US20080102961A1 - Amusement device shared resource system and method - Google Patents
Amusement device shared resource system and method Download PDFInfo
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- US20080102961A1 US20080102961A1 US11/965,234 US96523407A US2008102961A1 US 20080102961 A1 US20080102961 A1 US 20080102961A1 US 96523407 A US96523407 A US 96523407A US 2008102961 A1 US2008102961 A1 US 2008102961A1
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- Prior art keywords
- amusement device
- shared resource
- amusement
- controller
- devices
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
- A63F13/31—Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
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- A63F13/12—
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
- A63F13/21—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
- A63F13/214—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads
- A63F13/2145—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
- A63F13/21—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
- A63F13/215—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
- A63F13/32—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using local area network [LAN] connections
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
- A63F13/33—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using wide area network [WAN] connections
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
- A63F2300/1068—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals being specially adapted to detect the point of contact of the player on a surface, e.g. floor mat, touch pad
- A63F2300/1075—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals being specially adapted to detect the point of contact of the player on a surface, e.g. floor mat, touch pad using a touch screen
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/40—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of platform network
- A63F2300/402—Communication between platforms, i.e. physical link to protocol
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to an amusement device sharing system and, more particularly, relates to an amusement device shared resource system for sharing a shared resource device between a plurality of amusement devices.
- Amusement devices such as game machines, which allow a user to select games from a video display are well known in the art such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,856,787 (Itkis); 5,575,717 (Houriet, Jr. et al.); 5,743,799 (Houriet, Jr. et al.), the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein, each of which shows a touchscreen display for making a game selection from a menu of games.
- Such game machines or amusement devices typically operate upon input of currency (i.e., coin, token, paper money, credit/debit cards and the like) and are installed in bars, restaurants, airports, shopping malls, video arcades and the like.
- currency i.e., coin, token, paper money, credit/debit cards and the like
- the game choices may include card games, sports games, games of skill, games of chance, action games, trivia games and the like.
- such games are configured to be played either against another competitor or in a competition or tournament.
- the games machines are connected either peer to peer by a direct cable connection or on a hardwired network, such as a hardwired local area network (LAN), allowing a player at one game machine to play against a competitor at a different game machine or to participate in a competition or tournament that tracks players at a plurality of game machines and possibly at a plurality of locations.
- LAN local area network
- the present invention comprises an amusement device system including a first amusement device having a controller and a memory, a shared resource device operatively connected to the first amusement device and a second amusement device having a controller and a memory.
- the second amusement device is in communication with the first amusement device and is configured to access and control the shared resource device through the first amusement device.
- the present invention also comprises a method of controlling a shared resource in a network system of amusement devices.
- the network system includes at least a first amusement device having a controller and a memory, a shared resource device operatively connected to the first amusement device and a second amusement device having a controller and a memory.
- the second amusement device is in communication with the first amusement device and is configured to access and control the shared resource device through the first amusement device.
- the method includes using the second amusement device controller to make a request that the first amusement device controller run a terminal server software application.
- the terminal server software application is configured to accept commands to control the inputs/outputs (I/O) of the first amusement device controller.
- the method further includes controlling the shared resource device using the second amusement device controller by commanding the I/O of the first amusement device using the terminal server application.
- the present invention comprises an amusement device system including a first amusement device having a controller and a memory, a shared resource device operatively connected to the first amusement device and a second amusement device having a controller and a memory.
- the controller of the first amusement device is configured to run a terminal server software application and the terminal server application is configured to accept commands to control the I/O of the first amusement device controller.
- the second amusement device is in communication with the first amusement device and is configured to access and control the shared resource device through the first amusement device.
- the first amusement device controller is configured to run terminal server application upon the request of the second amusement device controller.
- the second amusement device controller thereby controls the shared resource device by commanding the I/O of the first amusement device using the terminal server application and all data processing for controlling the shared resource while the terminal server application is running and occurs in the second amusement device controller and memory.
- the present invention is an amusement device system comprising a first amusement device having a controller and a memory, a first shared resource device operatively connected to the first amusement device and a second amusement device having a controller and a memory.
