Abstract: An arcade game including a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. The progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined task on a game unit, they receive a non-monetary award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of an arcade-type game with a rotating wheel on which to base scoring. A playing piece is directed down a playing surface towards a target end, and the wheel is rotated according to the target that was hit by the playing piece. The position of the wheel when it stops rotating affects the score. A non-monetary award based on the score is dispensed to the player when the game is completed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and article of manufacture for providing a progressive prize awarding and redeeming scheme in an intermittently accessed network gaming system. A host server of a network system transmits a beginning prize credit value and an increment rate which are received by a game apparatus connected to the network system. Periodically, a current progressive prize credit value is calculated based on the beginning prize credit value and the increment rate and is displayed to the user. At the end of the game, the current progressive prize credit value is transmitted from the game apparatus of the user to the host server for redemption purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game. A prize selection menu is displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize having a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player can be dispensed a specific prize ticket from the game apparatus or other unit that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses. Prize input is entered into a prize table describing multiple available prizes and payout information that indicates a desired amount of payout that the operator wishes to provide back to players.

Abstract: Disclosed is a skill-based water gun game. In one embodiment, a water gun game apparatus includes a water tub and a water gun. The water tub has an inner chamber and an outer channel that forms a loop around the inner chamber. The inner chamber and the outer channel are in communication through a front aperture formed in the water tub. The water gun is capable of discharging water towards the water tub. The water gun is used to shoot targets that circulate in the outer channel into the inner channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. The prize redemption system includes a server in communication with the game apparatuses to form a wide area network that may include the Internet. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses.

Abstract: An arcade game including a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. The progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined task on a game unit, they receive a non-monetary award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of an arcade-type game with a rotating wheel on which to base scoring. A playing piece is directed down a playing surface towards a target end, and the wheel is rotated according to the target that was hit by the playing piece. The position of the wheel when it stops rotating affects the score. A non-monetary award based on the score is dispensed to the player when the game is completed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interactive funnel amusement device. The interactive funnel amusement device allows a user to interact with the interactive funnel amusement device to a greater extent than prior art funnel devices. In one embodiment, the interactive funnel amusement device includes a funnel and a target. The target is located on an interior surface of the funnel such that when an object is rolled along the interior surface of the funnel the object is capable of interacting with the target. The interactive funnel amusement device can also include an adjustable guide. The adjustable guide is capable of guiding the object along one of a number of trajectories along the funnel such that the object rolls around the interior surface of the funnel in a substantially spiral manner. The adjustable guide can also be used to aim the object along a trajectory that causes the object to interact with the target located on the interior surface of the funnel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a skill-based card game. A game apparatus displays cards on a display screen. The cards are provided from a deck to played by a player according to rules of the card game, where the player can make moves during the game with the drawn cards. A game score is based on the moves made by the player during the card game. The time duration in which the player makes the moves is recorded, and does not include time expired during the game in which moves cannot be made by the player. The game score is modified based on the time duration such that the less time expired during the moves, the greater the game score. The player can be penalized when the player fails to make a move when a move is possible. Also, equalized decks reduce the randomness of available moves during the card game. In one embodiment, the card game is similar to Solitaire, drawn cards are moved onto other cards in a display area as appropriate.

Abstract: An arcade game including an object sensor for detecting a playing piece directed by a player. A target field including at least one target receives the directed playing piece, and the sensor determines the identity and a position of the playing piece. A scoring mechanism provides a game score based on a distance between the final resting position of the playing piece and one of the targets. In a described embodiment, the playing piece is a golf ball putted by the player toward a target hole. A removal mechanism removes the playing piece from the target field so that the player may retrieve the playing piece. The sensor includes a visual sensor, such as a video camera, and a digital processor for examining recorded images of the target field to validate the playing piece, determine a final position of the playing piece, and determine the distance between the playing piece and the target. Target field images can also be examined to determine and validate the trajectory of the playing piece.

Abstract: A skill-based game including multiple score indicators is disclosed. The skill-based game preferably involves rolling a playing piece down a playing surface towards targets, and allowing the user to use the targets to manipulate multiple score indicators, so as to use one's skill to obtain a winning combination. In a preferred embodiment, the playing piece is a ball and the multiple score indicators are mechanically rotated dice. Progressive scoring can also be provided. The invention attracts players and retains their interest so that they tend to repeatedly use the game.

