Abstract:
A method of providing entertainment including providing a game cell bounded by walls comprising, a first video game console system, a screen that interacts with the video game console system and displays images generated by the video game console system, wherein an inside face of at least one wall is decorated with a theme that corresponds to a game playable on the video game console system, checking for the availability of the cell for use by a player, upon availability of the cell, accepting payment from the player for rental of the cell for a period of time, and providing at least one controller to the player for use in the cell, the controller interacting with the video game console system.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/372,194, filed Feb. 17, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,133,103 which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional applications 61/028,684 and 61/031,856 filed Feb. 14 and 27, 2008 respectively, which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     While bars and restaurants are and will likely remain popular entertainment destinations, customers and potential customers continually seek new experiences and entertainment options. It is of course well-known that bars and restaurants, or combinations thereof, are fun places for people to, inter alia, eat, drink, listen to music, and socialize. However, people are always looking for new and interesting experiences, and it is important for bar/restaurant owners to provide a unique or novel experience to attract customers, and to promote customer traffic. This, it is critical that a bar/restaurant update and “retool” the services or “extras” offered by the bar/restaurant. In the past, bars/restaurants included darts, pinball, and other games, to augment the social experience. 
     In recent years, video game systems such as the Nintendo Wii™, the Sony Playstation® and the Microsoft Xbox® have introduced video game experiences where players can play together and participate in video games having a shared experience. Thus, such video games as EA SPORTS Madden NFL Football™ and a host of sports games, HALO®, Rock Band™, and Guitar Hero™, to name a few, have become very popular due to the ability of players to participate in multi-layer, group, or simultaneous modes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method of providing entertainment including providing a game cell bounded by walls comprising, a first video game console system, a screen that interacts with the video game console system and displays images generated by the video game console system, wherein an inside face of at least one wall is decorated with a theme that corresponds to a game playable on the video game console system, checking for the availability of the cell for use by a player, upon availability of the cell, accepting payment from the player for rental of the cell for a period of time, and providing at least one controller to the player for use in the cell, the controller interacting with the video game console system. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a single cell in use. 
         FIG. 2  shows a view of multiple cells in use inside a restaurant. 
         FIGS. 3-5  show cells with different themes. 
         FIGS. 6-8  show different sections through the cell. 
         FIGS. 9 and 9   a  show steps in a method and system described herein. 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram for the control system for an amusement center as described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As used herein, the term “game cell” is a room, area, space, pod, or enclosure capable of housing a projection screen (e.g., a video screen, a television, screen, or monitor anything that shows an image) with space for at least one person to participate in a game. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , an amusement center  10  (for example, a restaurant, bar, recreation center, store, or even a residence) includes at least one game cell  12 . The game cell  12  as shown is approximately cube-shaped and comprises three walls, a ceiling, and an open side  14 . In use, one or more of the cell  12 &#39;s walls might be substituted with an existing surface such as an existing wall, floor, or ceiling. 
     As shown, one of the walls is a projection wall  16 . The projection wall  16  shows the interactive game itself on a screen  18 . The screen  18  could project from the wall  16 , be projected onto the wall  16 , or as shown, be a screen  18  that is flush with the wall  16 . Having the screen  18  be flush with the wall  16  adds to the ambiance (to be discussed) and the cell  12  accomplishes with a recessed cavity  20  in the wall  16 . Access to the cavity could be through an outside face  16   a  of the wall  16  or through a clear window  22 . To avoid damage and fingerprints, the clear window  22  that could be made from a shatter-resistant material would cover the screen  18  and cavity  20 . To protect the screen  18  from damage, the screen  18  could be secured to the wall  16  or cavity  20  in such a way as to prevent easy access to the screen  18 . In one embodiment, screen  18  may be a touchscreen which can detect the location and presence of a touch on the screen  18 . The screen  18  may be a standard touchscreen, a touchscreen employing a multi-touch capability, a “touchless touchscreen” that uses optical cameras and magnetic strips to detect when a user is approaching the screen  18 . 
     The cavity  20  may also provide space for components of a video game console system and/or CPU  24 . The system  24  might also be stored outside the recessed cavity  20 , or even remote to the game cell  12 , as long as it delivers images to the screen  18  and can interact with a person  30  in the cell  12 . 
