Coin roll type coin operated redemption game where rolling coin turns into image on video screen

A coin rolled from a first end of a surface to a second end of a surface is detected by a sensing device. The sensing device causes a video screen to display a coin generated video object in response to the detection of the coin near the second end of the surface. The video screen may also display at least one target video object. The coin generated object may be displayed by the video screen in a manner so that it appears that the coin generated object moves on the video screen in a direction related to the direction of the physically rolling coin. The target video object may change from a first state to a second state on the video screen when the coin generated object is within a specified range of the target video object.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerning coin rolling, coin operated redemption games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various coin rolling games are provided in the prior art in which a coin is rolled and physically comes into contact with a physical object. For example, a coin rolling bowling game is known in which a coin is rolled and the coin hits one or more physical bowling pins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in one or more embodiments provides an apparatus comprising a surface or playfield having a first end and a second end, a video screen located near the second end of the surface, and a sensing device located near the second end of the surface. A coin can be rolled from the first end of the surface to the second end of the surface. The sensing device detects the coin near the second end of the surface, and the sensing device causes the video screen to display a coin generated video object in response to the detection of the coin near the second end of the surface.

The video screen may also display at least one target video object. The coin generated object may be displayed by the video screen in a manner so that it appears that the coin generated object moves, typically from the bottom of the video screen to the top of the video screen. The coin generated object may appear to move on the video screen in a direction, which is related to the direction in which the coin was rolling. The coin generated object may appear to move from the bottom the video screen to the top of the video screen, and in a direction with respect to a plane of the video screen which is substantially the same as the direction in which the coin was rolling with respect to a plane of the surface.

The target video object may change from a first state to a second state on the video screen when the coin generated object is near the target video object, wherein the first state and the second state differ. The change of the target video object from the first state to the second state may be comprised of a change in appearance or characteristic of the target video object such as a change in color, shape, size, location, or expression (for example if the target video object is a human cartoon character, the facial expression may change from a smile to a frown) or any other change in appearance. The change in state for the target video may be a change from a stationary state to a state of activity or movement. A plurality of other video objects may also change from a first state to a second state when the coin generated object is within a certain distance of a target video object on the video screen.

A method is also provided comprising the steps of detecting a coin after the coin has rolled over a surface; and displaying on a video screen a coin generated video object upon detecting the coin.

The present invention in one or more embodiments combines rolling a coin with a response on a video screen such as the video screen of a computer monitor. The rolling coin may effectively turn into a coin generated video object, such as a moving animal, to be displayed on the video screen. The coin generated video object brought about by the rolling coin, may encounter, overlap, or come in contact with other video objects on the video screen, which may be called target video objects. The target video objects may be, for example, video images or cartoon images of people, animals, buildings, inanimate objects, animated objects, or any other kind of video images.

When the coin generated video object comes in contact with, overlaps, or hits a target video object, the target video object may change state or have a reaction to the encounter with the coin generated object. For example, if the coin generated object is a rat, and the rat comes in contact with a mom pushing a baby carriage, the mom may faint. The video object of the mom may change gradually or immediately change from a state of standing still to a state of lying down on the ground from having fainted. In addition to a hit “reaction” or change of state, each target video object may have a near miss reaction when the coin generated object comes close to contacting or overlapping the respective target object.

In addition, the present invention in one or more embodiments provides that the coin generated object can “enter” the door of a business and thereby change the image on the entire screen from a scene outside the business to a scene inside the business.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1Ashows a perspective view of an apparatus10in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention where a coin50is rolled in a first direction. The apparatus10includes a slot12, an inclined chute14, a surface or playfield16, a plurality of sensing devices, such as sensing devices20a,20b,20c,20d,20e,20f,20g,20h,20i,20j,20k, and20l, a coin repository24, a screen device26, and a housing or cabinet28. The screen device26is typically comprised of a screen29and a computer processor27which runs a computer program for displaying video objects or visual images on the screen29. The sensing devices20a–20lare electronically connected to the computer processor27of the screen device26. Electronic connection may be wireless, hardwired, optical, electromagnetic or any other type of communication connection. The housing or cabinet28is comprised of portions28a,28b,28c, and28d. The sensing devices20a–lmay be comprised of slot in which, or near which is located any type of mechanism for sensing the presence of a coin such as a mechanical switch, a light emitting diode and light detector, an electromagnetic switch, an optical switch, or any other type of sensing device. There may be as many sensing devices (like sensing device20a) as desired, however, the number of sensing devices would probably not be less than three or greater than twenty depending on the computer software requirements of computer software running on the computer processor27of the screen device26.

