Electric Or Magnetic Capture Patents (Class 273/448)
  • 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: 11288930
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a game method using a ticket output game machine in which, at a moment that a ball throwing portion horizontally moving along a rail portion arrives at a determined position on a game plate, a drop button is manipulated to allow a ball gripped by the ball throwing portion to be dropped onto the game plate so as to insert the ball into a bonus hole device or ball insertion holes corresponding to LEDs emitting light having different colors. An LED color signal of the ball insertion hole into which the ball is inserted or a signal of the bonus hole device or a ball discharge hole is analyzed and a score corresponding thereto is output to a general score plate or a bonus score plate. A number of tickets corresponding to the score is output through a ticket output portion and obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: KOMUSE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gyo In Lim, Nam Ho Kang, Seong Ho Park, Byeong Soo Seo, Ryeol Baek
  • Patent number: 11183017
    Abstract: A claw machine includes a chute and a sensor for detecting a won prize dropped to the chute. The sensor includes infrared units, a comparator, a calculating and judging unit, an actuating unit, an indicator, a controller, an integrated circuit board and a casing. Each of the infrared units includes an infrared transmitter for emitting an incident infrared beam with a carrier wave at a predetermined frequency and an infrared receiver for receiving a reflected infrared beam at the predetermined frequency. The controller instructs, controls, commands and manages the infrared units, the comparator, the calculating and judging unit, the actuating unit and the indicator. The infrared units, the comparator, the calculating and judging unit, the actuating unit and the indicator are supported on the integrated circuit board. The casing contains the integrated circuit board. The casing, which contains the integrated circuit board, is supported on a wall of the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Feiloli Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Ming Tsai, I-Chiang Yang
  • Patent number: 9802116
    Abstract: A system to rapidly set up new claw machines for different styles of prizes, while also providing an excellent player experience through dynamically changing claw machine behavior through machine learning algorithms. These systems can be readily installed on most any crane machine by replacing the controller card. The system is configured by means of a control wand physically connected to the controller. Teaching the machine about the prize is accomplished by physically inserting a sample prize into the grabber, and executed a command via control wand to tell the machine to learn. Once configured and taught the prize, the machine is autonomous, and will maintain its programmed profit margin throughout the prizes dispensed by learning player behavior and making adjustments after each play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Coast to Coast Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Gary Balaban, John Maurer, Greg Linder
  • Patent number: 9586115
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a three-dimensional game. In some embodiments, the three-dimensional game is a maze game where a player maneuvers at least one ball around tracks and barriers disposed within an enclosure. The player is able to select which track they would like to attempt, and then work with gravity and carefully shift, flip, turn and twist the enclosure to guide the ball. In some embodiments, the enclosure includes a first portion and a second portion. A handle is externally coupled to each portion of the enclosure to manipulate parts of the three-dimensional game to create new pathways, to align pathways enabling completion, or both. A current game state can be preserved by resting the three-dimensional game on a pedestal configured to receive the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: KID GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Michael McGinnis, Dan Klitsner
  • Patent number: 9539496
    Abstract: An arcade game is disclosed having a modified three dimensional control of an acquisition device using three motors, pulleys, and belts that maneuver the acquisition device in three directions. Each belt is located in a pair of pulley wheels that have a “grooved section that allows the belt to slip when the motor reaches an end of its cycle, eliminating the need for switches and clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen P. Shoemaker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9387393
    Abstract: A timer mechanism for a game is disclosed herein. The timer mechanism including: an end portion; an object secured to the end portion by a retractable member capable of being extracted from the object and retracted into the object by a winding mechanism; and an indicator mechanism located at the end portion for indicating when the object has come into proximity with the end portion and has contacted a portion of the indicator mechanism through retraction of the retractable member into the object by the winding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Bazarko
  • Patent number: 9192853
    Abstract: Coin operated amusement device including a crane game, a game of chance, and a simulated slot machine in combination. The Amusement device also includes a credit card swipe component for accepting payment. The credit card swipe component can also accept and player cards commonly issued by casinos and other merchants for playing machines in their locations for payment and storing or crediting winnings. The amusement device also includes a thermal printer for generating and printing tickets for location/retailer specific coupons or other awards that can be used at the location, online, or with other merchants in a specific area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: S&B Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Keith Riggles
  • Patent number: 9186574
    Abstract: Coin operated amusement device including a crane game, a game of chance, and a simulated slot machine in combination. A player deposits coins, and is able to play three games. One game is a traditional crane game. A second game requires a player to press a button to stop moving, flashing lights on an area to win a prize. The second game is located on the corners of the cabinet and above the marquee on the top of the crane game machine cabinet. In a third game, the player plays a slot machine game located on the marquee of the crane machine and pulls a one-arm bandit handle to start the game. If the player wins the slot machine game, the prize is tickets that can be redeemed via an online website/store. Games are played in any order and combination and the prizes adjusted by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: S&B Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Keith Riggles
