Abstract:
The invention relates to systems and methods for automating prize selection and distribution, namely in the arcade industry. In one embodiment, a prize dispensing device is configured to be backwards-compatible with existing redemption and amusement game standards. In another embodiment, the prize dispensing device comprises a plurality of chambers allowing for the automated distribution of prizes. In yet another embodiment, the device comprises a removable section for containing prizes allowing for the quick replacement and restocking of prizes to be distributed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to redemption devices in the arcade industry. More specifically, aspects of the invention relate to systems and methods for automating prize selection and distribution.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Generally, ticket dispensers are used wherever tickets can be used as a means for exchange of goods and/or services. One popular field for using tickets and ticket dispensers is the field of arcade games. Players of amusement games, such as arcade and redemption devices, can win tickets based on a final score or goals associated with a game. The tickets can be redeemed for prizes offered at the arcade.  
         [0003]     Historically, tickets were manually counted by an arcade employee. More recent systems have replaced manual tabulation with a “ticket eating” mechanism. Generally, an operator manually inserts tickets into a machine that counts the tickets. The tickets are quantified by a physical feature on the tickets. For example, in some systems, each ticket has a notch that is counted as it is inserted, yet in more modem systems the tickets have more complex identifying mechanisms, such as a bar code. Upon being counted the tickets are destroyed and the user is issued a receipt for the number of inserted tickets that may be presented to redeem prizes.  
         [0004]     These systems still require the presence of an employee to insert the tickets into the machine and to issue a voucher for the tickets to the consumer, thereby not reducing costs of producing and stocking the tickets and employee work time. While some modem arcade games have replaced the ticketing system with a prize delivery system, the majority of amusement games on the market still utilize the ticket system to distribute a prize to a player. It goes from the foregoing, therefore, there exists a need for an automated prize dispensing system.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
    
    
       [0005]     In one embodiment, a prize dispensing device is configured to be backwards-compatible with existing redemption and amusement game standards. In another embodiment, the prize dispensing device comprises a plurality of chambers allowing for the automated distribution of prizes. In yet another embodiment, the device comprises a removable section for containing prizes allowing for the quick replacement and restocking of prizes to be distributed.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic diagram of a prize dispensing device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic diagram of a prize dispensing device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates a flow diagram for a method of dispensing prizes in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary prize dispensing housing according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates an arcade-style game having an exemplary prize redemption device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic diagram of a prize dispensing device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention configured to be connected to existing machines and convert ticket dispensing information to prize dispensing information. The device  100  comprises an interface module  102  that receives information relating to dispensing tickets. The interface module  102  may be configured to receive an input from existing ticket dispensing redemption games. For example, existing redemption or amusement games may reward a user by dispensing tickets in accordance with the user&#39;s performance. Several existing redemption games utilizing tickets having notches wherein the notches on the tickets trigger a quantifying mechanism during distribution to ensure an accurate distribution of tickets. The interface module  102  of one embodiment of the present invention is configured to be coupled with the existing infrastructure of the gaming apparatus wherein tickets are not dispersed but rather the quantified notches are tallied as points. In other existing redemption games, tickets may be dispensed in accordance with the number of pulses received. In embodiments designed for configuration with these redemption games, the interface module  102  is configured to count the number of pulses. In yet further embodiments, the interface module  102  is in communication with existing third-party arcade-style games that are not equipped with ticket-distributing capabilities. The interface module  102  may be configured to communicate with the game concerning the user&#39;s performance, such as for example, the highest score received, the hardest level accomplished or the amount of time playing the game.  
         [0012]     The prize dispensing device also comprises a translation module  104  for translating the ticket dispensing information to prize dispensing information. The translating process performed in the module  104  depends on the embodiment. For example, if the interface module  102  is coupled to a redemption game that sends pulses as ticket dispensing information, the translation module  104  will quantify the pulses and convert the information into information relating to which prize is appropriate to dispense. The translation module may further comprise a controller  106  for controlling the prize distribution process. The controller  106  may comprise a memory and/or an electronic media device for storing and executing computer readable information or an algorithm to determine which available prize to distribute based upon the user&#39;s performance. For example, a sample program could be configured to not dispense a prize when no signal is received or when a value under a predetermined limit is received. Different values could be assigned to the dispensing of different prizes. For example, one possible computer-executable instructions may comprise an algorithm concerning dispensing prizes where a first prize would dispense if the value received from the translation module  104  was between a value of zero (0) and a predetermined value (Y), whereas a second prize of greater value would dispense upon the translation module  104  sending a value that is between Y+1 and a second predetermined value (Z).  
