Patent Publication Number: US-2012028711-A1

Title: Multi-touchscreen module for amusement device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/940,527, filed on Nov. 5, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/293,429, filed on Jan. 8, 2010, entitled “Multi-Touchscreen Module for Amusement Device.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the present invention relates generally to an amusement device, and more particularly, to an amusement device with a touchscreen configured to accept, generally simultaneously, a plurality of touch inputs. 
     Amusement devices having electronic games for computers and touchscreens or other types of amusement devices are generally well known in the art. Amusement devices, such as game machines, which allow a user to select games from a video display are well known in the art, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,856,787 (“Itkis”); 5,575,717 (“Houriet, Jr., et al.”); and 5,743,799 (“Houriet, Jr., et al.”), the entire contents which are incorporated herein by reference and each of which shows a touchscreen for making a game selection from a menu of games. Such game machines or amusement devices typically operate upon input of currency (i.e., coin, token, paper money, credit/debit cards or the like) and are installed in locations such as bars, restaurants, airports, shopping malls, video arcades, casinos or the like. The game choices may include card games, sports games, games of skill, games of chance, action games, trivia games, or the like. 
     Generally prior art games with touchscreen displays allow for only one touch input at a time. Thus, prior art devices do not allow for simultaneous multi-player functionality. Players must alternate turns in order to compete or play a game cooperatively. Further, many games are designed for single players only. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide an amusement device that is configured to enable simultaneous multi-player functionality. It is further desirable to provide such a device that is capable of allowing multi-player functionality using single player games while minimizing the need to alter programming code. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly stated, an embodiment of the present invention is directed to an amusement device including a display screen having a touchscreen. The touchscreen is configured to receive a plurality of touch inputs simultaneously. A memory stores a plurality of electronic games for selection and play. A controller is configured to generally simultaneously execute a first game and a second game from the plurality of electronic games. The first game is configured to display at least one first image on a first portion of the display screen, and the second game is configured to display at least one second image on a second portion of the display screen. The first and second games are simultaneously playable. 
     A further embodiment is directed to an amusement device including a display screen having a touchscreen. The touchscreen is configured to receive a plurality of touch inputs simultaneously. A memory stores an electronic game for selection and play. The game is configured to display at least one image. A controller is configured to execute a first instance of the game for a first player using a first portion of the display screen and generally simultaneously execute a second instance of the game for a second player using a second portion of the display screen. The first and second instances of the game are simultaneously playable. 
     Still further embodiments comprise an amusement device including a display screen having a touchscreen. The touchscreen is configured to receive a plurality of touch inputs simultaneously. A memory stores an electronic game for selection and play. The game is configured to display at least one image. A controller is configured to execute an application program, which is configured to access a first instance of the game for a first player using a first portion of the display screen and generally simultaneously access a second instance of the game for a second player using a second portion of the display screen. The first and second instances of the game are simultaneously playable. 
     Another preferred embodiment is directed to a tournament system including a plurality of tournament games playable by a plurality of players on at least one amusement device. Each of the plurality of tournament games generates a total player score upon completion of play. The player scores is used to determine the tournament winners. The at least one amusement device includes a display screen having a touchscreen. The touchscreen is configured to receive a plurality of touch inputs simultaneously. A controller is configured to generally simultaneously execute a first game and a second game from the plurality of tournament games. The first game is configured to display at least one first image on a first portion of the display screen, and the second game is configured to display at least one second image on a second portion of the display screen. The first and second games are simultaneously playable. 
     Yet another preferred embodiment is directed to an amusement device including a display screen having a touchscreen. The touchscreen is configured to receive a plurality of touch inputs simultaneously. A memory stores a plurality of electronic games for selection and play. A controller is configured to generally simultaneously execute a plurality of games selected from the plurality of stored electronic games. Each of the plurality of executed games is configured to display at least one image on a respective portion of the display screen. The plurality of executed games are simultaneously playable. 