- the second amusement device is in communication with the first amusement device and is configured to access and control the first shared resource device through the first amusement device.
- the amusement device system also includes a second shared resource device operatively connected to the second amusement device.
- the first amusement device is in communication with the second amusement device and is configured to access and control the second shared resource device through the second amusement device.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an amusement device shared resource system in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an amusement device shared resource system in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a third preferred embodiment of an amusement device shared resource system in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary video jukebox for use with the first preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary amusement device for use with the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3 .
- FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of an amusement device shared resource system 10 in accordance with the present invention.
- the amusement device system includes a first amusement device 11 having a controller U 1 and a memory U 2 .
- the amusement device system 10 further includes a shared resource device 13 such a touchscreen video display device type shared resource which is operatively connected to the first amusement device 11 .
- the amusement device system further includes a second amusement device 12 also having a controller U 3 and a memory U 4 .
- the second amusement device 12 is in communication with the first amusement device and is configured to access and control the shared resource device 13 through the first amusement device 11 .
- the shared resource 13 can be any one of a modem, a printer, a currency accepter, a magnetic card reader, a video display or other input device.
- Other input devices which may be a shared resource device 13 include a trac-ball, a mouse, a voice recognition system, a keypad, a keyboard and the like.
- the system includes a first amusement device 11 , which in the present case is a video game controller having a touchscreen video display device shared resource.
- the touchscreen video display device 13 is directly connected to the first amusement device 11 .
- the amusement device shared resource system 10 further includes a communications hub 18 such as an Ethernet hub or switch and a second amusement device 12 .
- the second amusement device 12 which in the present case is a music source such as a “digital jukebox.”
- the first amusement device 11 is a stand-alone computer system having a microprocessor U 1 , a memory U 2 , a communications driver (not labeled) and touchscreen video (not labeled) display driver (not labeled).
- the second amusement device 12 is also a stand-alone computer system having a microprocessor U 3 , a memory U 5 and a communications driver (not labeled).
- the second amusement device 12 does not have its own video display device or any other input device.
- the touchscreen display video device shared resource 13 is directly attached to first amusement device 11 and is configured to be accessed by the second amusement device 12 through the communications hub 18 .
- the touchscreen video display device shared resource 13 includes a screen 18 ( FIG. 4 ) having an access software button SB to the second amusement device 12 such that when a user presses the access software button SB, a terminal server (or “term serv”) software application is initiated on both the first amusement device 11 and the second amusement device 12 .
- the second amusement device 12 then functions as a master controller to the first amusement device 11 taking over the shared resource 13 in this case, the touchscreen video display device shared resource 13 .
- the user can then access all the features and functionality of the second amusement device 12 through the touchscreen video display shared resource 13 that is physically and electrically connected directly to the first amusement device 11 .
- the first amusement device 11 in this embodiment functions as a “dumb terminal” or pass-through device, and the second amusement device 12 acts as the master.
- the first amusement device 11 (the video game controller), the second amusement device 12 (the music source), the touchscreen video display device shared resource 13 and the communications hub 18 are all disposed in a single housing forming a video jukebox 26 ( FIG. 4 ).
- the communications hub 18 need not be a separate device external to the first and second amusement devices 11 , 12 , but instead may merely be an additional communications port (i.e., a gateway) in either the first or second amusement device 11 , 12 .
- the communications hub provides a network to a plurality of amusement devices 14 , 15 , 16 , n each having their own dedicated touchscreen video display device shared resource 17 (phantom in FIG. 1 with amusement device 14 ), such as shown with amusement device 14 in FIG. 5 , which allows access to the second amusement device 12 via the communications hub 18 as described above regarding the first amusement device 11 .
- a user in a location that is remote from the video jukebox 26 can use the touchscreen video display device shared resource 13 .
- a user in one end of a building using the touchscreen video display device shared resource 17 of the third amusement device 14 can access the second amusement device 12 (the music source) and use the functions of the second amusement device 12 which is located at another end of the building or on a separate floor in the building.
