Communication device and method between an audiovisual information playback system and an electronic game machine

• US 20040209686A1
• Filed: 05/14/2004
• Published: 10/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nathan, Guy, Mastronardi, Tony, Choquet, Alain
• Granted Patent: US 7,749,083 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/35
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/814 Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/247 audible, e.g. using a loudspeaker
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/305 for record players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3253 involving articles, e.g. paying in bottles, paying out toys

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication device between an audiovisual information playback system (1) and at least one electronic game machine (2), each electronic game machine comprising a viewing means (200), a means (210) for interacting with the user and a means of payment (220), characterized in that each electronic game machine (2) is connected to the playback system (2) via a network interface (21) and an associated LAN (3), and comprises specific means (20, 21, 22) for managing a means of payment, a viewing means and an interactive means, in order to enable, on the electronic game machine (2), the selection and payment of at least one selection stored on the playback system (2), with a view to playback thereof on the playback system, the specific means (22) of managing payment means and the specific means (21) of managing viewing means and the interactive means being triggered by the activation means of the electronic game machine (2).

Claims

1-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A communications device for providing communications between an electronic jukebox and at least one electronic game machine, the communications device comprising:

a communications module interface providing a communications interface between the electronic jukebox and at least one electronic game machine; and

the electronic game machine being operable to select and pay for at least one selection stored on the electronic jukebox, said selection being intended to be played back on the electronic jukebox, the operation of the electronic game to select and pay for selections on the electronic jukebox being triggered by an activation circuit.

13. A communication device according to claim 12, wherein the electronic jukebox comprises a communication circuit operable with the communication interface of each electronic game machine;

and a module for managing messages coming from each electronic game machine.

14. A communication device according to claim 12 wherein each electronic game machine comprises an identification module that enables an electronic jukebox with which the electronic game machine is communicating to differentiate between the electronic game machines in communication with the electronic jukebox.

15. A communication device according to claim 12, wherein the electronic jukebox is operable to communicate with a remote centralized server.

16. A communication device according to claim 12, wherein each electronic game machine comprises a memory for storing information regarding utilization of the electronic game machine.

17. A communication device according to claim 12, wherein a payment management module is operable to calculate an amount available to pay for songs from at least one of:

a sum of money inserted by the user into the electronic game machine, from a residual sum of money inserted into the game machine before triggering of the payment management module, and from a number of points accumulated before triggering the activation circuit.

18. A method of communicating between an electronic jukebox and at least one electronic game machine, the method comprising:

activating a management module of an electronic game machine to change an original operating mode of the electronic game machine implementing the following steps;

setting up a connection between the electronic jukebox and the electronic game machine;

transferring graphic screens from the electronic jukebox to the electronic game machine to prompt a user to make a musical selection or to trigger a payment step;

making the musical selection;

paying for the musical selection made; and

playing back, by means of the electronic jukebox, the selection made.

19. A method of communication according to claim 18, wherein the step of paying for the musical selection comprises:

calculating an amount available from a remaining amount unused by the game machine and a sum of money inserted into a payment module of the game machine by the user; and

selection and validation by the user of a payment rule to determine a number of selections to be chosen.

20. A method of communication according to claim 19, wherein the step of calculating comprises converting a number of game points accumulated during use of the game machine in accordance with an original operation mode of the game machine, into the amount available for paying for the musical selection.

21. A method of communication according to claim 18 further comprising a step of updating said at least one electronic game machine, the step of updating comprising:

transferring update information regarding said at least one given electronic game machine from a remote server onto the electronic jukebox connected to the server;

setting up a connection between the electronic jukebox and each said given electronic game machine; and

sending said update information on each given electronic game machine.

22. A method of communication according to claim 18 further comprising:

storing on each said electronic game machine information relating to utilization of the electronic game machine; and

transferring information regarding the utilization of the electronic game machines to the electronic jukebox, then from the electronic jukebox to a remote server.