     As shown, the game cell  12  has speakers  26  recessed into its sidewalls  17 . In another embodiment, the speakers may be placed below the screen  18 . The speakers may deliver sounds generated by the CPU  24 . Alternatively, the speakers  26  may be connected to a central audio control center. The audio control center could switch audio to any selected audio source. For example, the speakers could be controlled to deliver sounds from another cell  12 , from a television, an iPod®, or any audio source. Optionally, the speakers may be controlled by a wireless remote unit. Although four speakers  26  are shown, the speakers  26  could be associated with the screen  18 , stored in the recessed cavity  20 , or elsewhere inside the game cell  12 . Moreover, more or less than four speakers  26 , in particular enough to provide a surround-sound experience, could be included. 
     Each cell  12 , in use when a player  30  (or players) is playing a game, also has at least one controller  32  within it. The controller  32  is one of the varied “joystick” type controllers that are available for the gaming systems, and may be shaped as shown in  FIG. 1  as a guitar, or any other shape that is appropriate. For example and without limitation, the controller  32  could be shaped as a steering wheel, sword, gun, baseball bat, football, etc. For the Nintendo Wii® and systems that are sure to follow its lead in the future, motion of the controller  32  through space controls the action within the game through sensors  24   a  mounted within the cell  12 . (The Wii® uses a sensor bar mounted below the screen  18 .) Controllers  32  should be safely attached to players&#39; wrists or arms, such as by a wrist-band, lanyard, or other means. The means of attaching the controller  32  to a players&#39; body should be comfortable, but not easily removed. Alternatively, each cell  12  may have a hands-free controller setup, wherein the game system is controller is a combination of a camera, depth sensor and multi-array microphone to provide full-body 3D motion capture, facial recognition, and voice recognition capabilities. This may be used, for example, with an Xbox Kinect game system. The microphone array may allow the game system to perform acoustic source localization and ambient noise suppression, allowing for things such as headset-free party chat over a game system. Optionally, each cell  12  may include a controller port, wherein a user can provide their own controllers. 
     The cell  12  could be lit with lights  34 , which could be plain white lights or colored lights, depending on the desired cell  12  conditions. Moreover, depending on the desired conditions, the lights  34  may not be activated or even present, and the cell  12  might be lit by ambient light. The lights  34  may also pulse, move, or rotate colors during gameplay to enhance the experience. Multiple lights  34 , of uniform or different colors complementary to the cell&#39;s theme (discussion to follow), could be provided on light stanchions mounted inside the cell  12  as shown. Alternatively, the lights could be mounted inside the sidewalls  17  or ceiling  17   a . Moreover, if appropriate, the cells  12  may not be lit with more than ambient light and the light from the screen  18 . The lights  34  may be connected to a control device that responds to sound or movement. In one embodiment, the lights  34  may be configured to flash, change color, or move based on sounds or movements within the cell  12 . The lights  34  may be controlled centrally, by a central control unit. Additionally, the lights may be controlled by a wireless control unit that controls the lights  34  directly, or through the central control unit. 
     The cell  12  may also have a single or multiple still or video cameras  36  mounted therein. The cameras  36  may feed a video monitor remote from the cell  12  that allows other people to watch the action inside the cell  12  or the cameras  36  may feed a recording device (not shown) that would allow a person  30  to purchase a souvenir movie of his game. The cameras  36  would also allow responsible parties to monitor the cell  12  and provide technical support or respond to inappropriate behavior. In addition, the cameras  36  may be used to capture player performances such as by recording the player performance on a DVD or another distributable media format of any kind, or taking a picture, within a game cell for the player to save for posterity. Additionally, cameras  36  could be used to create a picture-in-picture overlay wherein footage of players playing the game overlays game footage. Thus, a player could take home a souvenir of a “record setting” or “tournament winning” performance captured on DVD or a digital or tape format, and re-watch it, share it with friends and family, or upload to an internet video service and share with the world. An establishment could charge a fee for recording a player&#39;s game cell performance, or for the sale of the DVD or other format, or for any combination of those. 
     Each cell  12 , may include a control unit  33 . The control unit  33  may be a touchscreen device located on the projection wall  16 , or the sidewall  17 . The control unit  33  may be used for switching between gaming systems, adjusting the lighting, volume, and audio source. The control unit  33  may further be configured with a paging function, wherein the control unit  33  activates a link to the control center allowing the user to request additional time, beverages, or technical support. Additionally, the control unit  33  may be configured for checking in, requesting time for a cell  12 , ordering food and drinks, and other services via an automated control system. To further automate the system, the control unit  33  may be connected to a payment receipt machine that accepts credit/debit cards, tokens, or prepaid cards designed for the ordering device. This may enhance the experience allowing users to order additional time and refreshments without leaving the cell  12 . In one embodiment, the control unit  33  may be configured with a pass-code allowing limited access to customer users without the pass-code. 