     Another preferred embodiment is directed to an amusement device includes a display screen having a touchscreen. The touchscreen is configured to receive a plurality of touch inputs simultaneously. A memory stores a plurality of electronic games for selection and play. A controller is configured to execute an application program, which is configured to access a first game from the plurality of electronic games, access a jukebox controller, and generally simultaneously display at least one first image from the first game on a first portion of the display screen and display at least one second image representing a jukebox control interface on a second portion of the display screen. The jukebox controller is configured to select and play at least one music data set. The first game and the jukebox controller interface are simultaneously accessible. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an amusement device in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an amusement device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a screenshot from an amusement device in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of an amusement device network in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a screenshot from an amusement device in accordance with the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “a” and “an”, as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, mean “at least one.” Further, the terms “coin” or “currency” should not be construed as limiting and can be used herein to mean all forms of coin and paper currency from any country as well as proprietary tokens, game cards, credit cards, debit cards, chits, or other representative forms of credit and/or payment. 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in  FIG. 1A  a first preferred embodiment of an amusement device  10 A. The amusement device  10 A includes a controller U 1  and a memory U 2 . The controller U 1  may be a single microprocessor, multiple processors, or the like. The memory U 2  can be any known or suitable memory device such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash RAM, hard disk, optical disk, or the like. The amusement device  10 A further includes a video display  12 A that is operatively connected to the controller U 1 . The amusement device  10 A also includes at least one input component  14 A that receives value in order to establish one or more playable credits. The value received may be at least one of currency, coins, tokens, chits, credits, credit cards/debit cards or the like. Although only one input component  14 A is shown, the amusement device  10 A may include more than one input component  14 A to give a user an option for payment, for permitting multiple players, or the like. Preferably, the amusement device  10 A is made operable upon actuation of the input component  14 A, for example, the user may only select and play an electronic game once value is received at the input component  14 A and/or one or more playable credits are issued to the user. However, free selections may be offered at the discretion of an operator of the amusement device  10 A. 
       FIG. 1B  shows another or second amusement device  10 B in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The second amusement device  10 B also includes a controller U 1 , a memory U 2 , a display  12 B, and an input component  14 B. Preferably, the video displays  12 A,  12 B are touchscreen video displays configured to accept touch input. The first amusement device  10 A is a free-standing apparatus, whereas the second amusement device  10 B is a table-top or counter-top apparatus. However, the amusement devices  10 A,  10 B may be arranged in any configuration including table mount, wall mount, pole mount, and the like without departing from the invention. 
     For convenience, the amusement devices  10 A,  10 B will be referred to hereinafter simply as “amusement device  10 .” 
     Turning now to the operation of the amusement device  10 , the memory U 2  stores one or more applications or application programs, such as electronic games, a music or video jukebox program, or the like, and a system control program. However, the one or more application programs may also be stored remotely. Preferably, the memory U 2  stores a plurality of electronic games that may be selected and played by one or more players. The controller U 1  controls the touchscreen display  12  based upon the system control program retrieved from the memory U 2  and based upon inputs from the touchscreen display  12 . As used herein, the system control program refers to all of the software that functions outside of the application program files including an operating system, display control, input control, sound drivers, and the like. Other input devices which may be connected to the amusement device  10  include a pushbutton(s), a trackball or touchpad, a mouse, a joy-stick, a foot-pedal, a voice recognition system, a keypad or keyboard, and the like. But, preferably, the input device is the touchscreen display  12 . 
     The amusement device  10  includes an operating mode and a setup mode. When the operating mode is selected, a player or user is selectively permitted to access the application programs. When the setup mode is selected, the owner/operator is permitted to make system setup adjustments. To switch from the operating mode to the setup mode, a mode selector pushbutton (hardware not shown) is provided that is typically concealed from the users. The mode selector pushbutton may be implemented as a hidden software feature, but preferably the mode selector pushbutton is a simple pushbutton that is disposed inside a housing of the amusement device  10 . In the setup mode, the owner/operator may also make adjustments to the game features as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
     In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the controller U 1  controls the display  12  based upon the system control program retrieved from the memory U 2  and based upon inputs of the user. The display  12  preferably has a “widescreen” aspect ratio. Such ratios may include, for example, 16:9, 16:10, 1.85:1, 2.35:1, or the like. The touchscreen display  12  is also preferably configured to receive a plurality of touch inputs simultaneously, i.e., one or more users may touch the display  12  in multiple locations simultaneously and have the data associated with each of the touches be accepted. The touchscreen display  12  is therefore of the projected capacitive type, infrared, ultrasonic, or the like for supporting multi-touch input. 
