U.S. patent application number 13/211862 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-02 for multi-touchscreen module for amusement device.
This patent application is currently assigned to AMI ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK, INC.. Invention is credited to Colin HIGBIE, William L. LAYNE, IV.
Application Number | 20120028711 13/211862 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44258930 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120028711 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LAYNE, IV; William L. ; et
al. |
February 2, 2012 |
MULTI-TOUCHSCREEN MODULE FOR AMUSEMENT DEVICE
Abstract
An amusement device includes a display screen having a
touchscreen. The touchscreen is configured to receive a plurality
of touch inputs simultaneously. A memory stores a plurality of
electronic games for selection and play. A controller is configured
to generally simultaneously execute a first game and a second game
from the plurality of electronic games. The first game is
configured to display at least one first image on a first portion
of the display screen, and the second game is configured to display
at least one second image on a second portion of the display
screen. The first and second games are simultaneously playable
Inventors: |
LAYNE, IV; William L.;
(Langhorne, PA) ; HIGBIE; Colin; (Middletown,
VA) |
Assignee: |
AMI ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK,
INC.
Bristol
PA
|
Family ID: |
44258930 |
Appl. No.: |
13/211862 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12940527 |
Nov 5, 2010 |
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13211862 |
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61293429 |
Jan 8, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3209 20130101;
G07F 17/3211 20130101; G06F 2203/04803 20130101; G06F 3/04886
20130101; G06F 3/0488 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/37 |
International
Class: |
A63F 13/06 20060101
A63F013/06 |
Claims
1. An amusement device comprising: (a) a display screen having a
touchscreen, the touchscreen being configured to receive a
plurality of touch inputs simultaneously; (b) a memory that stores
a plurality of electronic games for selection and play; and (c) a
controller configured to generally simultaneously execute a first
game and a second game from the plurality of electronic games, the
first game being configured to display at least one first image on
a first portion of the display screen, and the second game being
configured to display at least one second image on a second portion
of the display screen, the first and second games being
simultaneously playable.
2. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein the first game and the
second game are the same game selected from the plurality of
electronic games.
3. The amusement device of claim 2, wherein the selected game
includes a plurality of play scenarios.
4. The amusement device of claim 3, wherein the first game presents
a first one of the plurality of play scenarios and the second game
presents a second one of the plurality of play scenarios.
5. The amusement device of claim 3, wherein the first game and the
second game present the same play scenario selected from the
plurality of play scenarios.
6. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein the first game is
playable by a first player to attain a first score, and the second
game is playable by a second player to attain a second score.
7. The amusement device of claim 6, wherein the controller is
configured to compare the first score with the second score.
8. The amusement device of claim 7, wherein the controller is
configured to determine a winner between the first and second
players based on the comparison of the first score and the second
score.
9. The amusement device of claim 6, wherein the controller is
configured to store one of the first and second scores as a
cooperative score for the first and second players.
10. The amusement device of claim 9, wherein the cooperative score
is stored by the controller as part of a tournament, the tournament
being configured to accept scores from at least one of the first
and second games.
11. The amusement device of claim 6, wherein the controller is
configured to calculate and store a total sum of the first score
and the second score as a cooperative score for the first and
second players.
12. The amusement device of claim 11, wherein the cooperative score
is stored by the controller as part of a tournament, the tournament
being configured to accept scores from at least one of the first
and second games.
13. The amusement device of claim 6, wherein the controller is
configured to store at least one of the first score and the second
score as part of a tournament, the tournament being configured to
accept scores from at least one of the first and second games.
14. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein the first game and the
second game are different games selected from the plurality of
electronic games.
15. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein the controller is
further configured to execute at least one additional game
generally simultaneously with the first and second games, each at
least one additional game being configured to display at least one
image on a respective additional portion of the display screen.
16. An amusement device comprising: (a) a display screen having a
touchscreen, the touchscreen being configured to receive a
plurality of touch inputs simultaneously; (b) a memory that stores
an electronic game for selection and play, the game being
configured to display at least one image; and (c) a controller
configured to execute a first instance of the game for a first
player using a first portion of the display screen and generally
simultaneously execute a second instance of the game for a second
player using a second portion of the display screen, the first and
second instances of the game being simultaneously playable.