     Each cell  12  can have its aesthetics compliment the game played on the screen  18 , called a theme. As used herein the term “theme” refers generally to an overall aesthetic (graphics/décor/theme/sound/ornamentation) decorating or otherwise associated with a game cell that relates to the subject matter of a particular video game. 
     As used herein, a “themed cell” or a cell having a “theme” is a cell having pre-formed details that create a particular motif or aesthetic. A themed cell has a collection of pre-formed aesthetic, visual, graphic, video and/or audio details creating a unitary motif providing an immersive environment for player using or in the cell. The cell theme should preferably match, compliment and/or accentuate the theme of the game being played in the game cell. For example, a cell having a sports game should have a sports theme as reflected by the color (e.g., green for a football video game), the graphics (e.g., a football stadium and cheering fans and/or cheerleaders painted or otherwise projected on the walls of the cell for a football video game), the audio provided in a cell in addition to any audio of a game (e.g., the sounds of a cheering or booing rowdy crowd at a football game for a football video game), and a physical design relating to the game (e.g., Astroturf™ or a faux grass rug on the floor of a cell for a football video game). An immersive gaming experience is one where the player/gamer, even though in a bar or restaurant, feels immersed in the subject matter of a video game for a complete gaming experience. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, the player  30  is playing a game like ROCK BAND® or GUITAR HERO® and the game cell  12 &#39;s theme is shown in its walls  16  and  17  that are decorated to give the appearance of fans at a live concert. Of course, the ceiling and floor could also be appropriately decorated. This adds to the enjoyment of the game and also makes the cell  12  more interesting to those watching outside of it. As shown in  FIG. 1 , there is a fog machine  35 . The fog machine emits a dense vapor that appears similar to fog or smoke. The fog may be created by vaporizing water and glycol or glycerine-based fluids or through the atomization of mineral oil. 
       FIGS. 3-5  show different themed cells  12  including a football theme ( FIG. 3 ), a boxing theme ( FIG. 4 , and a bowling theme ( FIG. 5 ). 
       FIG. 3  shows a football game cell  12   a  to be used for playing, for example, a football video game. The football game cell  12   a  is therefore themed with a football theme, including, for example artificial turf on the floor  19  or a carpet resembling artificial turf of a football stadium, with yard lines marked on the “field,” football fans painted or displayed on the walls  17 , a football scoreboard, animated cheerleaders, or any other elements related to the theme of “football.” 
       FIG. 4  shows a boxing game cell  12   b  with a player playing with, for example, a Wii™ boxing video game. Two players may stage a boxing match against each other. The game cell  12   b  is themed as a boxing ring, and may include piped-in crowd noises associated with boxing. 
       FIG. 5  shows a bowling game cell  12   c  with a player using a Wii™ video game console system, playing a bowling game. The floor  19  may be fashioned to resemble the wood floor of a bowling alley to compliment similarly-themed walls  17 . Each of the above themed cells may have proper ambient themes piped in (crowd noise, other bowling alley sounds, etc.). 
     Another game cell may feature a player playing a baseball game, such as EA Sports: MVP Baseball™. Such a game cell would therefore be themed in a baseball theme, with a baseball field decor. It may also be outfitted with, for example, a real hotdog or popcorn or peanut concession or stand and other refreshments related to a baseball park experience. 
     Yet another game cell could include a “shooter” or “shooting” game such as HALO® or QUAKE®, and could include a science fiction or “post-apocalyptic wasteland” theme. Yet another game cell could include a “horror” theme for a “horror” video game such as Silent Hill™. A horror theme could include frightening or dark images (demons, etc.), a haunted house motif, or other scary elements. 
     The cell&#39;s  12  themes should compliment, accentuate and/or otherwise emphasize the game offered in the cell  12  for an optimum and immersive gaming experience. The decorations could be painted on the walls  16 ,  17  but a reusable, cleanable, and less-expensive option involves printing the decoration to a uniform size on a material that can be applied to the cell  12 &#39;s walls  16 ,  17 . Such a material could be a vinyl or similarly-washable patterned wallpaper  40 . This allows for replacing the decorative paper  40  when it gets damaged or if the theme needs to be changed. Alternatively, the wall  16 ,  17 &#39;s decorations could be projected onto the walls from projectors (not shown) mounted within the cell  12  or the walls  16 ,  17  themselves could be screens that allow for atmospheric projection thereon, it being understood that these types of projection would allow for the theme to both move and change depending on the game being played in the cell  12 . 
     Table 1 below summarizes game and cell theme elements follows. Some or all of the elements might be present in any given cell  12 . 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Subject Matter 
                   
