Program controlled entertainment and game apparatus

• US 5,413,357 A
• Filed: 06/30/1993
• Issued: 05/09/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NSM AG
• Original Assignee: NSM AG
• Inventors: Kuhn, Peter, Frank, Armin, Niederlein, Horst, Schulze, Ullrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/083,769
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 273/433, 273/434, 273/435, 273/436, 273/437, 273/438
• US Class Current: 463/5
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/005 characterised by the type of game, e.g. ball games, fighting games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/04 for aiming at specific areas on the displays, e.g. with photodetecting means
• 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 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• 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 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2491 with a detachable memory
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/14 Coin operated
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/142 with pay-out or rewarding with a prize
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0291 with a simulated projectile, e.g. an image on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means

Abstract

The present invention relates to a program controlled entertainment and game device which includes a housing, a display unit connected with the housing and preferably provided within the housing, operating elements associated with the housing, and a playback unit associated with the housing for a CD-I disc on which the program and data informations are stored. Preferably the entertainment and game device according to the invention is employed as a coin-operated game, merchandise dispensing machine or a skill testing device.

Claims

1. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device comprising:

a housing;

a display unit arranged within the housing;

means for receiving and verifying a coin;

operating elements associated with the housing; and

a playback unit associated with the housing for a CD-I disc on which program and data informations are stored, the playback unit being responsive to the means for receiving and verifying the coin when the coin is verified for causing the program and data informations stored on the CD-I disk to provide an entertainment function.

2. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the CD-I playback unit is connected with the housing and integrated in the housing.

3. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the CD-I playback unit has at least one associated record magazine.

4. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of CD-I playback units each having a plurality of record magazines are associated with the housing.

5. A program controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein a keyboard and/or mouse are provided as the operating elements.

6. A program controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the operating keyboard/elements are provided on the viewing screen.

7. A program controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein a joystick or a laser beam are provided as the operating elements.

8. A program controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the device has an associated operator desk.

9. A program controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein a remote control unit is provided.

10. A program controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the operating elements are configured to be voice controlled.

11. A program controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a display screen which has an associated operating desk that is connected with the device.

12. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein a device is provided by means of which at least individual regions of the display can be selected under the control of a computer and can be displayed in an enlarged or reduced format.

13. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 12, wherein it is possible to display several displays simultaneously on the display unit.

14. A program controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein a selection device is provided by means of which instrument functions associated with the display elements can be selected for further operation of the device.

15. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for receiving and verifying a coin further provides for return of a coin.

16. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the CD-I disc is exchangeable.

17. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 16, further comprising rotary discs or rollers.

18. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 17, wherein, if already won winnings are wagered whose loss would increase the risk, the device includes a risk scale that can be displayed on the display unit and is composed of a plurality of indicator units for displaying individual winnings.

19. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 17, further comprising a plurality of wagering devices between which a player is able to jump back and forth under control of a keyboard or by software on the CD-I disc.

20. A program controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a special game device.

21. A program controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a playback unit having a separate display field which, if a random or predetermined event occurs, highlights that event optically, with at least the riskable winnings next to the highlighted winnings being realizable under control of the game without danger of a loss.

22. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a selection device providing that subsequent game operation can be performed at selected game elements and the selected game elements are shown by an enlarged scale.

23. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein the device dispenses merchandise, the merchandise being contained in software on the CD-I and is offered at certain score values and is dispensed according to the score obtained.

24. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein different time, magnitude, recognition and/or memory phases are interactively displayed in different skill stages by way of access to software contained in the CD-I disc.

25. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 24, wherein the device is configured as a firing simulator in which the display unit includes a viewing screen serving as a firing field and a camera connected with a memory and evaluation unit, with said camera scanning the visible hits created on the screen by an optical firearm.

26. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 25, wherein a display of an evaluation by the evaluation unit is provided simultaneously with the firing field.

27. A program-controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 24, further comprising an evaluation unit for playing with a plurality of players in such a manner that an evaluation display of a respective player and/or of all players is displayed.

28. A program controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein it is additionally configured as an information terminal for display of information for user guidance, a city map, or direction signs.

29. A program controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of devices are interconnected into networked groups.

30. A program controlled coin-operated entertainment and game device as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of devices are connected with a common, central coin processing device.