ELECTRONIC VALUE-OPERATED AND BATTERY POWERED PORTABLE AMUSEMENT DEVICE

• US 20080200257A1
• Filed: 02/19/2008
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Merit Industries Incorporated (AMI Entertainment Network, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Merit Industries Incorporated (AMI Entertainment Network, LLC)
• Inventors: Stelzer, James R.
• Application Number:
  US12/033,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20080200257A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5586 for enforcing rights or rules, e.g. to prevent foul play
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3206 Player sensing means, e.g. presence detection, biometrics
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00

Abstract

A portable amusement device has a display and is configured to operate at least one electronic game. The portable amusement device is operated by a touchscreen and includes a battery and a currency input. The portable amusement device is operable by a user upon receipt by the currency input of at least one of coins, currency, a credit card/debit card, and a Personal Identification Number (PIN). An amusement system includes a portable amusement device configured to operate at least one electronic game and having a display, a touchscreen, and a battery. The system also includes a docking station configured to receive the portable amusement device. The docking station includes a currency input. The portable amusement device is removable from the docking station only upon receipt by the currency input of at least one of coins, currency, a credit card/debit card, and a PIN.

Claims

1. A portable amusement device having a display and being configured to operate at least one electronic game, the amusement device comprising:

(a) a touchscreen on the display for operating the portable amusement device;

(b) a battery; and

(c) a currency input, the portable amusement device being operable by a user upon receipt by the currency input of at least one of coins, currency, a credit card/debit card, and a Personal Identification Number (PIN).

2. The portable amusement device of claim 1, further comprising an anti-theft system.

3. The portable amusement device of claim 2, wherein the anti-theft system sounds an alert when the device is outside of a predefined area.

4. The portable amusement device of claim 2, wherein the anti-theft system deactivates the device when the device is outside of a predefined area.

5. The portable amusement device of claim 1, further comprising at least one communication port.

6. The portable amusement device of claim 5, wherein the at least one communication port is a Universal Serial Bus (USB).

7. The portable amusement device of claim 1, wherein the currency input is one of a magnetic stripe reader, a paper money slot, a coin slot, and a keypad.

8. The portable amusement device of claim 1, wherein the device is a thin client communicating to at least one of a local server and an internet server.

9. The portable amusement device of claim 1, wherein the device has Global Postitioning System (GPS) location capability.

10. The portable amusement device of claim 1, wherein the device communicates wirelessly.

11. The portable amusement device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to select music to be played on a local music system.

12. The portable amusement device of claim 1, wherein at least one of music and video is selectable and playable on the device.

13. The portable amusement device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to order food.

14. The portable amusement device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to browse the internet.

15. The portable amusement device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader, a bar code reader, and a digital camera.

16. The portable amusement device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured for at least one of messaging and voice communication.

17. The portable amusement device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured for at least one of head-to-head, cooperative, and tournament play.

18. The portable amusement device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to alert the user that a table is available for seating.

19. The portable amusement device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to provide to the user information regarding at least one of a position of the user in a queue for being seated at a table and an estimated time before a table will be available for seating.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the currency input is one of a magnetic stripe reader, a paper money slot, a coin slot, and a keypad.

20. A system for providing entertainment to a user, the system comprising:

(a) a portable amusement device configured to operate at least one electronic game, the device including a display, a touchscreen, and a battery; and

(b) a docking station configured to receive the portable device, the docking station including a currency input, the device being removable from the docking station only upon receipt by the currency input of at least one of coins, currency, a credit card/debit card, and a Personal Identification Number (PIN).