               
               
                 of Video Game 
                 Possible Themed elements 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Baseball 
                 Ambient baseball noises (e.g., “Charge!”) 
               
               
                   
                 Baseball equipment 
               
               
                   
                 Baseball lined field 
               
               
                   
                 Baseball memorabilia 
               
               
                   
                 Baseball Scoreboard 
               
               
                   
                 Baseball stadium 
               
               
                   
                 Concessions 
               
               
                   
                 Fans 
               
               
                   
                 Mascot 
               
               
                   
                 Team colors (such as local team where 
               
               
                   
                 situated) 
               
               
                   
                 Umpires 
               
               
                 Competition singing 
                 Audience 
               
               
                 or karaoke (e.g., 
                 Band 
               
               
                 AMERICAN IDOL ®) 
                 Judges 
               
               
                   
                 Music graphics 
               
               
                 First person shooter 
                 Ambient battle noises (e.g. firing weapons, 
               
               
                 (e.g., HALO ®, 
                 bombs, planes, etc.) 
               
               
                 QUAKE ®) 
                 Enemies/monsters/aliens 
               
               
                   
                 Environmental graphics (e.g., desert, 
               
               
                   
                 wasteland, jungle, alien planet) 
               
               
                   
                 Weapons 
               
               
                 Football 
                 Ambient football noises (e.g., “DEFENSE!”) 
               
               
                   
                 Cheerleaders 
               
               
                   
                 Concessions 
               
               
                   
                 Fans 
               
               
                   
                 Football equipment 
               
               
                   
                 Football lined field 
               
               
                   
                 Football memorabilia 
               
               
                   
                 Football Scoreboard 
               
               
                   
                 Football stadium 
               
               
                   
                 Referee 
               
               
                   
                 Team colors (such as local team where 
               
               
                   
                 situated) 
               
               
                 Hockey 
                 Ambient hockey noises (e.g., “KILL HIM!”) 
               
               
                   
                 Fans 
               
               
                   
                 Hockey arena 
               
               
                   
                 Hockey equipment 
               
               
                   
                 Hockey memorabilia 
               
               
                   
                 Hockey Scoreboard 
               
               
                   
                 Ice 
               
               
                   
                 Referee 
               
               
                   
                 Team colors (such as local team where 
               
               
                   
                 situated) 
               
               
                   
                 Zamboni 
               
               
                 Horror 
                 Ambient “monster” noises (e.g., creaking 
               
               
                 (e.g., Silent Hill ™) 
                 boards, spooky ghost sounds, screams, etc.) 
               
               
                   
                 Cobwebs 
               
               
                   
                 Ghosts/goblins/demons 
               
               
                   
                 Haunted house 
               
               
                   
                 Occult graphics 
               
               
                 Music 
                 Ambient concert noises (e.g., cheering, 
               
               
                 (e.g., ROCK BAND ® 
                 whistling, etc.) 
               
               
                 or GUITAR HERO ®) 
                 Band 
               
               
                   
                 Concert posters 
               
               
                   
                 Crowd 
               
               
                   
                 Instruments 
               
               
                   
                 Music notes 
               
               
                   
                 Wild changing colors 
               
               
                 Role-player game 
                 Ambient battle sounds 
               
               
                 (RPG, e.g., WORLD 
                 Medieval armies 
               
               
                 OF WARCRAFT ®) 
                 Medieval graphics (e.g., castles, swords, etc.) 
               