         [0013]     In yet other embodiments, the controller  106  may be configured to determine the duration of time the chambers are open, and thus the number of dispensed prizes. For example, a final value calculated at the translation module  104  may signal the distribution of prizes for a fixed amount of time. This may be useful in the distribution of small prizes such as candy, where the amount of candy distributed is a function of the time. Optionally, the amount of an opening exposed during distribution may be controlled by the controller  106 , and may be a function of the amount of points received the by user. For example, an input signaling 10 points may reveal a passageway for the distribution of candy that is only a fraction of a passageway that may be created for an input received signaling 20 points.  
         [0014]     While the exemplary embodiment has separate interface and translation modules, it is within the scope of the invention to have one module that acts as an interface and translation module. Yet in further embodiments, there are multiple interface and/or translation modules for connecting a plurality of amusement games to the prize dispensing device that may have different ticket dispensing configurations.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic diagram of a prize dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The device  200  comprises computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions  202 , wherein the instructions relate to the distribution of prizes based upon a ticket dispensing input. The ticket dispensing input is received in at least one ticket dispensing input interface ( 204 ,  206 ). Multiple interfaces may be used, for example, an interface to receive a pulse input  204 , may be used on the same device with an interface to receive notch input  206 . This configuration would be especially advantageous where multiple gaming devices having different ticket dispensers are in communication with the prize dispensing device.  
         [0016]     The exemplary embodiment utilizes controls ( 208 ,  210 ,  212 ) and optionally displays ( 214 ,  216 ,  218 ) to adjust the number of prizes dispensed from the device as well as to adjust the computer readable instructions relating to dispensing the prizes. For example, using the above example where a first prize would dispense if the value was between a value of zero (0) and a predetermined value (Y), whereas a second prize of greater value would dispense upon the translation module  104  sending a value that is between Y+1 and a second predetermined value (Z), the user could determine the values for Y and Z. For example, to configure the instructions to dispense a first prize if the ticket value was between zero (0) and five (5), the user would use control  208  to input to the processor  202  that the user is adjusting the value for the first prize. In the exemplary embodiment, display  214  would display a “1”. The user would then use control  210  to set the first range (zero), which may displayed on display  216 . Similarly, using control  212 , the user may set the second range for the selected prize to dispense, which will be displayed in display  218 . While the illustrate embodiment utilizes controls ( 208 ,  210 ,  212 ) where the user presses buttons to raise or lower the displayed range, other embodiments may use a dial or even an electronic mechanism to adjust the range of tickets needed to dispense the selected prize. Indeed, any user input interface that may be configured to adjust the range of dispensed tickets is contemplated by the invention.  
         [0017]     The processor  202  is also in communication with at least one prize dispensing mechanism ( 220 ,  222 ,  224 ), wherein based upon an input from a ticket dispensing input interface  204 ,  206 , the processor  202  determines which prize dispensing mechanism is activated. The prize dispensing mechanism may be configured to mechanically dispense a prize, such as for example through a motor driver ( 226 ,  228 ,  230 ), an electronic interface ( 232 ,  234 ,  236 ), or a combination thereof. The prize dispensing mechanism may also comprise an inventory display  238  that registers the number of prizes dispensed for each prize dispensing mechanism.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a flow diagram for a method of dispensing prizes in a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary method, ticket dispensing information is first received (step  302 ). This step may be performed by interface module  102  or other suitable means. Optional step  304  may also determine the presence of a ticket dispenser in the system, wherein the ticket dispenser may optionally be disabled at step  306 . Upon receipt of ticket dispensing information, step  308  translates the ticket dispensing information to prize dispensing information. Step  308  may be performed by translation module  104 , or other suitable means known in the art. Step  310  analyzes the prize dispensing information to determine the appropriate prize to be dispensed. An optional step, such as step  312 , may be incorporated to ensure the appropriate prize is present in the inventory. This may be done for example by coordinating inventory display  308  with the dispensing process. Upon the determination that the appropriate prize chosen in step  310  is not available, step  314  may determine another prize to distribute. This determination may be based on a myriad factors including, but not limited to past user selection, monetary value, or size of the prize. Alternatively, step  316  may be included to determine if the prize dispensing information indicates multiple prizes are available. If multiple prizes are available to a user, step  318  may be initiated to allow the user to select the prize to be dispensed. After a user selection of a prize, step  320  will dispense the chosen prize. If step  316  is not incorporated, step  320  then distributes the appropriate prize chosen at  310  or  312 . The prize may be dispensed from housing as illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary prize dispensing housing, such as housing  108 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated redemption housing  400  comprises a plurality of associated chambers  402 ,  404  for housing prizes. In one embodiment, the chambers are cylindrical to prevent lodging of the encased prizes, however, other configurations are contemplated in the present invention. For example, the distribution of boxed prizes may require the use of rectangular chambers. In further embodiments of the invention, each chamber is of a different configuration to allow the distribution of multiple prizes of different dimensions. The chambers  402 ,  404  may further be partially encapsulated by a housing  406  (not shown). The housing  406  may serve to minimize theft or wear and tear on the chambers. In further embodiments, a protective housing  406  is in rigid communication with the chambers  402 ,  404  and may include a handle or other carrying mechanism to allow the efficient removal and transfer of the chambers. Alternatively, a band or series of bands may encompass and/or bind the chambers  402 ,  404 . In one contemplated use of the prize dispensing device  400 , proximate portion of the chambers  402 ,  404  are in communication with an adapter plate  408 . The adaptor plate may allow the use of chambers having multiple configurations to be utilized, or adapter plate  408  may be configured to ensure only the appropriate chambers having prizes of a known value may be fitted to the device.  