- the second amusement device 12 (the music source) may have a large capacity of stored music files such as MP3 files and the like, and the second amusement device 12 can be directly connected to an audio amplifier 20 and speakers 22 a , 22 b .
- a user can select one of the music files to play on the second amusement device 12 from any of the amusement devices 11 , 14 , 15 , 16 and n to the audio amplifier 20 .
- the amusement device system 10 also includes a second shared resource device 17 operatively connected to the third amusement device 14 .
- the second amusement device 12 is in communication with the third amusement device 14 and is configured to access and control the second shared resource device 17 through the third amusement device 14 .
- the amusement device system 10 also includes a third amusement device shared resource 30 (phantom in FIG. 1 connected to the fourth amusement device 15 ), or in this case a modem shared resource device 30 .
- the fourth amusement device 15 is in communication with the first, second and third amusement devices 11 , 12 and 14 and the first, second and third amusement devices 11 , 12 and 14 are also in communication with each other.
- the first amusement device 11 can access and control the modem shared resource 30 through the third amusement device while simultaneously the second amusement device 12 can access the first or second amusement device shared resource 13 , 17 .
- any combination of shared resource devices 13 , 17 , 30 may be linked to any number of amusement devices 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 , n.
- a single amusement device 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 , or n may include a plurality of shared resource devices 13 , 17 , 30 which are individually or in combination selectively accessed by another or a plurality of other amusement devices 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 .
- FIG. 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of an amusement device shared resource system 110 wherein the second amusement device 12 (the music source) is a separate, standalone entity remotely mounted away from the first amusement device 11 (a video game controller). Similar to the embodiment described above in FIG. 1 , any of the Amusement Devices Nos. 1 and 3 -n can access the second amusement device 12 (the music source) via the communications hub 18 .
- the communications platform connecting the amusement devices 11 , 14 , 15 , 16 and n may be Ethernet, wireless (RF, IR, etc.), power line, superimposed telephone line, and the like.
- any combination of shared resource devices 13 , 17 , 30 may be linked to any number of amusement devices 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 , n. Further, it is contemplated that a single amusement device 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 , or n may include a plurality of shared resource devices 13 , 17 , 30 which are individually or in combination selectively accessed by another or a plurality of other amusement devices 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 .
- FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of an Amusement Device Shared Resource System 210 .
- the first amusement device 11 (a video game controller) also includes a modem shared resource 30 which is directly connected thereto or embedded therein.
- Any of the amusement devices Nos. 2 -n in addition to the first amusement device 11 , can access the modem shared resource through the communications platform and communications hub by using a terminal server application running on both controllers.
- the second amusement device 12 the music source
- the second amusement device 12 executes a terminal server application and becomes a master taking over the first amusement device 11 and then utilizes the modem shared resource 30 to access the dial-up source over the phone line 32 .
- a single site having such an amusement device shared resource system 210 requires only one modem shared resource 30 for the entire network. Additionally, first amusement device 11 which is directly connected to the modem shared resource 30 does not have to have additional overhead and code other than the terminal serve application for the other amusement devices 12 , 14 and n to access the modem shared resource 30 .
- the present invention comprises an amusement device shared resource system and method therefor. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Abstract
An amusement device system includes a first amusement device having a controller and a memory, a shared resource device operatively connected to the first amusement device and a second amusement device having a controller and a memory. The second amusement device is in communication with the first amusement device and is configured to access and control the shared resource device through the first amusement device.
Description
- This Application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/663,456, filed Sep. 16, 2003, entitled, “Amusement Device Shared Resource System and Method.”
- The present invention relates generally to an amusement device sharing system and, more particularly, relates to an amusement device shared resource system for sharing a shared resource device between a plurality of amusement devices. Amusement devices, such as game machines, which allow a user to select games from a video display are well known in the art such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,856,787 (Itkis); 5,575,717 (Houriet, Jr. et al.); 5,743,799 (Houriet, Jr. et al.), the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein, each of which shows a touchscreen display for making a game selection from a menu of games. Such game machines or amusement devices typically operate upon input of currency (i.e., coin, token, paper money, credit/debit cards and the like) and are installed in bars, restaurants, airports, shopping malls, video arcades and the like. The game choices may include card games, sports games, games of skill, games of chance, action games, trivia games and the like.