               
                   
                 Medieval weapons 
               
               
                   
                 Mythical creatures (e.g., dragons, hydras, 
               
               
                   
                 monsters, tec.) 
               
               
                 Water based sports 
                 Beach 
               
               
                 (e.g., surfing, 
                 Beach goers 
               
               
                 jet skiing, etc.) 
                 Blue 
               
               
                   
                 Ocean graphics 
               
               
                   
                 Sea creatures 
               
               
                   
                 Waves 
               
               
                 Winter Sports 
                 Abominable snowman 
               
               
                 (e.g., skiing, snow 
                 Ambient skiing sounds (e.g., “Whoosh” of 
               
               
                 boarding, etc.) 
                 skiers) 
               
               
                   
                 Faux snow 
               
               
                   
                 Olympic ™ sports graphics or competitors 
               
               
                   
                 Ski lift 
               
               
                   
                 Skiers 
               
               
                   
                 Snowman 
               
               
                   
                 Snowy mountain 
               
               
                   
                 White floor or carpet 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Cell Construction 
     A cell  12  could be constructed of virtually any size or shape. With that in mind, a cell  12  with approximate interior dimensions of about 7 feet (width)×7 feet (height)×6.5 feet (depth). These dimensions provide adequate space for between 1-3 players within the cell  12  at a time, it being understood that some games (ROCK BAND®) require less room than others (e.g. a boxing game with swinging fists). 
       FIGS. 6-8  show cross sections through the cell  12  for one possible way of constructing the cell  12 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, each cell  12  is bounded by 4 constructed walls  16 ,  17 ,  17   a . A floor  19  serves as the base for the cell  12 , and can also reflect the theme as shown (for the football theme, for example, the floor  19  could be a section of lined artificial turf. A fabricated floor can be included in the cell  12 &#39;s construction and should be both durable cleanable. The cell  12  could also not include a prefabricated floor  19 , and instead just use an existing floor or carpet. 
       FIGS. 6-8  show the common components with the earlier figures like the walls  16 ,  17 ,  17   a , the open side  14 , and the recessed cavity  20 . These sectional views, however, also show that the cell  12  is constructed using standard construction framing techniques using studs  50  and wall board  54 . Of particular note,  FIG. 8  shows a radiused wall joint  15 . The wall joint  15  is formed using the contour stud  56  with a radiused piece of wall board  58  secured thereto. As previously discussed, decorative paper  40  covers the wall board  54  to provide the cell  12 &#39;s theme and provide a uniform and attractive surface within the cell  12 . 
     Wall board  58  covers the outside faces of the cell  12  and may be covered with paint, wallpaper, or other material to present an attractive surface. 
     The recessed cavity  20  has a similar stud  50  and wall board  54  construction. As shown, the recessed cavity  20  may not provide room for the CPU  24  but the cavity  22  could provide a space for the CPU by merely being larger. 
     The CPU  24 , screen  18 , sensors  24   a , speakers  26 , controller  32 , and monitor  70  are all connected to one another and power supplies either wirelessly (particularly the controller  32  has advantages for being wirelessly connected to the CPU  24 ) or using wires and cables (some cables  25  shown for illustrative purposes only). The cables could be run between the opposed wall boards through the studs  50  where necessary. Power to the lights  34  could similarly run between the opposed wall board. 
     While a stud  50  and wall board  54  constructions is shown in the figures, the cell&#39;s structural components could be pre-formed from plastic or other materials, especially if mass production of cells  12  is desirable. The cells  12  may be may be formed to have removably-interlocking or interchangeable parts for ease of construction and in order to allow an amusement center  10  owner to rearrange the game cells to suit their particular needs. The game cells  12  may be made so they can be easily constructed or taken down, rearranged, or stacked, depending on, for example, the space constraints of the amusement center  10 . 
     It is appreciated that the game cells may be prefabricated for easy assembly, and may be formed to have interlocking or interchangeable parts for ease of construction and in order to allow a bar/restaurant owner to rearrange the game cells to suit their particular needs. The game cells may be easily constructed or taken down, rearranged, or stacked, depending on, for example, the space constraints of the bar/restaurant. 