17. The amusement device of claim 16, wherein the game includes a
plurality of play scenarios.
18. The amusement device of claim 17, wherein the game executed for
the first player presents a first play scenario selected from the
plurality of play scenarios, and the game executed for the second
player presents a second play scenario selected from the plurality
of play scenarios.
19. The amusement device of claim 18, wherein the first and second
play scenarios are the same.
20. An amusement device comprising: (a) a display screen having a
touchscreen, the touchscreen being configured to receive a
plurality of touch inputs simultaneously; (b) a memory that stores
an electronic game for selection and play, the game being
configured to display at least one image; and (c) a controller
configured to execute an application program, the application
program being configured to access a first instance of the game for
a first player using a first portion of the display screen and
generally simultaneously access a second instance of the game for a
second player using a second portion of the display screen, the
first and second instances of the game being simultaneously
playable.
21. The amusement device of claim 20, wherein the game includes a
plurality of play scenarios.
22. The amusement device of claim 21, wherein the game accessed for
the first player presents a first play scenario selected from the
plurality of play scenarios, and the game accessed for the second
player presents a second play scenario selected from the plurality
of play scenarios.
23. The amusement device of claim 22, wherein the first and second
play scenarios are the same.
24. A tournament system comprising: (a) a plurality of tournament
games playable by a plurality of players on at least one amusement
device, each of the plurality of tournament games generating a
total player score upon completion of play, the player scores being
used to determine the tournament winners; and (b) at least one
amusement device including: (i) a display screen having a
touchscreen, the touchscreen being configured to receive a
plurality of touch inputs simultaneously, and (ii) a controller
configured to generally simultaneously execute a first game and a
second game from the plurality of tournament games, the first game
being configured to display at least one first image on a first
portion of the display screen, and the second game being configured
to display at least one second image on a second portion of the
display screen, the first and second games being simultaneously
playable.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein the first game is playable by a
first player to attain a first player score, and the second game is
playable by a second player to attain a second player score.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein the controller is configured to
determine a winner between the first and second players based on
the comparison of the first player score and the second player
score.
27. The system of claim 25, wherein one of the first and second
player scores is accepted as a total player score for the first and
second players cooperatively.
28. The amusement device of claim 25, wherein a sum of the first
and second player scores is accepted as a total player score for
the first and second players cooperatively.
29. An amusement device comprising: (a) a display screen having a
touchscreen, the touchscreen being configured to receive a
plurality of touch inputs simultaneously; (b) a memory that stores
a plurality of electronic games for selection and play; (c) a
controller configured to generally simultaneously execute a
plurality of games selected from the plurality of stored electronic
games, each of the plurality of executed games being configured to
display at least one image on a respective portion of the display
screen, the plurality of executed games being simultaneously
playable.
30. The amusement device of claim 29, wherein the plurality of
executed games are all the same game selected from the plurality of
stored electronic games.
31. An amusement device comprising: (a) a display screen having a
touchscreen, the touchscreen being configured to receive a
plurality of touch inputs simultaneously; (b) a memory storing a
plurality of electronic games for selection and play; (c) a
controller configured to execute an application program, the
application program being configured to: (i) access a first game
from the plurality of electronic games, (ii) access a jukebox
controller, the jukebox controller being configured to select and
play at least one music data set, and (iii) generally
simultaneously display at least one first image from the first game
on a first portion of the display screen and display at least one
second image representing a jukebox control interface on a second
portion of the display screen, the first game and the jukebox
controller interface being simultaneously accessible.
32. The amusement device of claim 31, wherein the music data set
includes one of a song and a video.
33. The amusement device of claim 31, wherein the jukebox
controller is one of remotely located from the amusement device and
located at the amusement device.
34. The amusement device of claim 31, wherein the application
program is further configured to display at least one image from a
respective at least one additional game generally simultaneously
with the at least one first image from the first game and the at
least one image representing the jukebox control interface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of copending U.S.
application Ser. No. 12/940,527, filed on Nov. 5, 2010, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, and which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/293,429, filed on Jan. 8, 2010, entitled "Multi-Touchscreen
Module for Amusement Device."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] An embodiment of the present invention relates generally to
an amusement device, and more particularly, to an amusement device
with a touchscreen configured to accept, generally simultaneously,
a plurality of touch inputs.
