- the basis for the start of playing time (barcode, signal from a vending machine or payment terminal, payment of time);

- casual games that the user chose to play;

- the total duration of the game session (continuous play) to evaluate games in high demand;

- the amount of time to extend the game session and the amount paid for the extension of the game session;

- table of records of casual games;

c) reference information;

d) commercials with the time of their display;

d) settings of the advertising and entertainment set-top box.

The software for managing the console consists of the following modules:

- Module for working with the database. This module works with a database server and provides the ability to collect, process and store information.

- The module of work with bill acceptor. This module is designed to communicate software with a bill acceptor. He is also responsible for the reaction of the software to the payment by the buyer-user.

- The module works with an individual player console (joystick, keyboard). It serves to transfer commands from the gaming equipment to the casual games management module.

- Module for managing advertising content. This module controls the output of advertising information to the monitor.

- Demo mode module. The module is activated during the downtime of the game process and is responsible for displaying demos of available casual games with customer-user record tables on the monitor.

- A module for managing casual games. The module is responsible for launching and managing casual games (pausing, starting when paying extra time).

- Module for outputting reference information. The module provides the buyer-user with the opportunity to receive reference information.

The principle of operation of an advertising and entertainment set-top box is described by the example of connecting it to a coffee vending machine (Appendix 1).

The buyer contributes the indicated amount for the goods to the bill acceptor (coin acceptor) of the coffee machine 7 and presses the product selection button. After the buyer receives the goods, from the mechanism for dispensing cups of the coffee machine 7, the signal enters the signal recognition means 11 of the electronic interface unit 4, which recognizes this signal as one of the options for paying for playing time. The processed signal enters the processor 8 of the electronic interface unit 4, which transmits this signal to the relay unit 10 of the electronic interface unit 4, the information display means 9 and the pulse metering device 12 (electronic counter). The relay unit 10 converts this signal to switching, thereby switching the broadcast commercial to the program of entertaining casual games, and transmits the switching signal to the system unit 2, which includes a free casual game, displaying it on the monitor 1. Indicator 6, having received the processed signal, received from the means of displaying information 9, displays this signal in the form of an informational inscription, for example: “30 MINUTES REMAINED BEFORE THE GAME”. There is a free game process, which the buyer controls through the joystick 3. The time of the free game process is limited. At the end of the free playing time, the game pauses. Indicator 6 displays a message that invites the buyer to continue the game for a paid time in the form of an informational inscription: “PAY FOR THE GAME”. Having a desire to continue the game, the buyer contributes a certain amount of money to the bill acceptor of 5 consoles. The signal about the receipt of payment is processed by the elements of the electronic interface unit 4, enters the system unit 2 and the indicator 6. System unit 2 includes a continuation of the game on the monitor 1. Indicator 6 displays a message, for example: “50 MINUTES REMAINED UNTIL THE END OF THE GAME”. At the end of the game process and the absence of a certain period of time, the funds are received in the bill acceptor 5 to continue the game or start a new game, the electronic interface unit 4 switches the game process to any other process, transferring this information to the system unit 2, which displays it on the monitor 1 , for example, in the form of: broadcasting commercials, a table of records of casual games, reference information, etc.

If there are two joysticks 3 in the advertising and entertainment console, the buyer-user has the opportunity to choose a casual game designed for two users. If there is a desire to play a game with several players who are on remote access, the buyer-user goes to the Internet, the option of accessing which is available in the console, and from the proposed list of games selects a game designed for several players.

The proposed advertising and entertainment set-top box is industrially applicable, since it has the ability to connect various technical indicators and any manufacturers to the commercial equipment. In addition, it can operate autonomously, which allows it to be used not only in conjunction with commercial equipment, but also as an independent device - without connecting to commercial equipment. Cognitive advertising information and interesting intuitive games broadcast by the console make consumers interested in purchasing goods and paying for services, thereby promoting the promotion of goods and services on the market and increasing sales.

Claims (5)

1. Advertising and entertainment set-top box for commercial equipment, comprising at least one display unit, a system unit, the output of which is connected to an input of the display unit, at least one individual player console connected to the corresponding input of the system unit, characterized in that it is equipped with an electronic interface unit connected to the trading equipment by means of electromechanical, mechanical, optical or electronic communication, which processes the signal coming from the trading equipment and There are processes for switching on casual games and switching them to broadcasting commercials, and, conversely, an indicator that displays information coming from the electronic interface unit, a payment acceptance mechanism, and each of the outputs of the electronic interface unit is connected to the corresponding inputs of the system unit, individual console the player and the indicator, and the output of the payment acceptance mechanism is connected to the corresponding input of the electronic interface unit. 2. Advertising and entertainment console according to claim 1, characterized in that the display unit is made in the form of a monitor. 3. Advertising and entertainment console according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual player console is made in the form of a joystick. 4. Advertising and entertainment console according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual player console is made in the form of a keyboard. 5. Advertising and entertainment console according to claim 1, characterized in that the payment acceptance mechanism is made in the form of a bill acceptor or coin acceptor.