     Note that the number of game cells is not limited, and that any interactive or multi-layer video games may be used. In some cases, a particular set-up may be used, such as in a tournament situation. For example, all game cells could be decorated having a unitary or related theme, and could all be running the same game, if the bar/restaurant were to have a tournament for a single video game. 
     Amusement Center Use 
       FIG. 2  shows multiple cells  12  in use in an amusement center  10 , such as a restaurant, bar, arcade or similar recreational gathering place.  FIG. 2  shows a stacked group of four cells  12 ,  13 , although it should be clear that other numbers and arrangements of cell-groupings are possible. As shown, a person  30  accesses the upper cells  13  using stairs  71  and platform  72 , which has a railing  74  attached thereto for safety. Other arrangements to access the upper cells  13  are possible and include without limitation elevators and other stairway variations. 
     Within the amusement center  10 , people not in the actual games can follow gameplay on monitors  70 . The monitors  70  can mimic the screen  18 , show the camera  36 &#39;s feed, combinations thereof, or multiple views from within multiple cells  12 . The monitors  70  might also show reservations for cells  12  or tournament play results. 
     Tournament games that pit players against one another in games within single cells  12 , cells  12  within the same amusement center  10 , or even cells  12  in difference amusement centers  10 . Additionally, the video systems in each cell  12  may be networked to each other directly, or via the internet. This would allow tournament play against different cells/centers, and spectators could watch video feeds could of the individual players in the various locations. Such tournament games could be “live” against opponents in the same game, like those tournaments and games available in the “Xbox Live™” and similar systems. A description of Xbox live at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_Live and submitted in an enclosed Information Disclosure Statement is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth. 
     The cell  12 &#39;s at least partially opened or openable configuration allows players  30  to move between the cell  12  and amusement center  10  to take mobile calls, talk with friends, order drinks, reserve additional time in the cell  12 , and eat food. Moreover, having at least an open side  14  facing other amusement center patrons allows the other patrons of the amusement center  10  to participate as an audience to the players  30  playing the game. This adds to the amusement center  10 &#39;s experience and also entices non-participating patrons to perhaps use one of the game cells  12 . In this manner, patrons are encouraged to join in the game, and become a “star.” This may invoke competition to drive other patrons to pay to participate in the game cells. 
     Amusement Center Management 
     As in the manner in which a bowling alley handles shoe rentals, for example, players  30  may come to a check-in/check-out booth or counter, and check-in/check-out controllers  32  and cell  12  rentals using cash, a credit card number, identification, etc. A cell  12  would generally be rented for a certain time period and could be used with the rented controller  32 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a flowchart of a method and system for managing the cells and games within an amusement center  10 . When a potential player  30  arrives at the checkout counter, the system first checks to see if the requested cell  12  is available, step  200 . If the requested cell  12  is available, the player  30  gives payment information, step  202 , usually in the form of a credit card so that food, drinks, and additional time could be ordered for the person (or their cell  12  and charged to this card. 
     Following payment processing, the system assigns a cell  12 , step  204  and game controllers  32 , step  206 . The system then activates one or more of the cells  12 , CPU  24 , and/or controllers  32  or controller ports, step  208 . Activation would entail ensuring that the cell  12 , CPU  24 , and/or controllers  32  or controller ports will work for the paid-for period of time. Such activation would entail some sort of automated circuit activation; similarly, deactivation would break the circuit so the cell  12 , CPU  24 , and/or controllers  32  could not be used. Deactivation could just entail cutting power to the lights  34  within the cell  12 . The amusement center  10  would likely need some sort of security or enforcement to ensure that the cell  12  was only in use by authorized people. 
     As the prepaid time frame nears completion, the system would check with the player  30  to see if they would like to reserve more time, step  210 . Such a check could be through the touchscreen ordering device or even the screen  18  within the cell  12 . If the player  12  desired more time, the system reverts to step  200 , although steps  202 - 208  may not need to be repeated. 
     If the player  30  does not want to continue playing, the time expires, step  212  and the cell  12 /CPU  24 /controller  32 /controller port is deactivated, step  214 . The player can then choose to rent another cell  12 , step  216 . If they do not want another cell  12 , they can settle their account and return their controllers, step  218 . If they want to rent another cell, they return to step  200 , and may not need to repeat steps  202 - 208 . 