[0003] Amusement devices having electronic games for computers and
touchscreens or other types of amusement devices are generally well
known in the art. 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."); and 5,743,799
("Houriet, Jr., et al."), the entire contents which are
incorporated herein by reference and each of which shows a
touchscreen 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 or the
like) and are installed in locations such as bars, restaurants,
airports, shopping malls, video arcades, casinos or the like. The
game choices may include card games, sports games, games of skill,
games of chance, action games, trivia games, or the like.
[0004] Generally prior art games with touchscreen displays allow
for only one touch input at a time. Thus, prior art devices do not
allow for simultaneous multi-player functionality. Players must
alternate turns in order to compete or play a game cooperatively.
Further, many games are designed for single players only.
[0005] It is therefore desirable to provide an amusement device
that is configured to enable simultaneous multi-player
functionality. It is further desirable to provide such a device
that is capable of allowing multi-player functionality using single
player games while minimizing the need to alter programming
code.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Briefly stated, an embodiment of the present invention is
directed to an amusement device including a display screen having a
touchscreen. The touchscreen is configured to receive a plurality
of touch inputs simultaneously. A memory stores a plurality of
electronic games for selection and play. A controller is configured
to generally simultaneously execute a first game and a second game
from the plurality of electronic games. The first game is
configured to display at least one first image on a first portion
of the display screen, and the second game is configured to display
at least one second image on a second portion of the display
screen. The first and second games are simultaneously playable.
[0007] A further embodiment is directed to an amusement device
including a display screen having a touchscreen. The touchscreen is
configured to receive a plurality of touch inputs simultaneously. A
memory stores an electronic game for selection and play. The game
is configured to display at least one image. A controller is
configured to execute a first instance of the game for a first
player using a first portion of the display screen and generally
simultaneously execute a second instance of the game for a second
player using a second portion of the display screen. The first and
second instances of the game are simultaneously playable.
[0008] Still further embodiments comprise an amusement device
including a display screen having a touchscreen. The touchscreen is
configured to receive a plurality of touch inputs simultaneously. A
memory stores an electronic game for selection and play. The game
is configured to display at least one image. A controller is
configured to execute an application program, which is configured
to access a first instance of the game for a first player using a
first portion of the display screen and generally simultaneously
access a second instance of the game for a second player using a
second portion of the display screen. The first and second
instances of the game are simultaneously playable.
[0009] Another preferred embodiment is directed to a tournament
system including a plurality of tournament games playable by a
plurality of players on at least one amusement device. Each of the
plurality of tournament games generates a total player score upon
completion of play. The player scores is used to determine the
tournament winners. The at least one amusement device includes a
display screen having a touchscreen. The touchscreen is configured
to receive a plurality of touch inputs simultaneously. A controller
is configured to generally simultaneously execute a first game and
a second game from the plurality of tournament games. The first
game is configured to display at least one first image on a first
portion of the display screen, and the second game is configured to
display at least one second image on a second portion of the
display screen. The first and second games are simultaneously
playable.
[0010] Yet another preferred embodiment is directed to an amusement
device including a display screen having a touchscreen. The
touchscreen is configured to receive a plurality of touch inputs
simultaneously. A memory stores a plurality of electronic games for
selection and play. A controller is configured to generally
simultaneously execute a plurality of games selected from the
plurality of stored electronic games. Each of the plurality of
executed games is configured to display at least one image on a
respective portion of the display screen. The plurality of executed
games are simultaneously playable.
[0011] Another preferred embodiment is directed to an amusement
device includes a display screen having a touchscreen. The
touchscreen is configured to receive a plurality of touch inputs
simultaneously. A memory stores a plurality of electronic games for
selection and play. A controller is configured to execute an
application program, which is configured to access a first game
from the plurality of electronic games, access a jukebox
controller, and generally simultaneously display at least one first
image from the first game on a first portion of the display screen
and display at least one second image representing a jukebox
control interface on a second portion of the display screen. The
jukebox controller is configured to select and play at least one
music data set. The first game and the jukebox controller interface
are simultaneously accessible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] 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 illustration, 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.