         [0020]     In yet further embodiments, the device may include a plurality of adapter plates to be configured to receive a plurality of different configurations of chambers. The adaptor plates may have a plurality of openings for the distribution of prizes. For example, adapter plate  408  has two substantially round openings. In use, chambers  402  and  404  are aligned with an adapter plate, for example plate  408 , wherein the openings of the adapter plate are aligned with chambers  402  and  404  such that prizes within the chambers will be distributed upon the alignment of the openings with the chambers.  
         [0021]     In one embodiment, dispensing the prize, such as for example, alignment of the chamber (i.e.,  403 ) with an adaptor plate (i.e.,  408 ) may occur through the translation module  104 , wherein the translation module  104  will receive an input from the interface module  102  that is in communication with a redemption game, wherein the translation module  104  will send information to align at least one opening of adapter plates, the opening being dependant on the information received. For example, an opening under chamber  102  can be aligned through the translation module  104  upon the winning or selection of a prize worth 1 point and whereas an opening under chamber  104  will align upon the selection of a prize worth 2 points.  
         [0022]     In other embodiments, multiple adapter plates can be in communication with a plurality of chambers, each holding a prize of the same value. In such embodiments, prizes of similar value but of different shapes and/or sizes may be restocked without the concern of mixing with prizes of greater or lesser value. In these embodiments, the adapter plates may be notched, grooved, or otherwise configured to only accept pre-determined chambers that are shaped to house prizes of a known value. In other embodiments, the translation module interface  104  may receive an input to automatically trigger an opening based upon the performance of the user of a redemption game. In yet another embodiment, a user&#39;s performance will enable the user to determine which opening is triggered, thus dispensing a desired prize.  
         [0023]     In yet other embodiments, the duration of time the openings are triggered, and thus the number of dispensed prizes, is determined by the optional controller  106  associated with the translation module  104 . For example, the controller may be configured to permit an input through the translation module  104  signaling 10 points to trigger an opening to distribute prizes for 20 seconds, but an input signaling 20 points may trigger for 5 seconds. Optionally, the amount of opening exposed during distribution may be a function of the amount of points received the by user. This may be useful in the distribution of small prizes such as candy. For example, an input signaling 10 points may trigger an opening to reveal a passageway for the distribution of candy that is only a fraction of a passageway that may be created for an input received signaling 20 points.  
         [0024]     While the embodiments have been described in relation to an adapter plate aligning with a chamber to release prizes, what has been described above is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Indeed, the present invention is not limited to adapter plates having opening, but may be applied to a broad application of housings that may dispense prizes. Those skilled in the art can implement other systems, configurations, arrangements, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0025]     An exemplary prize redemption device configured for use with an arcade-style game in  FIG. 5 . The arcade video game  500  includes a control unit  505 , a user controller  510 , and a display  515 . Within this cabinet, the user controller  510  and the display  515  are connected to the control unit  505 . A central processing unit  520  in the control unit  505  may execute any gaming program stored on a hard disk  525 , or other storage media, to create a visual representation on the display  515 . The central processing unit  520  may also execute user-defined instructions stored in a random access memory  530 . During game play, the user controller  510  is operated by a user to cause the control unit  505  to vary the visual representation on the display  515 . Optionally, the configuration may include additional input/output sources (see, e.g.  535 ), such as, for example, LAN, WLAN, or interfaces, as known in the art. The video game  500  may also comprise a ticket dispenser  540  for dispensing tickets based upon a user input received at the user controller  510  or input/output source  535 . A ticket dispensing device interface module  545  is in communication with the ticket dispenser  540 . The exemplary ticket interface module  545  is encased in the video game  500 , however, it may be external or integrated within another housing. The interface module  545  may be similar or identical to interface module  102 . The interface module  545  may further be associated with a translation module  104  and controller  106  for dispensing of prizes based upon ticket dispensing information.  
         [0026]     While the exemplary arcade-style game has a separate ticket dispensing device and interface module, it is within the scope of the invention to have one module that acts as a ticket dispensing device, an interface module and a translation module. Yet in further embodiments, there are multiple interface and/or translation modules for connecting a plurality of amusement games to the prize dispensing device that may have different ticket dispensing configurations.