Abstract:
A dispensing fishing game system includes a prize capsule storage bin in the form of a three dimensional play field at the bottom of a cabinet. A drive mechanism controls a fishing rod with lifelike operation. An external fishing rod hand and spool mechanism are activated by a player to manipulate the inside fishing rod mechanism to move side to side, or back and forth, a fishing hook in order for a player to move the hook and snag one of the prizes. Once hooked, the prize is lifted and released over a prize chute which then falls down and rolls into a prize opening for the player to collect.

Description:
FILED OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates, generally, to electro-mechanical games that challenge players to use their motor skills, sense of timing and sense of space in order to win and be rewarded if they play well and more particularly, to a fishing simulator game. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One example of an electro-mechanical game is a so-called crane game. Prizes are won by a player manipulating a crane claw over plush animals or other prizes and trying to position and release the crane claw in order to win one of the prizes. Rewards in such games can be difficult to achieve. This is due to the fact that the typical crane claw has difficulty in lifting and holding the prizes. 
     Another type of such game, which may also be classified as a merchandiser, enables prizes to be won by the player by manipulating a drill type spinning cylinder by positioning it and releasing it forward toward a wall full of holes that hold prizes. If the cylinder penetrates perfectly through the center of a hole in the wall a prize will be pushed through to fall out and enable the player to collect it from a receiving bin. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a cabinet housing containers or capsules containing prizes. At the front of the cabinet is a control panel with a fishing rod handle and reel mechanism. Mounted in the interior of the cabinet is a boom mechanism supporting a fishing rod, spool and line, with a hook on the distal end of the line. The control panel and boom mechanism are operatively connected to a control system. When the handle and spool mechanism are activated and manipulated by a player, the fishing rod and spool are controlled by the control system to behave and respond to the player&#39;s control actions very much like an actual rod and reel. This enables the player to manipulate the hook anywhere inside the cabinet and through the player&#39;s skill alone be able to hook any of the prizes by placing a tip of the hook in a loop or hole on the prize. The captured prize can then be lifted like an actual fish and placed over a dispensing outlet to be automatically released. The captured prize is then delivered to a dispensing opening via a prize chute. 
     The game play can be configured as a skill only game. Alternatively, the game play can be automatically modified like a merchandiser or redemption game. Likewise, the game play can be mathematically, mechanically or electronically set to a game of chance, similar to a slot machine, or any other gaming device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an artistic rendering of a dispensing fishing game in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevation, isometric view of a dispensing fishing game in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of the dispensing fishing game of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial isometric right side elevation view of the dispensing fishing game of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a right side elevation of a boom mechanism of the dispensing fishing game of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 6 is a left side elevation view of the boom mechanism of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the boom mechanism of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a spring actuated hook in accordance with the invention with a captured prize; 
     FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8 showing actuation of the hook to release a captured prize; 
     FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control system of the dispensing game of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of a program implemented by the processor of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a plan view of a prize container according to one embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a side end view of the prize container of FIG. 12 in an open position; and 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view of a prize container according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, a dispensing fishing game  20  in accordance with the invention as illustrated. The game  20  comprises an electro-mechanical coin operated fishing simulator game system housed in a modified video game cabinet  22 . The cabinet  22  is approximately thirty inches wide, eighty-two inches tall and thirty-three inches deep. The cabinet  22  is effectively divided into a bottom dispensing space  24 , a middle prize container holding space  26  and a play area space  28 . 
     The prize container holding space  26  is approximately thirty inches wide, thirty-three inches deep and nineteen inches high and may contain up to two hundred prizes  30 . Each prize  30  comprises a container  32  having a hook or loop  34 . Particularly, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the containers  32  comprise transparent plastic containers configured to resemble a fish. The loop  34  is positioned near the mouth of the fish. While the game  20  is illustrated in connection with plastic, fish shaped containers, other types of articles to be dispensed could be used, as will be apparent with those skilled in the art. Each container  32  can house various different types of prizes, for example, toys, useful tools of common use or the like, or tickets having predefined values for redemption for prizes. 