     Each cell  12  may further include a port  34  to insert a memory device. The memory device would allow a player to save a particular game, or character to the device so that the user could restart the game at an appropriate starting point. Alternatively, the memory device for each cell may be stored centrally, wherein the central controller would store the game. This would also allow an amusement center to cell the user a particular memory device to the user after a session is terminated. 
     If the cell  12  is not available in step  200 , the system checks to see if the cell  12  is available later, step  220 . If the player  30  wants to reserve the cell  12  for later, step  222 , the system gets payment information, step  224  (similar to step  202 ). Once the reservation is secure, the system could give the player  30  a reservation, step  226 . The reservation could just be a time for the player to return to use the cell  12 . It could also be a selectively activatable controller or other device that indicates when the cell  12  becomes available—such devices are well-known at major chain restaurants and light up/vibrate when a table is available. Other reservation notifications could include announcements over an address system or information on monitors  70 . This permits the player  30  to enjoy the amusement center&#39;s other offerings (food, bar, dancing, etc.) while waiting for his reservation. Once the reservation time arrives, step  228 , the player  30  returns to the cell  12  or checkout (in step  204 ) to start his game. 
     If a particular cell is not available or a player  30  does not want to reserve the cell for later due to personal conflict, the system asks if the player  30  would like a difference themed cell  12 , step  230 . If the player wants another cell  12 , they are returned to step  200 . If not, the system of operator at the checkout desk can suggest other forms of entertainment available in the amusement center, step  232 . 
     The controllers  32  may be equipped with tracking devices such as RFID chips or other means, that may be monitored by the system. The RFID tags would prevent theft or accidental loss. A bracelet system could also be employed, where players  30  receive a bracelet before being permitted to use a game cell  12 . The bracelets could have RFID chips or similar means for tracking or monitoring the player  30  and ensuring that they are the only player in their rented cell  12 , i.e., they are not using a cell  12  that they did not rent. Further, a security system such as used in department stores may be employed, so that players cannot take the controllers  32  past a certain point without setting off an alarm. 
     Each game cell  12  could have food and beverage service directly to it. Accordingly, a game cell  12  may include a service table, chairs, and benches. Moreover, a waitstaff person (who could be dressed corresponding to the theme in the cell  12 , e.g., a cheerleader, spacesuit, baseball umpire) may be assigned to a specific game cell or group of game cells, so that the players can receive personalized VIP treatment in addition to game immersion. 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram for the control system for an amusement center. As shown in the figure, a plurality of cells  12   a - 12   z  are connected to a centralized control unit  1000 . The control unit  1000  operates as a brain center for the system. It receives all of the video/audio/data feeds from cable broadcast, satellite broadcast, gaming systems and performs the switching and control functions between the various feeds. The control unit  1000  also controls access to each of the cells  12   a - 12   z . A user interface  1010  is connected to the control unit  1000 . The user interface  1010  allows a user to select options, perform switching functions and perform control tasks. The control unit  1000  also has a receiver  1020  to receive controls from a wireless remote device  1030 . The wireless remote device  1030  is configured with an interface that is similar to the user interface  1020 , and allows an operator to control each cell  12   a - 12   z  remotely. 
     The disclosed game cells, amusement center, and system immerse a player in an experience, and allows video game skills honed in the privacy of a person&#39;s home to be displayed to a crowd (such as within a larger establishment such as a bar or restaurant) and the offered video games may be varied to cater to a wide audience. The game cell  12  may be rearranged to suit the needs of the bar/restaurant where it is employed. Moreover, while generally described in an amusement center  10 , such a cell  12  could be set up in a home or other space as well. A truck or other conveyance could contain mobile game cells that could be set up in the parking lot of, for example, a stadium or other location, or on a city street, creating a mobile game cell environment. Cells can be easily fabricated for assembly and disassembly. 
     Having thus described in detail several embodiments, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified in the detailed description of the invention, could be made without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating only part of the preferred embodiment are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiment and optional configurations are therefore to be considered in all respects as exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to this embodiment which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.