[0013] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an amusement device in
accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an amusement device in
accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a screenshot from an amusement device in
accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an amusement device
network in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0017] FIG. 4 is a screenshot from an amusement device in
accordance with the fourth preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Certain terminology is used in the following description for
convenience only and is not limiting. The words "a" and "an", as
used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the
specification, mean "at least one." Further, the terms "coin" or
"currency" should not be construed as limiting and can be used
herein to mean all forms of coin and paper currency from any
country as well as proprietary tokens, game cards, credit cards,
debit cards, chits, or other representative forms of credit and/or
payment.
[0019] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference
numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIG.
1A a first preferred embodiment of an amusement device 10A. The
amusement device 10A includes a controller U1 and a memory U2. The
controller U1 may be a single microprocessor, multiple processors,
or the like. The memory U2 can be any known or suitable memory
device such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM),
flash RAM, hard disk, optical disk, or the like. The amusement
device 10A further includes a video display 12A that is operatively
connected to the controller U1. The amusement device 10A also
includes at least one input component 14A that receives value in
order to establish one or more playable credits. The value received
may be at least one of currency, coins, tokens, chits, credits,
credit cards/debit cards or the like. Although only one input
component 14A is shown, the amusement device 10A may include more
than one input component 14A to give a user an option for payment,
for permitting multiple players, or the like. Preferably, the
amusement device 10A is made operable upon actuation of the input
component 14A, for example, the user may only select and play an
electronic game once value is received at the input component 14A
and/or one or more playable credits are issued to the user.
However, free selections may be offered at the discretion of an
operator of the amusement device 10A.
[0020] FIG. 1B shows another or second amusement device 10B in
accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The second amusement device 10B also includes a
controller U1, a memory U2, a display 12B, and an input component
14B. Preferably, the video displays 12A, 12B are touchscreen video
displays configured to accept touch input. The first amusement
device 10A is a free-standing apparatus, whereas the second
amusement device 10B is a table-top or counter-top apparatus.
However, the amusement devices 10A, 10B may be arranged in any
configuration including table mount, wall mount, pole mount, and
the like without departing from the invention.
[0021] For convenience, the amusement devices 10A, 10B will be
referred to hereinafter simply as "amusement device 10."
[0022] Turning now to the operation of the amusement device 10, the
memory U2 stores one or more applications or application programs,
such as electronic games, a music or video jukebox program, or the
like, and a system control program. However, the one or more
application programs may also be stored remotely. Preferably, the
memory U2 stores a plurality of electronic games that may be
selected and played by one or more players. The controller U1
controls the touchscreen display 12 based upon the system control
program retrieved from the memory U2 and based upon inputs from the
touchscreen display 12. As used herein, the system control program
refers to all of the software that functions outside of the
application program files including an operating system, display
control, input control, sound drivers, and the like. Other input
devices which may be connected to the amusement device 10 include a
pushbutton(s), a trackball or touchpad, a mouse, a joy-stick, a
foot-pedal, a voice recognition system, a keypad or keyboard, and
the like. But, preferably, the input device is the touchscreen
display 12.
[0023] The amusement device 10 includes an operating mode and a
setup mode. When the operating mode is selected, a player or user
is selectively permitted to access the application programs. When
the setup mode is selected, the owner/operator is permitted to make
system setup adjustments. To switch from the operating mode to the
setup mode, a mode selector pushbutton (hardware not shown) is
provided that is typically concealed from the users. The mode
selector pushbutton may be implemented as a hidden software
feature, but preferably the mode selector pushbutton is a simple
pushbutton that is disposed inside a housing of the amusement
device 10. In the setup mode, the owner/operator may also make
adjustments to the game features as will be described in greater
detail hereinafter.
[0024] In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the
controller U1 controls the display 12 based upon the system control
program retrieved from the memory U2 and based upon inputs of the
user. The display 12 preferably has a "widescreen" aspect ratio.