- In some instances, such games are configured to be played either against another competitor or in a competition or tournament. In more advanced systems, the games machines are connected either peer to peer by a direct cable connection or on a hardwired network, such as a hardwired local area network (LAN), allowing a player at one game machine to play against a competitor at a different game machine or to participate in a competition or tournament that tracks players at a plurality of game machines and possibly at a plurality of locations.
- Often, such game machine systems installed in one location or a location with multiple areas, floors or rooms requires that network cabling or other network communication systems, in addition to the power supply cabling, be run between game machines and/or to network hubs, routers, modems and/or gateways and the like.
- What is needed but not presently provided by the prior art devices is an amusement device system capable of sharing a resource over a communication system.
- Briefly stated, the present invention comprises an amusement device system including a first amusement device having a controller and a memory, a shared resource device operatively connected to the first amusement device and a second amusement device having a controller and a memory. The second amusement device is in communication with the first amusement device and is configured to access and control the shared resource device through the first amusement device. The present invention also comprises a method of controlling a shared resource in a network system of amusement devices. The network system includes at least a first amusement device having a controller and a memory, a shared resource device operatively connected to the first amusement device and a second amusement device having a controller and a memory. The second amusement device is in communication with the first amusement device and is configured to access and control the shared resource device through the first amusement device. The method includes using the second amusement device controller to make a request that the first amusement device controller run a terminal server software application. The terminal server software application is configured to accept commands to control the inputs/outputs (I/O) of the first amusement device controller. The method further includes controlling the shared resource device using the second amusement device controller by commanding the I/O of the first amusement device using the terminal server application.
- In another aspect, the present invention comprises an amusement device system including a first amusement device having a controller and a memory, a shared resource device operatively connected to the first amusement device and a second amusement device having a controller and a memory. The controller of the first amusement device is configured to run a terminal server software application and the terminal server application is configured to accept commands to control the I/O of the first amusement device controller. The second amusement device is in communication with the first amusement device and is configured to access and control the shared resource device through the first amusement device. The first amusement device controller is configured to run terminal server application upon the request of the second amusement device controller. The second amusement device controller thereby controls the shared resource device by commanding the I/O of the first amusement device using the terminal server application and all data processing for controlling the shared resource while the terminal server application is running and occurs in the second amusement device controller and memory.
- In yet another aspect, the present invention is an amusement device system comprising a first amusement device having a controller and a memory, a first shared resource device operatively connected to the first amusement device and a second amusement device having a controller and a memory. The second amusement device is in communication with the first amusement device and is configured to access and control the first shared resource device through the first amusement device. The amusement device system also includes a second shared resource device operatively connected to the second amusement device. The first amusement device is in communication with the second amusement device and is configured to access and control the second shared resource device through the second amusement device.
