Patents by Inventor Jeffrey T. Smart

Jeffrey T. Smart has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230249058
    Abstract: An arcade game includes a robot that can be controlled by a player to capture one or more items. The robot may include a stationary base, a lower member rotatably connected to the base to rotate about a first generally vertical axis, a torso member rotatably mounted to the lower member that rotates about a second axis that is generally horizontal; an arm member rotatably mounted to the torso member to rotate about a third axis that is generally parallel to the second axis. A hand portion may include hand-like pincers for grasping and releasing items and may include a sensor to sense contact with an item. A head portion may include a video screen that displays facial features. The head portion may include an image capturing device, such as a video camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Smart
  • Patent number: 11328562
    Abstract: An arcade game permits a player to capture physical prizes using an electro-mechanical device, whereby the prizes are assigned point values, and the point values may be redeemed both to play the game and to collect awards, such as tickets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Smart Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Smart, Jimmy G. Dupree, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11113931
    Abstract: An arcade game includes a rotating and tilting prize receptacle for rotating captured prizes past an RFID antenna and dumping captured prizes back into the playing area. To improve the accuracy of reading RFID tags on the prizes, the receptacle spins to pass the captured prizes past the antenna multiple times. Each RFID tag may be assigned a serial number that is read by the RFID reader to assure that captured prizes are not counted multiple times. After the RFID tags have been read, the receptacle is tilted, preferably while still spinning, to dump the prizes back into the playing area. The captured-prize handling apparatus may include a lighted tower that surrounds the electro-mechanical elements and attracts attention to the game. The receptacle is shaped to urge the captured prizes into a position within the receptacle that enhances accurate reading of the RFID tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Smart Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Smart, Jimmy G. Dupree, Jr., Alex Whiteaker, Tyler Wampler, Loren Ostema
  • Publication number: 20210074128
    Abstract: A crane-style arcade game has an enclosed prize chamber wherein the prizes comprise RFID tags with assigned point values. an RFID reader reads the RFID tag on a captured prize as the captured prize is moved past the RFID reader. A recording device is connected to the RFID reader to record the assigned point values of the RFID tags of captured prizes read by the RFID reader. A rotary table mechanism is used to move a captured prize past the RFID reader and then to a storage area below the enclosed prize chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Smart, Jeremy Wade, Loren Ostema, Clarence Wygal Mabe
  • Patent number: 10839651
    Abstract: A crane-style arcade game has an enclosed prize chamber wherein the prizes comprise RFID tags with assigned point values. an RFID reader reads the RFID tag on a captured prize as the captured prize is moved past the RFID reader. A recording device is connected to the RFID reader to record the assigned point values of the RFID tags of captured prizes read by the RFID reader. A rotary table mechanism is used to move a captured prize past the RFID reader and then to a storage area below the enclosed prize chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Smart Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Smart, Jeremy Wade, Loren Ostema, Clarence W. Mabe
  • Publication number: 20200126366
    Abstract: An arcade game includes a rotating and tilting prize receptacle for rotating captured prizes past an RFID antenna and dumping captured prizes back into the playing area. To improve the accuracy of reading RFID tags on the prizes, the receptacle spins to pass the captured prizes past the antenna multiple times. Each RFID tag may be assigned a serial number that is read by the RFID reader to assure that captured prizes are not counted multiple times. After the RFID tags have been read, the receptacle is tilted, preferably while still spinning, to dump the prizes back into the playing area. The captured-prize handling apparatus may include a lighted tower that surrounds the electro-mechanical elements and attracts attention to the game. The receptacle is shaped to urge the captured prizes into a position within the receptacle that enhances accurate reading of the RFID tags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Smart, Jimmy G. Dupree, JR., Alex Whiteaker, Tyler Wampler, Loren Ostema
  • Publication number: 20190251795
    Abstract: An arcade game permits a player to capture physical prizes using an electro-mechanical device, whereby the prizes are assigned point values, and the point values may be redeemed both to play the game and to collect awards, such as tickets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Smart, Jimmy G. Dupree, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180137718
    Abstract: A crane-style arcade game has an enclosed prize chamber wherein the prizes comprise RFID tags with assigned point values. an RFID reader reads the RFID tag on a captured prize as the captured prize is moved past the RFID reader. A recording device is connected to the RFID reader to record the assigned point values of the RFID tags of captured prizes read by the RFID reader. A rotary table mechanism is used to move a captured prize past the RFID reader and then to a storage area below the enclosed prize chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Smart, Jeremy Wade, Loren Ostema, Clarence W. Mabe
  • Publication number: 20110183741
    Abstract: An arcade game with a prize selection and prize delivery system is provided. A pusher-type arcade game includes a prize dispenser and selection mechanism within a single cabinet. A password output is provided to a player at the conclusion of a game session that the player may utilize at a later game session to carryover accumulated points. The accumulated points may be redeemed for prizes within the attached dispenser. Points are earned when coins or tokens are pushed over a ledge. Various mechanisms are described for earning bonus points, and play of the game may include a cumulative jackpot of points that build until it is won. The payout rate of the machine may be controlled by an operator by varying the frequency with which the jackpot is awarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: JEFFREY T. SMART
  • Patent number: 7063326
    Abstract: An arcade game cabinet is manufactured in separate front and back sections which are shipped separately and assembled at the point of use with each of the cabinet sections including preinstalled components thereby minimizing assembly steps during final assembly. The assembled cabinet displays oversized prizes on the back wall from the bottom wall to the top wall and prizes are stacked on the bottom wall visible through floor to top wall windows in each of the cabinet sections. A door in the front cabinet section allows for passage of a person into and out of the interior of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Smart Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Smart
  • Patent number: 6336636
    Abstract: A method of extending playing time and prize winning opportunities in a crane game includes the steps of checking for additional coins at any point during the playing time and recalculating the allotted playing time accordingly. An alarm signal can be provided when the allotted time is about to expire. The method can also allow the player to continue playing and winning multiple prizes so long as the allotted time has not expired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Smart Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Smart
  • Patent number: D429768
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Smart Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Smart
  • Patent number: D433695
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Smart Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Smart
  • Patent number: D913375
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Smart Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Smart