Such ratios may include, for example, 16:9, 16:10, 1.85:1, 2.35:1,
or the like. The touchscreen display 12 is also preferably
configured to receive a plurality of touch inputs simultaneously,
i.e., one or more users may touch the display 12 in multiple
locations simultaneously and have the data associated with each of
the touches be accepted. The touchscreen display 12 is therefore of
the projected capacitive type, infrared, ultrasonic, or the like
for supporting multi-touch input.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a screenshot 200 from an amusement device 10 in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The controller U1 is configured to simultaneously or generally
simultaneously execute a first game and a second game from the
plurality of electronic games stored in the memory U2. By the term
"generally simultaneously," it will be understood that the
controller is configured to execute the first game and the second
game at the same time, with no humanly perceptible delay occurring
between the execution of the first game and the execution of the
second game. However, one skilled in the art would understand that
a brief humanly perceptible delay may occur between the execution
of the first game and the execution of the second game, as long as
the first and second games may effectively be played
simultaneously.
[0026] The first game is configured to display at least one image
202 on a first portion 204 of the display screen 12. The second
game is configured to display at least one image 206 on a second
portion 208 of the display screen 12. The first and second games
are, in one embodiment, preferably the same game selected from the
plurality of electronic games, thus permitting multiple users to
compete or play cooperatively. Where the first game and second game
are the same game, multiple instances of the game will be displayed
on the display screen 12. However, the first and second games may
also be different games, enabling competitive or cooperative play
between games. Although two games are shown in FIG. 2 as being
executed and playable simultaneously, any number of games may be
executed and playable by the controller U1, dependent mostly upon
the size of the display screen 12. It will further be understood by
one skilled in the art that the controller may execute at least one
additional game generally simultaneously with the first and second
games, where each additional game is configured to display at least
one image on a respective additional portion of the display screen
12.
[0027] For example, the first game is playable by the first player
212a to attain a first score 214a, and the second game is playable
by the second player 212b to attain a second score 214b. The
controller U1 may be configured to compare the first score 214a and
the second score 214b to, for example, determine a winner 218
between the first and second players 212a, 212b. In cooperative
play, the controller U1 may be configured to store one of the first
and second scores 214a, 214b as a best cooperative score (e.g.,
lowest score for golf or highest score for bowling, or the like).
Alternatively, the first and second scores 214a, 214b may be summed
by the controller U1 and stored as a cumulative cooperative
score.
[0028] The selected game may include a plurality of play scenarios.
Thus, where the first and second game are the same, the first game
may present a first one of the plurality of play scenarios to the
first player 212a, and the second game may present a second one of
the plurality of play scenarios to the second player 212b. For
competitive or cooperative play, the first and second games will
preferably present the same play scenario to both players 212a,
212b. For example, the plurality of play scenarios for a game of
solitaire are the plurality of possible deals or "hands" that a
player may be presented with. Some hands of solitaire inherently
cannot be taken to completion, no matter how skilled the player. A
competitive game of solitaire, where the first player 212a receives
a completable hand and the second player 212b does not, presents an
unfair advantage to the first player 212a because the second player
212b can never achieve the highest possible score achievable by the
first player 212a. Thus, presenting the same hand to both players
212a, 212b levels the playing field.
[0029] In one embodiment, the controller U1 is configured to
execute an application program that is configured to access the
first and second games from the plurality of electronic games
stored in the memory U2. The application program is also configured
to simultaneously or generally simultaneously display the at least
one first image 202 on the first portion 204 of the display screen
12 and the at least one second image 206 on the second portion 208
of the display screen 12. By the term "generally simultaneously,"
it will be understood that the application program is configured to
display the first image 202 and the second image at the same time,
with no humanly perceptible delay occurring between displaying of
the first image and displaying of the second image. However, one
skilled in the art would understand that a brief humanly
perceptible delay may occur between displaying of the first image
and displaying of the second image, as long as the first and second
games may effectively be played simultaneously.
[0030] The application program may be a software module, or the
like, which operates as a shell to execute the first and second
games. Accordingly, single player games or games that do not
support simultaneous multi-player functionality may be run in the
shell for simultaneous competitive or cooperative play with minimal
or no changes required to the game code itself.
[0031] In order to facilitate competitive or cooperative play, the
application program is configured to retrieve data from at least
one of the first and second games and display the retrieved data on
a third portion 210 of the display screen 12. The retrieved data
may be, for example, player names 212a, 212b, player scores 214a,
214b, avatars 216a, 216b, time remaining (not shown), or the like.
In competitive play, for example, the application program can use
and compare the scores 214a, 214b retrieved from the first and
second games to determine a winner 218 among the players.