     The game  20  is played by user actuation of an external control panel  36  mounted to the front of the cabinet  22 . The control panel  36  supports a handle  38 , resembling a fishing rod handle, along with a simulated spool  40 . Separately mounted in the interior of the cabinet  22  is a fishing rod  42  and associated line  44  and hook  46 . As described more particularly below, the rod and line are controlled by a control system responsive to commanded movement from the handle  38  and spool  40  to manipulate the hook  46 . Particularly, the fishing rod  42  can be pivoted side to side and back and forth. The line  44  can be wound or unwound. This enables the player to raise or lower the fishing hook  46  at any position in the play area space  28  as well as the prize container holding space  26  so that the hook  46  engages one of the loops  34  to capture the associated prize  30 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the fishing game  20  is illustrated in greater detail omitting the artistic elements of the cabinet  22  illustrated graphically in FIG.  1 . Particularly, FIGS. 2 and 3 comprise an isometric view of the front and right side, respectively, of the cabinet  20 . 
     The cabinet  20  comprises a back wall  48  connected between a right side wall  50  and a left side wall  52 . A front door  54  is hingedly mounted to the left side wall via a continuous hinge  56 . A bottom wall  58  is provided at the bottom of the cabinet  22 , while a peaked top  60  encloses the top of the cabinet  22  and includes a marquee and light area  62 . A conventional latching mechanism  64  is mounted to the front door  54  for selectively latching to the bottom wall  58  and the top  60  in a conventional manner. The side walls  50  and  52  and front door  54  are at least partially of glass or the like so that the holding space  26  and play area space  28  are visible. 
     A horizontal wall  66  positioned above the bottom wall  58  separates the dispensing space  24  from the prize container holding space  26 . A prize chute  68  is positioned in a rear right corner of the prize container holding space  26  and includes an open top inlet  70 . The chute  68  extends downwardly past the horizontal wall  66  and is turned forwardly to a dispensing outlet  72 , see FIG. 3, which is selectively closed by a hinged chute door  74 , see FIG.  2 . 
     Referring to FIG. 4, the control panel  36  houses a joy stick mechanism  76  having an actuator  78  connected to the handle  38 . The joy stick mechanism  76  is conventional in nature and includes four switches (not shown) actuated by the actuator  78  responsive to left, right and forward and back movement of the handle  38  and thus actuator  78 . The spool  40  includes a handle  80  pivotally mounted to a housing  82  enclosing an encoder wheel  84  and optical sensor  86 . Particularly, the handle  80  is operable to rotate the encoder wheel  84 . The rotation of the encoder wheel  84  is sensed by the optical sensor  86 . 
     The switches of the joy stick mechanism  76  and the optical sensor  86  comprise inputs  206  to a control system  88 , see FIG. 10, for controlling operation of the game  20 . The control system  88  is described more specifically below. 
     The control panel  36  also houses a coin operated mechanism  90  for enabling play of the dispensing fishing game  20 . The control panel  36  is mounted to the door  54 . 
     Movement of the fishing rod  42  is controlled by a drive system  92  mounted in the cabinet  22 . The drive system  92  controls movement of a boom  94 . The boom  94  includes an elongated tubular bracket  96  telescopically receiving the fishing rod  42 , as particularly shown in FIG.  4 . As is apparent, the fishing rod  42  could be an integral element of the boom  94 . As such, the tubular bracket  96  and the rod  42  would be the same. The drive system  92  controls movement of the boom  94  side to side and back and forth. 
     Particularly, the drive system includes a bracket  98  fixedly mounted in the cabinet  22 . The bracket  98  comprises an inverted U-shaped bracket having opposite flanges  100 , see FIG. 7, fixedly mounted to the horizontal wall  66  using screws or the like (not shown). A turntable  102  is rotatably mounted atop the bracket  98  and supports a frame  104 . The boom  94  is pivotally mounted to the frame  104  for movement relative thereto. The drive system  92  includes a servo system  106  for controlling movement of the boom  94 . The servo system  106  includes a first servo  108 , see FIG. 7, for controlling rotation of the turntable  102 , frame  104  and boom  94  about a vertical axis represented by a vertical shaft  110  and a second servo  112  for controlling rotation of the boom  94  about a horizontal axis represented by a horizontal shaft  114 . 
     The first servo  108  is enclosed within the bracket  98 . The first servo  108  includes a motor  116  fixedly mounted to an underside of the bracket  98  and driving a belt  118 . The belt  118  drives a driven pulley  120  connected to the vertical shaft  110 . The vertical shaft  110  also carries a cam  122  and the turntable  102 . A bearing  124  is provided between the bracket  98  and the turntable  102 . The cam  122  is operatively associated with limit switches  126 . An encoder wheel  128  is driven by the driven pulley  120  via a gear mechanism (not shown). The gear mechanism provides an 8:1 ratio of the encoder wheel  128  to the driven pulley  120 . Rotation of the encoder wheel  128  is sensed by an optical sensor  130 . 
