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

• US 7,749,083 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2004
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Peter DungBa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ahmed; Masud
• Application Number:
  US10/845,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20040209686A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,244 Days
• Field of Search: 463/35, 463/41, 463/25, 463/42, 705 26- 27, 709218-219
• US Class Current: 463/42
• 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. 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 located remote from the electronic jukebox;

wherein the electronic game machine is operable to select and receive payment for at least one selection stored on the electronic jukebox, said selection being playable from and on the electronic jukebox, the operation of the electronic game of selecting and receiving payment for selections on the electronic jukebox being triggered by an activation circuit being configured to function as an interface to the electronic jukebox, and

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.

2. A communication device according to claim 1 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.

3. A communication device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic jukebox is operable to communicate with a remote centralized server.

4. A communication device according to claim 1, wherein each electronic game machine comprises a memory for storing information regarding utilization of the electronic game machine.

5. A communication device according to claim 1, 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.

6. A method of communicating between an electronic jukebox and at least one electronic game machine located remote from the electronic jukebox, the method comprising:

activating a management module of an electronic game machine to change an original operating mode of the electronic game machine to a second mode configured to implement a process comprising;

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 and receive payment for the musical selection, such that the electronic game machine functions as an interface to the electronic jukebox;

receiving input corresponding to the musical selection;

receiving payment for the musical selection made; and

playing back the selection made from and on the electronic jukebox.

7. A method of communication according to claim 6, wherein the receiving payment further 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.

8. A method of communication according to claim 7, wherein the 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.

9. A method of communication according to claim 6 further comprising updating said at least one electronic game machine, the 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.

10. A method of communication according to claim 6 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.