       FIG. 2  is a screenshot  200  from an amusement device  10  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The controller U 1  is configured to simultaneously or generally simultaneously execute a first game and a second game from the plurality of electronic games stored in the memory U 2 . By the term “generally simultaneously,” it will be understood that the controller is configured to execute the first game and the second game at the same time, with no humanly perceptible delay occurring between the execution of the first game and the execution of the second game. However, one skilled in the art would understand that a brief humanly perceptible delay may occur between the execution of the first game and the execution of the second game, as long as the first and second games may effectively be played simultaneously. 
     The first game is configured to display at least one image  202  on a first portion  204  of the display screen  12 . The second game is configured to display at least one image  206  on a second portion  208  of the display screen  12 . The first and second games are, in one embodiment, preferably the same game selected from the plurality of electronic games, thus permitting multiple users to compete or play cooperatively. Where the first game and second game are the same game, multiple instances of the game will be displayed on the display screen  12 . However, the first and second games may also be different games, enabling competitive or cooperative play between games. Although two games are shown in  FIG. 2  as being executed and playable simultaneously, any number of games may be executed and playable by the controller U 1 , dependent mostly upon the size of the display screen  12 . It will further be understood by one skilled in the art that the controller may execute at least one additional game generally simultaneously with the first and second games, where each additional game is configured to display at least one image on a respective additional portion of the display screen  12 . 
     For example, the first game is playable by the first player  212   a  to attain a first score  214   a , and the second game is playable by the second player  212   b  to attain a second score  214   b . The controller U 1  may be configured to compare the first score  214   a  and the second score  214   b  to, for example, determine a winner  218  between the first and second players  212   a ,  212   b . In cooperative play, the controller U 1  may be configured to store one of the first and second scores  214   a ,  214   b  as a best cooperative score (e.g., lowest score for golf or highest score for bowling, or the like). Alternatively, the first and second scores  214   a ,  214   b  may be summed by the controller U 1  and stored as a cumulative cooperative score. 
     The selected game may include a plurality of play scenarios. Thus, where the first and second game are the same, the first game may present a first one of the plurality of play scenarios to the first player  212   a , and the second game may present a second one of the plurality of play scenarios to the second player  212   b . For competitive or cooperative play, the first and second games will preferably present the same play scenario to both players  212   a ,  212   b . For example, the plurality of play scenarios for a game of solitaire are the plurality of possible deals or “hands” that a player may be presented with. Some hands of solitaire inherently cannot be taken to completion, no matter how skilled the player. A competitive game of solitaire, where the first player  212   a  receives a completable hand and the second player  212   b  does not, presents an unfair advantage to the first player  212   a  because the second player  212   b  can never achieve the highest possible score achievable by the first player  212   a . Thus, presenting the same hand to both players  212   a ,  212   b  levels the playing field. 
     In one embodiment, the controller U 1  is configured to execute an application program that is configured to access the first and second games from the plurality of electronic games stored in the memory U 2 . The application program is also configured to simultaneously or generally simultaneously display the at least one first image  202  on the first portion  204  of the display screen  12  and the at least one second image  206  on the second portion  208  of the display screen  12 . By the term “generally simultaneously,” it will be understood that the application program is configured to display the first image  202  and the second image at the same time, with no humanly perceptible delay occurring between displaying of the first image and displaying of the second image. However, one skilled in the art would understand that a brief humanly perceptible delay may occur between displaying of the first image and displaying of the second image, as long as the first and second games may effectively be played simultaneously. 
     The application program may be a software module, or the like, which operates as a shell to execute the first and second games. Accordingly, single player games or games that do not support simultaneous multi-player functionality may be run in the shell for simultaneous competitive or cooperative play with minimal or no changes required to the game code itself. 
