Amusement devices: games – Chance devices – Rotating pointer
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-03
2001-02-13
Cheng, Joe H. (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Chance devices
Rotating pointer
C273S138100, C273S402000, C463S007000, C463S023000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186503
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of the present invention generally relates to arcade-type machines.
Numerous arcade games exist to entertain the player. Most of these games involve a combination of skill and chance. Few of these games involve only skill. For example, an arcade may contain a basketball free throw shooting machine or punching machine. Of the minority of arcade games involving skill that can be found in today's arcades, only a small percentage of these reward a player with a particular prize. The epitome of such prize dispensing machines is the stalwart crane and claw device. This machine has a supply of potential prizes over which the player maneuvers a claw, releasing the claw in an attempt to grasp the prize. If the claw successfully grasps a prize, the claw retracts with the prize and deposits the prize in a prize dispensing slot.
Arcade game players enjoy prize dispensing machines because they are rewarded for their skill. However, the reason why arcades are not replete with these machines is because the owners of arcades understand all too well such machines' deficiencies. Take for example the above-identified crane and claw device. Arcade game owners know that they will have to stock and maintain a constant supply of prizes in the game itself. Not only does this require routine upkeep, but it presents another disadvantage in that the arcade game itself must be substantially large to hold all the prizes. In the alternative, the arcade game owner may dispense tokens or tickets to the player who can exchange them at a redemption center located in the arcade itself. This requires an operator during business hours to display the prizes and merchandise and distribute them on site. Such a system increases overhead while decreasing space which could be used for more arcade games.
Furthermore, arcade game owners usually cannot manipulate the typical prize dispensing machine to increase or decrease the skill level involved. Similar to the basketball free throw shooting machine, the skill level of the crane and claw device remains fixed. An arcade game player who can exert control over a game and master it will not be challenged and will not be a repeat customer. Therefore, a variable skill level arcade game that rewards the player for his increasing expertise, with a particular prize which need not be kept on location within the arcade itself, is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an arcade-type game stamp dispensing machine that includes a clock face and an arrow assembly having an arrow rotatably supported over the clock face. An adjustable brake selectively stops rotation of the arrow assembly about the clock face, while a shaft encoder detects where the arrow has been stopped. The shaft encoder interfaces with a central processing unit board having a plurality of DIP switches. A stamp dispenser is in communication with the shaft encoder, via the central processing unit board, for dispensing different types of stamps.
The stamps are preferably serialized and bar-coded. In order to obtain a prize, the player mails the stamps to a prize distribution center located at a site different from the site of the arcade. To these ends, prizes can be distributed across state lines. In lieu of the fixed prize distribution center, prizes can also be dispensed by a prize dispensing truck. Advantageously, the owner of the stamp machine can adjust the skill level of the game in numerous ways.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved game unit and method of rewarding a player for increasing hand-eye coordination with a particular prize which need not be kept on location within the arcade. Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and annexed drawings.
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Cheng Joe H.
Hotaling John
Lyon & Lyon LLP
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