AMUSEMENT DEVICE HAVING ELECTRONIC GAME AND JUKEBOX FUNCTIONALITIES

• US 20090075726A1
• Filed: 09/17/2008
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AMI Entertainment Network, LLC
• Original Assignee: Merit Industries Incorporated (AMI Entertainment Network, LLC)
• Inventors: Weyer, Nathan, Layne, William L. IV, Higbie, Colin, Stelzer, James R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,353,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

An amusement device has a display, an audio output, and an input component. The display includes a touchscreen. The input component receives at least one of currency, coins, and credit cards/debit cards. The amusement device also includes a common controller. The common controller is configured to select and play at least one electronic game and to select and retrieve for playing a music data set from a plurality of music data sets. The electronic game and the music data set may optionally be played simultaneously. In certain embodiments, a reward based on one of either the electronic game or selection of the music data set is applied to the respective other of the electronic game and the selection of the music data. In further embodiments, a content of the electronic game is based on the music data set.

Claims

1. An amusement device comprising:

(a) a display having a touchscreen;

(b) an input component for receiving at least one of currency, coins, and credit cards/debit cards;

(c) an audio output; and

(d) a common controller being configured to;

(i) select and play at least one electronic game, and

(ii) select and retrieve for playing a music data set from a plurality of music data sets.

2. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein the music data set is streamed to the controller.

3. The amusement device of claim 2, wherein the music data set is not played until a specified portion of the music data set is downloaded to the controller.

4. The amusement device of claim 3, wherein the specified portion of the music data set is one of

(i) set by an operator,

(ii) dynamically adjusted based on a current download rate and prior downloads, and

(iii) a combination of (i) and (ii).

5. The amusement device of claim 2, wherein interruption of the stream of the music data set causes one or more unplayed song credits to be returned to a user of the amusement device.

6. The amusement device of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to play only one of the at least one electronic game and the music data set at a time.

7. The amusement device of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to play the at least one electronic game and the music data set simultaneously.

8. The amusement device of claim 2, wherein a reward based on the at least one electronic game is applied toward selection of one or more music data sets.

9. The amusement device of claim 2, wherein a reward based on selection of one or more music data sets is applied toward the at least one electronic game.

10. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein the music data set is entirely downloaded to the controller.

11. The amusement device of claim 10, wherein interruption of the music data set download causes one or more unplayed song credits to be returned to a user of the amusement device.

12. The amusement device of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to play only one of the at least one electronic game and the music data set at a time.

13. The amusement device of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to play the at least one electronic game and the music data set simultaneously.

14. The amusement device of claim 10, wherein a reward based on the at least one electronic game is applied toward selection of one or more music data sets.

15. The amusement device of claim 10, wherein a reward based on selection of one or more music data sets is applied toward the at least one electronic game.

16. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one electronic game and the music data set is stored remotely and is retrieved by the controller over one of a wide area network and a local area network.

17. The amusement device of claim 16, wherein the music data set is stored on one of a central server and a second amusement device.

18. The amusement device of claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to play only one of the at least one electronic game and the music data set at a time.

19. The amusement device of claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to play the at least one electronic game and the music data set simultaneously.

20. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein the audio output is housed by the amusement device.

21. The amusement device of claim 20, wherein the audio output includes an amplifier and at least one speaker.

22. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein a content of the at least one electronic game is based on the music data set.

23. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein the audio output is remote from the amusement device.

24. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein the audio output is configured to connect to one of an amplified sound system, headphones, and at least one speaker.

25. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to perform at least one of selecting and playing a video file, browsing the Internet, sending electronic mail, placing orders, and communicating with other amusement devices.

26. A method of playing an amusement device, the amusement device having a display, an audio output, and an input component for receiving at least one of currency, coins, and credit cards/debit cards, the method comprising:

(a) selecting and playing, by a common controller of the amusement device, at least one electronic game; and

(b) selecting and retrieving for playing, by the common controller of the amusement device, a music data set from a plurality of music data sets.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the at least one electronic game and the music data set are played simultaneously.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein selecting and retrieving a music data set from a plurality of music data sets includes retrieving the music data set from a remote location over one of a wide area network and a local area network.

29. An amusement device comprising:

(a) a display having a touchscreen;

(b) an input component for receiving at least one of currency, coins, and credit cards/debit cards;

(c) an audio output; and

(d) a common controller being configured to;

(i) select and play at least one electronic game, and

(ii) select, retrieve, and play a music data set from a plurality of music data sets.