     In order to facilitate competitive or cooperative play, the application program is configured to retrieve data from at least one of the first and second games and display the retrieved data on a third portion  210  of the display screen  12 . The retrieved data may be, for example, player names  212   a ,  212   b , player scores  214   a ,  214   b , avatars  216   a ,  216   b , time remaining (not shown), or the like. In competitive play, for example, the application program can use and compare the scores  214   a ,  214   b  retrieved from the first and second games to determine a winner  218  among the players. Specifically, the retrieved data may include the first score  214   a  attained by the first player  212   a  of the first game and the second score  214   b  attained by the second player  212   b  of the second game, and the application program may compare the first and second scores  214   a ,  214   b  to determine a winning score based on the retrieved first and second player scores  214   a ,  214   b . Similarly, in cooperative play, for example, the application program can use the scores  214   a ,  214   b  retrieved from the first and second games and calculate and store a sum of the first and second scores. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in another embodiment, the amusement device  10  may be a part of a tournament system  300  having a plurality of amusement devices  10 . The tournament system  300  includes a plurality of tournament games playable by a plurality of players. Each tournament game generates a total player score upon completion of play. The player scores are used to determine tournament winners. The tournament games may be stored in the memory U 2  of the amusement device  10 , or may be available for download or on-line play over a network  320 . 
     Accordingly, two players may simultaneously use the amusement device  10  to compete in a tournament. At least one of the first score  214   a  and the second score  214   b  may be stored for entry into the tournament, particularly during competitive play between the players. For example, the controller U 1  may only accept the score of the winner  218 . In cooperative play, the best score between the first and second players may be selected and stored by the controller U 1  for entry into the tournament as a cooperative score. Alternatively, a sum of the first and second scores  214   a ,  214   b  may be entered into the tournament as a cooperative score among the players. 
     Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to applications other than simultaneous execution of games. For example,  FIG. 4  is a screenshot  400  from an amusement device in accordance with another preferred embodiment. An application program executed by the controller U 1  is configured to access a first game from the plurality of games stored in memory U 2 , and access a jukebox controller U 3  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). Alternatively, the jukebox controller U 3  may access the controller U 1  to run the application program. The jukebox controller U 3  is configured to select and play at least one music data set. A music data set preferably includes at least audio data required for playing a song or other audio presentation, and can be an .mp3, .wma, .wav file, or the like. Accordingly, a music data set may also include metadata, i.e., information about the song such as artist, title, album, run time, or the like. A music data set may also be a video file, such as an .mpeg, .wmv, .avi, .mov file, or the like, and thus includes at least video data required for playing a video. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , as described above, the application program displays at least one first image  402  from the first game on a first portion  404  of the display screen  12 . Generally simultaneously, the application program displays at least one second image  406  representing a jukebox control interface (for allowing player interaction with the jukebox controller U 3 ) on a second portion  408  of the display screen  12 . A player (or players) can thus generally simultaneously apply multiple touch inputs to play a game and select and play music or videos. 
     The jukebox controller U 3  is shown in  FIG. 3  as being located remotely from the amusement device  10 . Specifically, the jukebox controller U 3  may be located within a stand-alone jukebox  340  that outputs its own audio or video, wherein the amusement device  10  is connected to the jukebox  340  over the network  320  or locally (not shown). The jukebox controller U 3  may also be within a server (not shown) that provides audio or video data to the amusement device  10  to broadcast through the audio and/or video output components of the amusement device  10 . Alternatively, the jukebox controller U 3  may also be located at the amusement device  10 . It is also contemplated that the controller U 1  of the amusement device can also function as the jukebox controller U 3 . 
     As described above, it is further contemplated that more than one game may be simultaneously executed and played along with the jukebox control interface. Further, an application program is not necessarily required by the controller U 1  to perform the simultaneous display of the first game and the jukebox control interface. For example, the controller U 1  may be capable of executing the first game and the jukebox controls generally simultaneously. 
     The amusement device  10  may also include other functionality and features such as music jukebox, video jukebox, multimedia player, Internet browsing, broadcast media viewing, time based rental mode, non-prize tournaments, prize-based tournaments, head-to-head competitions, prize-based lotteries, ticket dispensing, prize dispensing, debit/credit card charging, phone card dispensing, e-mail, photography, placing customer orders, communicating with other amusement devices, and the like. 
     The amusement device  10  may also provide for remote or local access for accounting and/or bookkeeping purposes. The amusement device  10  may include a local connector for uploading to a hand-held or portable computer or removable memory for receiving accounting or other data. The amusement device  10  may include accounting and bookkeeping screens accessible by an operator through set up screens and/or through password protection. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.