     The optical sensor  130  comprises an input for the control system  88  of FIG.  10 . Likewise, the motor  116  comprises an output  208  controlled by the control system  88 . The limit switches  126  are electrically connected in series with the motor  116  to disable the motor to prevent the fishing rod  42  from hitting the cabinet side walls  50  and  52 . 
     The second servo  112  comprises a motor  132  mounted to the frame  104 . The motor  132  has a shaft  133  carrying a drive pulley  134 , see FIG. 5, driving a belt  136 . The belt  126  in turn drives a driven pulley  138 . The driven pulley  138  is fixedly connected to the boom  94  via the horizontal shaft  114 , for rotating the boom  94  about the horizontal axis represented by the shaft  114 . A cam  140  is also carried on the horizontal shaft  114  and operates a pair of limit switches  142 . The limit switches  142  are electrically connected in series with the motor  132  for preventing the rod  42  from contacting the cabinet rear wall  48  or front door  54 . An encoder wheel  144  is also driven by the horizontal shaft  114  via a gear mechanism (not shown), providing an 8:1 ratio, as above. An optical sensor  146  senses rotation of the encoder wheel  144  and provides an input  206  to the control system  88 , see FIG.  10 . Likewise, the motor  132  comprises an output  208  for the control system  88 . 
     The boom  94  comprises a first plate  150  carrying the tubular bracket  96 . The tubular bracket  96  telescopically receives the rod  42 . A second plate  152  is fixed atop the tubular bracket  96  at a right angle to the first plate  150 . The first plate  150  rotatably carries a spool  154 . The line  44  is wound about the spool  154 . The spool  154  is driven by a motor  156  mounted to the first plate  150 , see FIG.  6 . An encoder wheel  158  is connected to the spool  154  for rotation therewith. An optical sensor  160  senses rotation of the encoder wheel  158  and provides an input  206  to the control system  88 , see FIG.  10 . Likewise, the spool motor  156  comprises an output  208  for the control system  88 . A limit switch  162  is mounted to the first plate  150  and includes an actuator  164 . A distal end of the actuator  164  comprises a loop  166  receiving the line  44 . The limit switch  162  comprises an input  206  for the control system  88 , see FIG.  10 . The limit switch  162  senses slack in the line  44  indicating that the hook  46  has bottomed. This is used by the control system  88  to disable further unwinding of the line  44 . 
     A circular plate  168  is mounted to the second plate  152  via a bracket  170 . The circular plate  168  acts as a cover for the drive system  92 . 
     As described, the drive system  92  controls movement of the boom  94  side to side via the first servo  108 . Particularly, the motor  116  is driven to rotate the vertical shaft  110  to turn the frame  104  and thus the boom  94  side to side. Similarly, the second servo  112  is operated by the second motor  132 . Rotation of the motor  132  rotates the horizontal shaft  114  to move the boom  94  back and forth. As such, the rod  42  being received in the boom  94  is controlled by the drive system  92  to move side to side and back and forth within the play area space  28 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the hook  46  comprises an actuable hook for automatically releasing a prize  30 . Particularly, the line  44  extends downwardly from a distal end  170  of the rod  42 . The line  44  passes downwardly through a weight  172  into a shell  174 . The shell  174  includes an upper neck  176  opening into a bulb  178  having a bottom wall  180  and rear slot  182 . A hook element  184  is pivotally mounted in the shell  174  at a pivot  186 . The line  44  is tied about a loop  188  disposed between the pivot  186  and a tip  190 . A spring  192  connects to a looped end  194  of the hook element  184  and to the shell  178  at a stud  196 . The spring  192  normally biases the hook element  184  to a downward position as shown in FIG. 8 with the tip  190  received in the container loop  34 . To automatically release the prize  30 , the line  44  is wound until the weight  172  engages the rod distal end  170 . At the same time the neck  176  engages the weight  172  which prevents further upward movement of the shell  174 . By continuing to wind the line  44 , the hook element  184  is pulled upwardly against force of the spring  196  about the pivot  186  until it reaches an uppermost position shown in FIG.  9 . At the uppermost position the tip  190  is withdrawn from the loop  34  to release the container  32  and drop the prize  30 . 