A ticket dispensing device39, whose location is shown by dashed lines inFIGS. 1A and 1B, may be located within the housing or cabinet28. The ticket dispensing device39may have a slot39afor dispensing tickets. The ticket dispensing device39communicates with the computer processor27of the screen device26and may dispense a given number of tickets under for example, certain circumstances, as will be explained herein.

The surface or playfield16should be set into the housing or cabinet28under glass not shown, so that the coin50after insertion into the slot12, cannot be accessed by a player (without a device such as a key to the apparatus10or a device similar to a key).

The devices20a–lmay be considered to be a single integrated sensing device. The plurality of devices20a–lmay be provided along the width of an end16a of the surface16. The coin repository24is shown in dashed lines and is typically hidden inside the housing28so that coins, such as coin50, falling into the coin repository24cannot be taken out unless one has a key, for example, to a locked door not shown. The inclined chute14may be steered by a button14alocated on the portion28dof the housing or cabinet28. The button14acan steer the chute14so that the coin50can be made to roll in different directions, such as in the direction shown, i.e. east to west, along the line L1inFIG. 1Aor in the direction shown along the line L3inFIG. 1B. The inclined chute14may give the coin direction and speed. The inclined chute14or an attached or included coin mechanism and guide may swivel and thus may be steered by the button14ato steer the coin50or51. Mechanisms for steering the coin50or51and for such inclined chutes14are known in the art.

In operation, an individual first adjusts the button14aso that the inclined chute14is pointed in the desired direction. The individual then drops a coin50into the slot12. The coin50drops through the slot12and lands on the inclined chute14. The coin50would typically travel through a coin validation mechanism, not shown, to ensure that the coin is a true quarter or a true token, for example. Coin validation mechanisms are known in the art. The coin validation mechanism can be electrically connected to the computer processor27of the screen device26so that if there is a valid coin, a timing mechanism can be started to allow a certain amount of time for the coin to reach the end16aof the surface16before the apparatus10would assume that there has been an error.

The coin50rolls along the inclined chute14and then onto the playing surface16until the coin is at a position50a, shown in dashed lines inFIG. 1A. The surface16may be a flat and smooth surface, which allows the coin50to roll freely. The coin50continues to roll, eventually reaching position50band then position50cat the end16aof the surface16. The coin50then falls off of the surface16and through the sensing device20d, which is the fourth sensing device from the end16bof the playing surface16.

Each sensing device20a–lmay have a chamber or slot through which the coin50would fall. InFIG. 1A, the coin falls through sensing device20d. The sensing device20dInFIG. 1Asenses the coin50as the coin falls, due to gravity, from the position50c. The sensing device20dmay provide a coin signal to the computer monitor27of the screen device26. The coin signal may indicate both the coin's presence and the location along the end16aof the surface16where the coin50fell off of the surface16. For example, the coin signal may indicate that the coin50fell off of the surface16ainto sensing device20dat a distance of W1from the left edge16bof the surface16.