- The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
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FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an amusement device shared resource system in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an amusement device shared resource system in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a third preferred embodiment of an amusement device shared resource system in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary video jukebox for use with the first preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 1 ; and -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary amusement device for use with the preferred embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-3 . - In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout. Referring to the drawings in detail,
FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of an amusement device sharedresource system 10 in accordance with the present invention. The amusement device system includes afirst amusement device 11 having a controller U1 and a memory U2. Theamusement device system 10 further includes a sharedresource device 13 such a touchscreen video display device type shared resource which is operatively connected to thefirst amusement device 11. The amusement device system further includes asecond amusement device 12 also having a controller U3 and a memory U4. Thesecond amusement device 12 is in communication with the first amusement device and is configured to access and control the sharedresource device 13 through thefirst amusement device 11. While described in this example as being a touchscreen video display device type sharedresource 13, the sharedresource 13 can be any one of a modem, a printer, a currency accepter, a magnetic card reader, a video display or other input device. Other input devices which may be a sharedresource device 13 include a trac-ball, a mouse, a voice recognition system, a keypad, a keyboard and the like. - The system includes a
first amusement device 11, which in the present case is a video game controller having a touchscreen video display device shared resource. The touchscreenvideo display device 13 is directly connected to thefirst amusement device 11. The amusement device sharedresource system 10 further includes acommunications hub 18 such as an Ethernet hub or switch and asecond amusement device 12. Thesecond amusement device 12, which in the present case is a music source such as a “digital jukebox.” Thefirst amusement device 11 is a stand-alone computer system having a microprocessor U1, a memory U2, a communications driver (not labeled) and touchscreen video (not labeled) display driver (not labeled). Likewise, thesecond amusement device 12 is also a stand-alone computer system having a microprocessor U3, a memory U5 and a communications driver (not labeled). Thesecond amusement device 12 does not have its own video display device or any other input device. As configured, the touchscreen display video device sharedresource 13 is directly attached tofirst amusement device 11 and is configured to be accessed by thesecond amusement device 12 through thecommunications hub 18. For example, the touchscreen video display device sharedresource 13 includes a screen 18 (FIG. 4 ) having an access software button SB to thesecond amusement device 12 such that when a user presses the access software button SB, a terminal server (or “term serv”) software application is initiated on both thefirst amusement device 11 and thesecond amusement device 12. Thesecond amusement device 12 then functions as a master controller to thefirst amusement device 11 taking over the sharedresource 13 in this case, the touchscreen video display device sharedresource 13. The user can then access all the features and functionality of thesecond amusement device 12 through the touchscreen video display sharedresource 13 that is physically and electrically connected directly to thefirst amusement device 11. Thefirst amusement device 11 in this embodiment functions as a “dumb terminal” or pass-through device, and thesecond amusement device 12 acts as the master. As shown, the first amusement device 11 (the video game controller), the second amusement device 12 (the music source), the touchscreen video display device sharedresource 13 and thecommunications hub 18 are all disposed in a single housing forming a video jukebox 26 (FIG. 4 ). It is transparent to the user that there are first andsecond amusement devices video jukebox apparatus 26. However, thecommunications hub 18 need not be a separate device external to the first andsecond amusement devices second amusement device - In an alternate of the embodiment of
FIG. 1 , the communications hub provides a network to a plurality ofamusement devices FIG. 1 with amusement device 14), such as shown withamusement device 14 inFIG. 5 , which allows access to thesecond amusement device 12 via thecommunications hub 18 as described above regarding thefirst amusement device 11. Thus, a user in a location that is remote from thevideo jukebox 26 can use the touchscreen video display device sharedresource 13. For example, a user in one end of a building using the touchscreen video display device sharedresource 17 of thethird amusement device 14 can access the second amusement device 12 (the music source) and use the functions of thesecond amusement device 12 which is located at another end of the building or on a separate floor in the building. The second amusement device 12 (the music source) may have a large capacity of stored music files such as MP3 files and the like, and thesecond amusement device 12 can be directly connected to anaudio amplifier 20 andspeakers second amusement device 12 from any of theamusement devices audio amplifier 20. - In another alternate of the first preferred embodiment, the