Specifically, the retrieved data may include the first score 214a
attained by the first player 212a of the first game and the second
score 214b attained by the second player 212b of the second game,
and the application program may compare the first and second scores
214a, 214b to determine a winning score based on the retrieved
first and second player scores 214a, 214b. Similarly, in
cooperative play, for example, the application program can use the
scores 214a, 214b retrieved from the first and second games and
calculate and store a sum of the first and second scores.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, in another embodiment, the amusement
device 10 may be a part of a tournament system 300 having a
plurality of amusement devices 10. The tournament system 300
includes a plurality of tournament games playable by a plurality of
players. Each tournament game generates a total player score upon
completion of play. The player scores are used to determine
tournament winners. The tournament games may be stored in the
memory U2 of the amusement device 10, or may be available for
download or on-line play over a network 320.
[0033] Accordingly, two players may simultaneously use the
amusement device 10 to compete in a tournament. At least one of the
first score 214a and the second score 214b may be stored for entry
into the tournament, particularly during competitive play between
the players. For example, the controller U1 may only accept the
score of the winner 218. In cooperative play, the best score
between the first and second players may be selected and stored by
the controller U1 for entry into the tournament as a cooperative
score. Alternatively, a sum of the first and second scores 214a,
214b may be entered into the tournament as a cooperative score
among the players.
[0034] Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to
applications other than simultaneous execution of games. For
example, FIG. 4 is a screenshot 400 from an amusement device in
accordance with another preferred embodiment. An application
program executed by the controller U1 is configured to access a
first game from the plurality of games stored in memory U2, and
access a jukebox controller U3 (as shown in FIG. 3). Alternatively,
the jukebox controller U3 may access the controller U1 to run the
application program. The jukebox controller U3 is configured to
select and play at least one music data set. A music data set
preferably includes at least audio data required for playing a song
or other audio presentation, and can be an .mp3, .wma, .wav file,
or the like. Accordingly, a music data set may also include
metadata, i.e., information about the song such as artist, title,
album, run time, or the like. A music data set may also be a video
file, such as an .mpeg, .wmv, .avi, .mov file, or the like, and
thus includes at least video data required for playing a video.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, as described above, the application
program displays at least one first image 402 from the first game
on a first portion 404 of the display screen 12. Generally
simultaneously, the application program displays at least one
second image 406 representing a jukebox control interface (for
allowing player interaction with the jukebox controller U3) on a
second portion 408 of the display screen 12. A player (or players)
can thus generally simultaneously apply multiple touch inputs to
play a game and select and play music or videos.
[0036] The jukebox controller U3 is shown in FIG. 3 as being
located remotely from the amusement device 10. Specifically, the
jukebox controller U3 may be located within a stand-alone jukebox
340 that outputs its own audio or video, wherein the amusement
device 10 is connected to the jukebox 340 over the network 320 or
locally (not shown). The jukebox controller U3 may also be within a
server (not shown) that provides audio or video data to the
amusement device 10 to broadcast through the audio and/or video
output components of the amusement device 10. Alternatively, the
jukebox controller U3 may also be located at the amusement device
10. It is also contemplated that the controller U1 of the amusement
device can also function as the jukebox controller U3.
[0037] As described above, it is further contemplated that more
than one game may be simultaneously executed and played along with
the jukebox control interface. Further, an application program is
not necessarily required by the controller U1 to perform the
simultaneous display of the first game and the jukebox control
interface. For example, the controller U1 may be capable of
executing the first game and the jukebox controls generally
simultaneously.
[0038] The amusement device 10 may also include other functionality
and features such as music jukebox, video jukebox, multimedia
player, Internet browsing, broadcast media viewing, time based
rental mode, non-prize tournaments, prize-based tournaments,
head-to-head competitions, prize-based lotteries, ticket
dispensing, prize dispensing, debit/credit card charging, phone
card dispensing, e-mail, photography, placing customer orders,
communicating with other amusement devices, and the like.
[0039] The amusement device 10 may also provide for remote or local
access for accounting and/or bookkeeping purposes. The amusement
device 10 may include a local connector for uploading to a
hand-held or portable computer or removable memory for receiving
accounting or other data. The amusement device 10 may include
accounting and bookkeeping screens accessible by an operator
through set up screens and/or through password protection.
[0040] 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.
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