Abstract: A game method and apparatus includes a playing surface having a player end and a target end and a target provided at the target end. The target includes a channel on a planar target surface that is inclined and receives multiple playing pieces, such as balls, rolled across the playing surface by the player. The channel receives balls in a known configuration, such as a linear stack, such that each additional ball is directed to the channel with greater difficulty by the player due to the presence of previously-directed balls in the stack and rests on the ball immediately preceding it. The channel includes parallel rails for aligning the balls and for preventing the balls from touching the target surface. An aperture collects balls that are not received by the channel and routes the balls to the player. A release device releases the balls from the channel and into the collector. A game score and optional progressive score are based on the positions of balls in the channel.

Abstract: An arcade game including a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. The progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined task on a game unit, they receive a non-monetary award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of an arcade-type game with a rotating wheel on which to base scoring. A playing piece is directed down a playing surface towards a target end, and the wheel is rotated according to the target that was hit by the playing piece. The position of the wheel when it stops rotating affects the score. A non-monetary award based on the score is dispensed to the player when the game is completed.

Abstract: An arcade game including a movable object such as a punching bag for a player to repetitively hit or strike during a game. The bag is suspended from a frame structure that is adjustable in height to accommodate differently-sized players. A sensor is positioned to detect when the punching bag swings into a sensed zone and impacts the underside of a support surface. A score is increased each time the punching bag is detected during a predetermined time period. The punching bag is lowered to a playing position during a game and retracted when a game is over so that the punching bag may not be moved between games. An alternate embodiment includes a display screen for displaying visual images such as an opponent that is updated in accordance with the strikes from the player on the punching bag.

Abstract: An arcade game including a number of playing pieces having distinct colors and a number of targets associated with at least one of the distinct colors. A sensor apparatus is arranged to sense the color of a playing piece received by a target. The targets can preferably be highlighted to draw a player's attention to a designated target. A scoring apparatus changes a game score when the color of a ball received by a highlighted target matches a color associated with the highlighted target. A variation of the game includes a playing piece return mechanism and a playing piece dispenser mechanism. Another variation of the game includes an award dispenser, which dispenses an award based upon the game score.

Abstract: An arcade game including a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. The progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined task on a game unit, they receive a non-monetary award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of an arcade-type game with a rotating wheel on which to base scoring. A playing piece is directed down a playing surface towards a target end, and the wheel is rotated according to the target that was hit by the playing piece. The position of the wheel when it stops rotating affects the score. A non-monetary award based on the score is dispensed to the player when the game is completed.

Abstract: A redemption-type arcade game apparatus with a game token return. A token receiving mechanism on the game apparatus receives a game token or coin having a monetary value from a player. A game having a finite duration is started on the game apparatus in response to receiving the token. A desired goal can be achieved by a player during the game, such as guiding a playing piece into one or more apertures on a playing surface, or having the playing piece fall into a collector for a progressive bonus award. If the player achieves the desired goal during the duration of the game, an award dispenser dispenses a nonmonetary award to the player. When the desired goal is not achieved by the player during the duration of the game, a token having the same monetary value as the inserted token is returned to the player. The game apparatus also includes progressive features which provide an award to the player based on a progressive score if the player achieves a progressive goal.

Abstract: An arcade game including an inclined playing surface, a playing piece which can be directed down the playing surface, and a vibration apparatus operative to overcome the frictional forces between the playing piece and the playing surface. The vibration mechanism preferably includes motor-driven eccentrics, and the playing piece is preferably a flat disc, such as a coin. The playing piece is preferably guided into target apertures by manipulating a handle to vary the angle of the playing surface. A variation of the game includes an award dispenser, which dispenses an award based upon the game score. Another variation includes a progressive bonus apparatus which receives score contributions from at least one individual game unit.

Abstract: An arcade game including an inclined playing surface and a coin directing mechanism. A coin hopper forces multiple coins through the coin directing mechanism and onto the playing surface for each activation of a button by the player. The player can direct the multiple coins in a desired direction down the playing surface using the directing mechanism. The coins roll toward one or more targets on the playing surface, and a game score is adjusted based on the targets that receive the coins. Indicators for the targets can highlight specific targets and goals during game play. A progressive bonus score can also be added to the game score when a progressive goal is achieved by the player. After the game is over, a tilting mechanism tilts the playing surface to clear the playing surface of coins that have not rolled into apertures and are resting on the playing surface.