  • Patent number: 9183696
    Abstract: A merchandiser and a method of controlling a game thereof are disclosed. The merchandiser includes prize cartridges that have transparent partitions among which prizes are contained, drive parts that move the respective prize cartridges, a gaming device that executes a game provided for each of identification numbers of the prize cartridges, and a controller that controls the drive part so that the prize of the prize cartridge is dropped to a prize discharge part according to a result of playing the game. Thereby, since a designated prize can be acquired according to the result of playing a game, an interest in the game can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: ANDAMIRO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Myoung Soo Lim, Jong Sam Yoon, Do Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8757628
    Abstract: A ball capture game assembly provides a structure having spaced access channels through which balls are removed to score points. The assembly includes a housing having a bottom, a top, and a perimeter wall defining an interior space. At least one channel is coupled to the housing. Each channel has an inner opening in fluid communication with the interior space and an outer opening configured for fluid communication with ambient space outside the housing. A plurality of balls is positioned in the interior space of the housing. A tip of an elongated member is selectively couplable to each of the balls whereby each ball is removable from the interior space by insertion and withdrawal of the elongated member through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Rick Baker
  • Patent number: 8678394
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gift storage device of a gift game machine and a selection output means thereof. The gift game machine has the selection output means movable in X, Y, Z axes to correspond to a plurality of gift storage devices. Each gift storage device includes a gift support for allowing gifts to hang thereon and a rotary feeding set controlled by the selection output means. A spiral element of the rotary feeding set rotates to push the gifts on the gift support, so that the gifts can move on the gift support until they leave the gift support. Each gift storage device is positioned to a back plate of the gift game machine via an insertion frame. Tabs and insertion troughs are provided between the gift storage device and the insertion frame, so that the gift storage device can be disassembled or assembled easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Youal-Jifh Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Chieh Wang
  • Patent number: 8533985
    Abstract: The invention provides a simple, yet flexible mechanism for affixing items to a magnetic board such that they are accurately aligned to the board and to one another. Such mechanism allows positioning and repositioning of the items as desired by the user, including stacked configurations. Contact between the items and the board is aesthetically pleasing, and provides a bearing surface that allows for repositioning of items using a sliding motion. Further, aligning the items is convenient for the user and does not distract from the primary task at hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Minds, LLC
    Inventor: W. Daniel Hillis
  • Patent number: 8448948
    Abstract: An amusement game such as those found in arcades is disclosed having a housing, player controls, and a playing area surrounded by a transparent housing, the game comprising a vertical array of targets; an actuator movable in X, Y, and Z directions, player controls for moving the actuator in the X and Y directions, means for extending the actuator in the Z direction toward the vertical array of targets, a suction device for adhering the actuator to a target. The actuator moves toward the targets and can remove a target from its position if properly aligned by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventor: Stephen P. Shoemaker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8251369
    Abstract: Game machine comprising a housing with a number of upright walls, said housing being adapted to accommodate playing means, for instance pick-up means such as a grabber; wherein the upright walls of the housing comprise at least one translucent panel; and a pattern of multicolor LEDs is provided on the inner side of the housing behind this at least one translucent panel, said multicolor LEDs being connected to a control unit for controlling the color emitted by each multicolor LED, which control unit and at least one translucent panel are adapted to impart a determined impression of color to the at least one panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Elaut, N.V.
    Inventor: Eric Verstraeten
  • Patent number: 8251370
    Abstract: A game machine comprises a housing, a user access panel having a controller, a money acceptor, a rotating field having a surface for receiving a plurality of objects situated thereon, a retriever that is movable along a track that is supported by the housing for enabling movement of the retriever relative to the rotating field, an object receiving area, and an outlet for access to the object received within the object receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Jack Guarnieri Service Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Guarnieri, Drew Maniscalco
  • Publication number: 20120056381
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes a prize support section that supports a prize, a prize moving section that moves the prize supported by the prize support section by making a movement and a motion, a prize outlet that allows a player to remove the prize, and a prize guiding space that guides the prize toward the prize outlet. The game apparatus further includes a control section that controls the movement and the motion of the prize moving section based on operation information, and controls a motion force of the prize moving section based on motion force information, and a motion force change section that changes the motion force information based on a position of the prize moving section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: NAMCO BANDAI GAMES INC.