amusement device system 10 also includes a second sharedresource device 17 operatively connected to thethird amusement device 14. Thesecond amusement device 12 is in communication with thethird amusement device 14 and is configured to access and control the second sharedresource device 17 through thethird amusement device 14. Additionally, theamusement device system 10 also includes a third amusement device shared resource 30 (phantom inFIG. 1 connected to the fourth amusement device 15), or in this case a modem sharedresource device 30. Thefourth amusement device 15 is in communication with the first, second andthird amusement devices third amusement devices first amusement device 11 can access and control the modem sharedresource 30 through the third amusement device while simultaneously thesecond amusement device 12 can access the first or second amusement device sharedresource resource devices amusement devices single amusement device resource devices other amusement devices -
FIG. 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of an amusement device sharedresource system 110 wherein the second amusement device 12 (the music source) is a separate, standalone entity remotely mounted away from the first amusement device 11 (a video game controller). Similar to the embodiment described above inFIG. 1 , any of the Amusement Devices Nos. 1 and 3-n can access the second amusement device 12 (the music source) via thecommunications hub 18. The communications platform connecting theamusement devices resource devices amusement devices single amusement device resource devices other amusement devices -
FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of an Amusement DeviceShared Resource System 210. In the third embodiment, the first amusement device 11 (a video game controller) also includes a modem sharedresource 30 which is directly connected thereto or embedded therein. Any of the amusement devices Nos. 2-n, in addition to thefirst amusement device 11, can access the modem shared resource through the communications platform and communications hub by using a terminal server application running on both controllers. For example, if the second amusement device 12 (the music source), requires access to a dial-up source to download additional music, thesecond amusement device 12 executes a terminal server application and becomes a master taking over thefirst amusement device 11 and then utilizes the modem sharedresource 30 to access the dial-up source over thephone line 32. Accordingly, a single site having such an amusement device sharedresource system 210 requires only one modem sharedresource 30 for the entire network. Additionally,first amusement device 11 which is directly connected to the modem sharedresource 30 does not have to have additional overhead and code other than the terminal serve application for theother amusement devices resource 30. - From the foregoing it can be seen that the present invention comprises an amusement device shared resource system and method therefor. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (1)
1. A digital jukebox comprising:
a controller and a memory, the digital jukebox being configured to communicate with a first amusement device operatively connected to a shared resource device, the digital jukebox being configured to access the shared resource device through the first amusement device, the controller of the digital jukebox being configured to control the shared resource device by commanding inputs/outputs of a controller of the first amusement device.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/965,234 US20080102961A1 (en) | 2003-09-16 | 2007-12-27 | Amusement device shared resource system and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US10/663,456 US7314412B2 (en) | 2003-09-16 | 2003-09-16 | Amusement device shared resource system and method |
US11/965,234 US20080102961A1 (en) | 2003-09-16 | 2007-12-27 | Amusement device shared resource system and method |
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US11/965,234 Abandoned US20080102961A1 (en) | 2003-09-16 | 2007-12-27 | Amusement device shared resource system and method |
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US10/663,456 Expired - Fee Related US7314412B2 (en) | 2003-09-16 | 2003-09-16 | Amusement device shared resource system and method |
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Cited By (1)
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US20090075726A1 (en) * | 2007-09-17 | 2009-03-19 | Merit Industries, Inc. | Amusement device having electronic game and jukebox functionalities |
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US7314412B2 (en) * | 2003-09-16 | 2008-01-01 | Merit Industries, Inc. | Amusement device shared resource system and method |
US7465231B2 (en) * | 2004-05-20 | 2008-12-16 | Gametap Llc | Systems and methods for delivering content over a network |
US20060080702A1 (en) * | 2004-05-20 | 2006-04-13 | Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. | Systems and methods for delivering content over a network |
US7997582B2 (en) * | 2005-02-07 | 2011-08-16 | Wong Michael K | Multi-player audio game playable on internet |
US7549645B1 (en) * | 2005-02-07 | 2009-06-23 | Wong Michael K | Multi-player audio game and game console |
US20090005171A1 (en) * | 2007-04-20 | 2009-01-01 | Rehco Llc | Interactive multi-player audio gaming device |
US10564804B2 (en) | 2009-03-18 | 2020-02-18 | Touchtunes Music Corporation | Digital jukebox device with improved user interfaces, and associated methods |
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US20110239117A1 (en) * | 2010-03-25 | 2011-09-29 | Microsoft Corporation | Natural User Interaction in Shared Resource Computing Environment |
US20110239133A1 (en) * | 2010-03-29 | 2011-09-29 | Microsoft Corporation | Shared resource computing collaboration sessions management |
US8892628B2 (en) * | 2010-04-01 | 2014-11-18 | Microsoft Corporation | Administrative interface for managing shared resources |
US20140280727A1 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2014-09-18 | Ami Entertainment Network, Llc | Venue-specific amusement device network |
KR102378718B1 (en) | 2014-03-25 | 2022-03-24 | 터치튠즈 뮤직 코포레이션 | Digital jukebox device with improved user interfaces, and associated methods |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US20050059492A1 (en) | 2005-03-17 |
US7314412B2 (en) | 2008-01-01 |
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