The screen device26and/or the computer processor27of the screen device26, responds to the coin signal by displaying a coin generated video object on the screen29of the screen device26. The coin generated video object may be displayed so that it appears to slowly come onto the screen29at a location, which is near, within a certain range, where the coin50fell off of the surface16. For example, if the coin50fell off of the end16aof the surface16at a distance of W1from the edge16bof the surface16, then the coin generated video object may appear at a distance W2from the edge29aof the screen29, where W1and W2are the same, near the bottom29bof the screen29. The end16aof the surface16and the end29aof the screen29may lie in substantially the same plane. Basically, the coin generated video object appears to be a continuation of the rolling of the coin50. The computer processor27of the screen device26, is programmed to make the coin generated video object move up, or appear to move up the screen29of the screen device, from the bottom29btowards the top29cin a direction L2. (This can be done by displaying a succession of video images which are slightly different from one another or in slightly different states).

The screen29is located in a plane. The direction L2of the movement of the coin generated video object in the plane of the screen29is related to the direction L1of the movement of the coin50in the plane of the surface16. If the coin50moves in the direction of line L1, perpendicularly to the ends16aand16c, of the surface16, then the computer processor27of the screen device26can be programmed to cause the coin generated video object to move in the direction of line L2, perpendicularly to the bottom29band the top29cof the screen29. The start of line L2at the bottom29bwould be near to the end of the line L1at the end16a. This makes it appear as though the coin generated video object is merely continuing the movement of the rolling coin50.

FIG. 1Bshows the perspective view of the apparatus10ofFIG. 1where a coin51is rolled in a second direction shown by the line L3. The coin51may be identical to the coin50. The button14amay be pressed to move the inclined chute14to a position different from that shown inFIG. 1A, causing the different direction of movement shown by line L3. The coin51, after being dropped through the slot12, falls onto the inclined chute14and then rolls onto the surface to position51a. The coin51rolls through positions51aand51b. When the coin51falls off of the surface16, at or near position51c, it enters a slot for sensing device20h. The sensing device20hindicates the lateral position along the width of the surface16wherein the coin51falls off the end16a. The lateral position inFIG. 1Bis about a distance W3from the edge16bof the surface16. The coin falls through the sensing device20hand is detected by the sensing device20h. The sensing device20hsends a coin signal to the computer processor27of the screen device26. The coin signal provides an indication of the location where the coin51fell of the surface16at end16a. The coin is deposited in the coin repository at position51d.

The angle A1between the line L3(the direction of rolling of the coin51) and the edge16bof the surface16is the same as the angle A2between the line L4(the direction of movement of a coin generated video object which is created in response to the coin51) and the edge29aof the screen29. In this manner the coin51appears to change into the coin generated video object on the screen29, and/or to continue to move in a related direction.

FIG. 2Ashows a first video image26acomprised of a plurality of video objects in a first state to be displayed on the screen29for use with the apparatus10ofFIG. 1A. The first video image26aincludes video objects100and110which may include images or representations of first and second businesses such as restaurants or stores. The video object100may be further comprised of further video objects such as a store name101, a door102, and a window104. The video object110may be further comprised of further video objects such as a store name111, a door112, and a window114. The first video image26amay include further video objects such as persons106and116, sidewalk120, road122, and car124. Each video object is shown in a first state inFIG. 2A. Video objects100,101,102,104,106,110,111,112,114,116,120,122, and124are shown in states100a,101a,102a,104a,106a,110a,111a,112a,114a,116a,120a,122a, and124a. Each of these video objects may change shape, size, color, or location on the screen29as time goes by and in response to the computer processor27of the screen device26. Each of these video objects may be animated. Each of these video objects may be considered to be a target video object. The states100a,101a,102a,104a,106a,110a,111a,112a,114a,116a,120a,122a, and124a, in this example, are the states of the appropriate video objects just prior to the screen device26modifying the screen29in response to a rolling coin, such as coin50or51.