     While the illustrated embodiment of the invention uses a spring to actuate the hook  184 , other schemes could be used, such as providing a weighted hook. 
     Referring to FIG. 10, the control system  88  is illustrated in block diagram form. The control system  88  includes a processor  200  including associated ROM memory  202  and RAM memory  204 . In the illustrated embodiment to the invention, the RAM memory  204  is illustrated as a component of the processor  200 , while the ROM memory  202  is separate. As will be apparent, the ROM memory  202  and RAM memory  204  could be an integral component of the processor  200  or a separate component, as necessary or desired. 
     The processor  200  is operatively connected to various input elements, see block  206 , as discussed above. The input elements include switches of the joy stick mechanism  76 , see FIG. 4, and may also include the limit switches  126 ,  142  and  162 . Likewise, the input elements include the optical sensors  86 ,  130 ,  146  and  160 . Output elements  208  include the motors  116 ,  132  and  156 . In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the motors are controlled using pulse width modulation. Other output elements include various lamps housed within the cabinet  22 , as will be apparent. Likewise, the processor  20  is connected to a sound and music generator circuit  210  for driving a speaker  212 , see FIG. 2, for providing audio feedback to a user. 
     The control system  88  operates in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM  202  and data stored in the RAM memory  204 . The control program controls operation of the fishing game. The data includes input from the input devices  206  as well as information such as amount of money inserted by a user for playing a game. 
     The basic operation of the program processor  200  is to sense movement commanded via the user control panel  36  to provide corresponding control of the drive system  92 . Particularly, the processor  200  is operable to sense left and right movement of the handle  38  and command related left and right movement of the boom  94  and thus the fishing rod  42 . Likewise, back and forth, or up and down, movement of the handle  38  is sensed to command corresponding back and forth, or up and down, movement of the boom  94  and thus the fishing rod  42 . Similarly, rotation of the spool  40  is sensed to command rotation of the spool  154  to wind or unwind the line  44 . Particularly as is evident in FIG. 4, the user control panel  36  is not mechanically linked to the drive system  92 . Nevertheless, the drive system  92  is controlled responsive to movement commanded via the user control panel  36  to simulate the fishing experience. 
     Referring to FIG. 11, a flow diagram illustrates operation of a program implemented in the processor  200  for play of the fishing game  20 . The program begins at a start node  220  after coins are inserted in the coin dispenser  90 . The cost of a game can be selected as desired. A block  222  initializes operation by moving the rod  42  and spool  154  to a select start position. Game music is then started. A clock timer is reset and started. A number of prizes awarded is set to zero. Particularly, the clock timer can be used to set duration of the game. This can be varied to provide different skill levels. Duration can be unlimited for a merchandise or redemption game. The game is then started by controlling movement of the rod  42  and line  44  to provide the remote controlled fishing experience. As described, during game play, the user manipulates the handle  38  to move the rod  42  from side to side or back and forth. Likewise, the spool  40  is turned to selectively wind or unwind the line  44 . FIG. 3 illustrates the rod  42  in a back position in dark line, and in a forward position in light line. The start position can be any desired position within the play area space  28 . The objective of the game is to insert the hook  46  into one of the container loops  34  to capture a prize. 
     Operation of the control program proceeds to a decision block  224  which determines if a prize is detected on the hook  46 . A prizes is detected based on speed of the spool motor  156  at a set voltage detected by speed of the spool and coder wheel  158 . If not, then a decision block  226  determines if a prize exit switch is activated. The prize exit switch is associated with the chute outlet  72  for sensing if a prize has passed through the chute  68 . If not, then a block  228  adds an elapsed time to the clock timer. A decision block  230  determines if the clock timer limit has expired. If not, then control loops back to the decision block  224 . 
     If a prize is detected on the hook  46 , as determined at the decision block  224 , then a block  232  stops the clock and enables a vibrator element  198  in the handle  35 , see FIG.  4 . This provides an indication to the user that prize has been captured. Next the program empties the fish hook  46  over the prize chute inlet  70 . This is done by automatically controlling the boom  94  to position the rod distal end  170 , see FIG. 9, above the chute inlet  70 , see FIG.  3 . The line  44  is then wound onto the spool  154  until the prize  30  is released, as shown in FIG.  9 . The prize then drops down through the chute inlet  70  into the chute  68  to the outlet  72  and activates the prize exit switch (not shown). A block  234  then returns the fishing rod  42  to the previous location and restarts the clock. Control then proceeds to the decision block  226 . 
