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Apparatus and method for dispensing prizes

  • US 6,843,720 B2
  • Filed: 01/24/2001
  • Issued: 01/18/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for awarding prizes, the system comprising:

  • (A) at least one gaming device, the gaming device adapted to allow a player to place a wager, display a game, and produce at least a first predetermined prize qualifying event;

    (B) at least one prize housing, the prize housing comprising;

    (a) a plurality of walls defining a cavity, at least a portion of the cavity being viewable from outside the prize housing;

    (b) a plurality of prizes inside the cavity, at least a portion of the prizes being viewable from outside the prize housing;

    (c) a plurality of prize containers, each prize being held in a prize container;

    (d) a door coupled to the housing, the door limiting access to the cavity when in a closed position; and

    (e) a lock coupled to the door and configured to selectively secure the door in a closed position;

    (C) a prize dispensing mechanism coupled to the housing and configured to dispense prizes from the cavity to the player;

    (D) a processor in communication with the prize dispensing mechanism;

    (E) an inventory sensor in communication with the processor, the inventory sensor adapted to communicate information related to the number of prize containers in the cavity to the processor;

    (F) a player input device in communication with the processor, wherein when the first predetermined prize qualifying event occurs, the player may select a prize from the first plurality of prizes using the player input device, the prize dispenser then dispensing to the player a prize container containing the selected prize.

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