    Inventors: Takashi Shiino, Kouji Sasajima, Makiko Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8079596
    Abstract: A redemption game is disclosed having an intermediate holding area for prizes that have been acquired by skillful or fortunate playing of the game, the holding area being inaccessible to the player. The compartment can be accessible via a pivotally mounted floor that leads to a lockable compartment. The lockable compartment would be accessible only with a key or other means that would be controlled by an attendant, so that a player could not acquire a prize without the help of the attendant. In this manner, thieves would be thwarted from cheating the game because the could not acquire the prizes without the assistance of an attendant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen P. Shoemaker, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110272887
    Abstract: A direct prize-dispensing game dispenses prizes using a crane assembly under control of the game player. The player participates in an underlying game of the prize-dispensing game that is independent from the prize dispensing function of the crane assembly. When the player successfully achieves an object of the game entitling the player to a prize, the prize-dispensing game switches player control to the crane assembly for dispensing an associated prize selection. The player then controls the crane assembly to select a desired prize. The prize-dispensing game keeps the controls to the crane assembly until a prize is dispensed to the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: LAI Games Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher J. McGrath
  • Patent number: 8002284
    Abstract: A doll-based game machine includes a frame, a doll-hanging unit, a displacement unit, a string-cutting unit and an operation unit. The frame includes an opening defined therein. The doll-hanging unit is located in the frame and used to hang dolls. The displacement unit includes an X-axis displacement unit located in the frame, a Y-axis displacement unit connected to the X-axis displacement unit, and a cutter-carrying unit connected to the Y-axis displacement unit. The string-cutting unit is carried by the cutter-carrying unit. The operation unit is located on the frame and operable to cause the X-axis displacement unit to move the Y-axis displacement unit along an X-axis, to cause the Y-axis displacement unit to move the cutter-carrying unit along a Y-axis, and to turn the string-cutting unit into a cutting mode from an idle mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Feiloli Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun-Hung Hsieh, Yi-Chiang Yang, Tsair-Rong Chen
  • Publication number: 20110130206
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for supporting and decorating a window. The apparatus includes a frame, a lamp and a lens assembly. The frame includes a middle slab formed between two lateral slabs. Each of the lateral slabs includes a window-receiving groove, a V-shaped groove and a lens-receiving groove. The depth of the window-receiving groove of each of the lateral slabs is at an angle from that of the window-receiving groove of the other lateral slab. The middle slab is in parallel to a plane in which valleys of the V-shaped grooves of the lateral slabs lie. The lamp includes illuminators supported on a board. The board includes two edges inserted in the V-shaped grooves. The lens assembly includes lenses each including at least two tongues each extending from a side and including a tip movably inserted in the lens-receiving groove of a related one of the lateral slabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Yi-Chiang Yang
  • Publication number: 20110115163
    Abstract: A game machine comprises a housing, a user access panel having a controller, a money acceptor, a rotating field having a surface for receiving a plurality of objects situated thereon, a retriever that is movable along a track that is supported by the housing for enabling movement of the retriever relative to the rotating field, an object receiving area, and an outlet for access to the object received within the object receiving area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: ELAUT USA, INC.
    Inventors: Jack Guarnieri, Drew Maniscalco
  • Publication number: 20110086687
    Abstract: A game machine comprises a housing, a user access panel having a controller, a money acceptor and a redemption dispenser that dispenses an award, a rotating field having a surface with a plurality of objects situated thereon, a retriever that is movable along a track that is supported by the housing for enabling movement of the retriever relative to the rotating field, an object return path having an object receiving area, a delivery guide, and an outlet, wherein an award is dispensed from the redemption dispenser upon the retriever retrieving an object from the rotating field and delivering it to the object receiving area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: ELAUT USA, INC.