FIG. 2Bshows a second video image26bof a plurality of video objects in a second state to be displayed on the screen29of the screen device26for use with the apparatus10ofFIG. 1A. InFIG. 2Ba coin, such as a coin50has been detected and the screen device26has changed the image on the screen29from video image26ato video image26b. In video image26b, the video objects100,101,102,104,106,110,111,112,114,116,120,122are now in states100b,101b,102b,104b,106b,110b,111b,112b,114b,116b,120b,122b, and124b, respectively, which for simplification are substantially the same as states100a,101a,102a,104a,106a,110a,111a,112a,114a,116a,120a,122a, and124aofFIG. 2A. However, unlike video image26a, video image26bincludes a portion of a coin generated video object, which in this example is a video rat126in a state126b. The video rat126has a nose127displayed in a state127band a portion of its body128is displayed in a state128b. The video rat126is placed on the screen29by the screen device26(which may include a computer processor27) at a location corresponding closely to the location where a coin, such as coin50, fell off of the surface16at the end16a, as shown inFIG. 1A. The video rat126will move up the screen29in the direction and along line L2, also previously referred to inFIG. 1Awhich relates as previously specified to the direction of line L1of movement of the actual rolling coin.

FIG. 2Cshows a third video image26ccomprised of a plurality of video objects in a third state to be displayed on the screen device26for use with the apparatus10ofFIG. 1A. In the third video image26cthe rat126has moved further out onto the screen29in the direction of line L2. A tail129of the rat126can now be seen on the screen29. The nose127, the body128, and the tail129are shown in states127c,128c, and129cin the video image26c. The other video objects, such as100,101,102,104,106,110,111,112,114,116,120,122are now in states100c,101c,102c,104c,106c,110c,111c,112c,114c,116c,120c,122c, and124c, respectively, which for simplification are substantially the same as states100a,101a,102a,104a,106a,110a,111a,112a,114a,116a,120a,122a, and124aofFIG. 2A.

FIG. 2Dshows a fourth video image26dof a plurality of video objects in a fourth state to be displayed on the screen29of the screen device26for use with the apparatus10ofFIG. 1A. In the fourth video image26dthe rat126has moved further up on the screen29in the direction of line L2. The video rat126in state126dnow overlaps a state106dof the person video object106. I.e. it appears that the video rat126is on the toe of the person106. The other video objects, such as100,101,102,104,110,111,112,114,116,120,122are now in states100d,101d,102d,104d,110d,111d,112d,114d,116d,120d,122d, and124d, respectively, which for simplification are substantially the same as states100a,101a,102a,104a,110a,111a,112a,114a,116a,120a,122a, and124aofFIG. 2A.

Just after the rat126begins to overlap the person106, or when the rat126is within a certain distance of the person106, the person video object106may show a “reaction” by changing to another state such as state106eshown inFIG. 2E.FIG. 2Eshows a fifth video image26e. InFIG. 2Ethe person video object106has reacted to the rat126by lifting up his/her foot to put himself or herself in a state106e. The other video objects, such as100,101,102,104,110,111,112,114,116,120,122, and126are now in states100e,101e,102e,104e,110e,111e,112e,114e,116e,120e,122e,124e, and126erespectively, which for simplification are substantially the same as states100a,101a,102a,104a,110a,111a,112a,114a,116a,120a,122a, and124aofFIG. 2A, and126dofFIG. 2D.

FIG. 3shows a sixth video image26fof a plurality of video objects in a sixth state to be displayed on the screen29of the screen device26for use with the apparatus10ofFIG. 1A. InFIG. 3the car video object124has moved to a state124fwhere it contacts or overlaps the rat126in a state126f. The car video object124may have moved gradually and seamlessly across the screen from state124ainFIG. 2Ato state124finFIG. 3. The other video objects, such as100,101,102,104,110,111,112,114,116,120,122, and126are now in states100f,101f,102f,104f,110f,111f,112f,114f,116f,120f,122f, and124f, respectively, which for simplification are substantially the same as states100a,101a,102a,104a,110a,111a,112a,114a,116a,120a,122a, and124aofFIG. 2A.

Immediately after the rat126or rat state126fhas contacted the car124or car state124f, the rat126may change shape or form into a squashed rat (to represent being run over by the car124) or into some other form.