     If the prize exit switch is activated at the block  226 , then a block  236  increments the number of prizes awarded during the game. A bell is rung or other sound is generated on the speaker  212 . A prize counter is incremented as part of an auditing function. A decision block  238  then determines whether the number of prizes awarded in the game is equal to an optional extra prize level. If not, then control proceeds to the block  228 . If so, then an extra prize is released at a block  240 . The extra prize would be released by a solenoid actuator, or the like, not shown, for delivery to the chute outlet  72 . A further sound is generated to indicate that an extra prize has been awarded. 
     If the clock timer limit has expired, as determined at the decision block  230 , then a block  242  is operable to empty the fish hook to release any captured prize back into the prize container holding area  26 . Music is stopped and a game over sound or speech is played on the speaker  212 . The rod  42  is then moved to the game start position. The game ends at a node  244 . 
     Thus, in accordance with the invention, there is provided a dispensing game  20  comprising a cabinet  22 . A plurality of prizes  30  are stored in the cabinet  22 . Each prize  30  includes an associated container  32  having a loop  34 . An elongate boom  94  has a near end defined by the tubular bracket  96  receiving the rod  42  and a far end defined by the rod distal end  170 , see FIG.  9 . The boom  94  is movably mounted in the cabinet  22 . The spool  154  carries the line  44  with a hook  46  on a distal end of the line. The spool  154  is rotatably mounted relative to the boom  94  with the line  44  being carried proximate the rod  42  with the hook  46  hanging downwardly from the far end  170 . The drive system  92  controls movement of the boom  94  and rotation of the spool  154 . The user control panel  36  is mounted to the cabinet  22  and commands movement of the boom  94  and the line  44 . The control system  88  is operatively connected to the inputs  206  and outputs  208  associated with the drive system  92  and the user control panel  36  for controlling the drive system  92  responsive to the commanded movement. As a result, the hook  46  can be manipulated to engage one of the loops  34  and capture the associated prize  30 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 a prize container  300  according to an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The prize container  300  is formed from a single sheet of transparent plastic to resemble a fish. Such a container is often referred to as a clam shell design. Particularly, the container  300  comprises a top half or part  302  and a bottom half or part  304  connected along a fold line  306  defining a living hinge. The top half  302  comprises a formed body  308  surrounded by an edge flange  310 . The formed body  308  defines a downwardly opening space  312 . Similarly, the bottom half  304  comprises a formed body  314  surrounded by an edge flange  316  to define an upwardly opening space  318 . The top half  302  is a mirror image of the bottom half  304 . A plurality of closing buttons  320  extend upwardly from the bottom half flange  316 . Similarly, a plurality of closing buttons  322  extend upwardly from the top half flange  310 . The top half closing buttons  322  are slightly larger than the bottom half closing buttons  320 . The buttons  320  and  322  are provided in similar locations on the respective flanges  316  and  310 . 
     FIG. 13 illustrates the container  300  in an open position. In this position, a prize to be dispensed can be placed in either space  318  or  312 . The halves  302  and  304  are moved together about the fold line  306  until the bottom closing buttons  320  are received in the top closing buttons  322 . The closing buttons  320  and  322  cooperate to maintain the container  300  in a closed position. The prize is captured in the collective space formed by the spaces  318  and  312 . A plurality of holes or through openings  324  extend through both flanges  310  and  316 , to define loops. As such, the openings  324  can be engaged by the hook  184 , see FIG. 8, to capture a prize. 
     To vary the skill level of the games, the openings  324  can be varied in size and number. Particularly, making the holes  324  smaller renders the game more difficult. Likewise, providing fewer holes  324  makes the game more difficult. FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative prize container  330  which is similar to the prize container  300  of FIG. 12, except that three openings  332  are provided, rather than five as in the container  300 . Additionally, the openings  332  are larger. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the openings  324  and  332  are selected to be in the range of ⅛″ to ⅜″, with ½″ being an average. A ⅛″ opening would require substantially greater skill to capture a prize than would a ⅜″ opening. As is apparent, the present invention is not intended to be limited to openings of these sizes. 
     Thus, in accordance with the invention, a dispensing game is provided which is a typically game of skill. A positive result occurs if the hook is received in the container loop. The captured prize is then delivered to the chute without fear of losing the prize.