FIG. 4Ashows a seventh video image26gof a plurality of video objects in a seventh state to be displayed on the screen29of the screen device26for use with the apparatus10ofFIG. 1A. InFIG. 4Athe rat126has traveled along the line L5up from the bottom29bof the screen29to the middle of the screen29. The line L5may correspond to a different line of direction of a different rolling coin. The rat126is shown inFIG. 4Ain a state126gin which the rat126is just beginning to contact the door102in the state102g.

FIG. 4Bshows an eighth video image26hof a plurality of video objects in an eighth state to be displayed on the screen device26for use with the apparatus10ofFIG. 1A. The eighth video image26hshows a drastically different scene from the video image26gofFIG. 4A. In one embodiment, when the rat126overlaps or contacts the door102of video image26gofFIG. 4A, the screen29may black out, i.e. nothing may be displayed for an instant, then an entirely new scene which is shown as video image26hinFIG. 4Bmay be displayed. In one embodiment, the rat126is no longer displayed on the screen29. Rather, a person has to roll another coin in order to get the rat126to come up on the screen29. The rat126may come up on the screen29and run from the bottom29bof the screen29upwards towards the top29cof the screen29in the scene inside business #1shown by video image26h, with the addition of the rat126, similar to as previously described for the scene outside the business #1shown byFIGS. 2A–4A.

The video image26hincludes a washing machine target video object200, a dryer target video object202, a change machine target video object204, a bench target video object206, a soap dispenser target video object208, a floor target video object210, a person target video object212, and a business name target video object214. The target video objects200,202,204,206,208,210,212, and214are shown in states200a,202a,204a,206a,208a,210a,212a, and214ainFIG. 4B. The target video objects200and202may include portals or doors201and203respectively. The change machine target video object204may include dispensing area205. When the coin generated video object, such as a rat126enters the screen29in video image26hor in a somewhat modified form of video image26h, the rat126may contact or overlap washing machine target video object200which may cause it to change state. For example, the rat126contacting the washing machine200may cause clothes to appear to be spinning through the portal201. Similarly any of the other target video objects may change in appearance or state, such as in color, shape, size, or in any other manner, in response to the rat126coming within a certain distance of the appropriate target video object or within a certain distance of another target video object.

The rat126may be replaced by any type of video or display object, such as a tank which may move up the screen29and fire at an opposing army; an arrow which may move up screen29shooting at target video objects; or a torpedo shooting at moving ships.

When the rat126or other coin generated video object intersects, hits, or comes within a certain distance of a target video object, the ticket dispensing device39inside the housing28may dispense a certain number of tickets through the ticket dispensing slot39a. The ticket dispensing device39awould communicate with and/or be electrically connected to computer processor27of the screen device26. The number of tickets dispensed may be dependent on the particular target video object hit. For example, if the rat126intersects with the person target video object212, five tickets may be dispensed or awarded by the ticket dispensing device39through the ticket dispensing slot39a. If the rat126intersects with the bench target video object206, four tickets may be dispensed or awarded by the ticket dispensing device39through the ticket dispensing slot39a.

The present invention is particularly useful for coin redemption games, i.e. where the ultimate objective of the game is to win tickets which can be accumulated and exchanged for prizes at arcades. Players use their skills both in timing and aiming to cause the coin generated video object, in one example, the rat126, to intersect with the target video object that has the potential for getting the player the most tickets per coin rolled. In addition to the enticement of tickets, the present invention in one or more embodiments entices players to roll at target video objects so that completely different scenes or video images may be displayed, like the change from the scene inFIG. 4Ato the scene inFIG. 4B. The scene of video image inFIG. 4Bcan be replaced by any type of scene, video image, or animation including for example a humorous cartoon. This provides an award which is not based merely on tickets and provides the owner of the game or machine, such as apparatus10, with a greater payoff percentage. (i.e. the players will play merely to see further cartoons or video images or scenes, without having to give out more tickets and with more tickets, more merchandise.