    Inventor: Jack Guarnieri
  • Patent number: 7918458
    Abstract: To enabling actions that meet even diversified display patterns such as a prize hooked on a prize drop hole. An article housing section for storing articles, an article capturing section for capturing an article in the article housing section, lifting device for moving the article capturing section up and down, control device for controlling the movement of the article capturing section by the lifting device, and detection device for detecting that the article capturing section being moved downward by the lifting device strikes against any object including the article in the article housing section are provided. The control device performs control for operating the lifting device to continue to move the article capturing section downward even after the control device receives a detection signal from the detection device, and after the continued downward movement, stopping the downward movement of the article capturing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Fukazawa, Hideki Watanabe, Nobuto Kashiwagi
  • Patent number: 7857318
    Abstract: An arcade type crane game includes a crane that moves in a two dimensional random motion over the playing field of the prizes without control from the player. After a period of the random motion, a pick up device stops its random motion and lowers in the location where it stops and attempts to pick up a prize below. In the case of a vacuum pick up device, the vacuum is lowered and acquires (or attempts to acquire) the nearest object below the vacuum. In the case of a claw type crane, the claws actuate after being lowered to the level of the prizes to acquire (or attempt to acquire) a prize below. By removing the controls from the player, various elements of skill have been removed from the game and replaced by chance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen Shoemaker, Jr., Edward Che
  • Patent number: 7841599
    Abstract: The invention provides a home-use crane game machine that gives a player a strained sensation of operation similar to playing a game apparatus disposed in the amusement arcade or the like and that young children can play easily. The home-use crane game machine comprises a base part having a first button, a second button and a main board having a control device, a housing part, a crane part having a catcher having a bottom part formed in the shape of teeth and a standing wall plate vertically protruding on the side of the bottom part and a crane main body for controlling the movement of the catcher in X axis direction, Y axis direction and Z axis direction, and a roof, wherein the control device moves the catcher in X axis direction, Y axis direction and Z axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Agatsuma Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Todokoro
  • Patent number: 7770894
    Abstract: Provided is a prize acquisition game device in which a control unit constituted from a microcomputer controls a prize acquisition unit that moves in a game space with a plurality of prizes disposed therein, and controls the acquisition of the prize. The control device moves the prize acquisition unit to the target prize based on an operation signal, judges the success of the acquisition of the prize, and moves the prize acquisition unit that acquired the prize to apposition where the prize can be paid out to the player. And an obstruction unit for obstructing the prize while it is being transported, or when the prize is to be dropped in the prize payout slot has been provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega
    Inventors: Hideki Watanabe, Kojiro Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7703772
    Abstract: A pusher-type prize dispensing device in which each of two support plates on which a bonus prize is placed is pivotally supported on one end on an axis of which the axial direction coincides with the horizontal and depth direction, and is locked almost horizontally by allowing the other end to be suspended on a locking member. A suspended string is tied to a bent upper portion, and the other end of the support plate is suspended on the top surface of a lower portion, whereby the locking member locks the support plate. When a weight member falls from a stationary table, the locking member moves rotationally due to the fall of the weight member so that the upper portion moves downward, whereby the support plate falls downward, causing the prize P placed on the top surface of the support plate to fall toward a prize receiving port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Namco Bandai Games Inc.
    Inventors: Hironobu Morikawa, Shigeharu Goto
  • Patent number: 7654534
    Abstract: The prize arrangement is limited in many conventional prize-winning game machines, in which the usable area is only the floor. In a crane game machine of the present invention for grasping a prize, an object grasping system (grasping arms) grasping a prize is suspended by a first and a second wire which are respectively controlled in length by a first and a second Z mechanisms. Thus, the object grasping system can be moved in the longitudinal and the vertical direction, and a direction of the grasping arms can be rotated up-and-down by a predetermined angle. As a result, the grasping arms are capable of grasping the prize disposed on a self provided on the back wall face side of the game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Sega Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7648142
    Abstract: Provided is a prize acquisition game device in which a control unit constituted from a microcomputer controls a prize acquisition unit that moves in a game space with a plurality of prizes disposed therein, and controls the acquisition of the prize. The control device moves the prize acquisition unit to the target prize based on an operation signal, judges the success of the acquisition of the prize, and moves the prize acquisition unit that acquired the prize to a position where the prize can be paid out to the player. And an obstruction unit for obstructing the prize while it is being transported, or when the prize is to be dropped in the prize payout slot has been provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega
    Inventors: Hideki Watanabe, Kojiro Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7637507
    Abstract: Laser-based and non-laser-based visual targeting systems for use with skill cranes and other amusement vending machines are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an amusement vending machine includes a see-through enclosure containing at least one prize. A user-operable controller, such as a joystick, positioned on the outside of the enclosure is operably connected to a pick-up device, such as a claw, positioned within the enclosure. Selective operation of the controller causes the pick-up device to move within the enclosure and perform a prize pick-up maneuver. In one aspect of this embodiment, the amusement machine further includes a visual targeting system that provides a visual indication of the position of the pick-up device relative to the prize to assist the player in positioning the pick-up device before attempting the prize pick-up maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Coinstar Entertainment Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Peck, James R. Staffa
  • Publication number: 20090295095
    Abstract: Provided is a prize acquisition game device in which a control unit constituted from a microcomputer controls a prize acquisition unit that moves in a game space with a plurality of prizes disposed therein, and controls the acquisition of the prize. The control device moves the prize acquisition unit to the target prize based on an operation signal, judges the success of the acquisition of the prize, and moves the prize acquisition unit that acquired the prize to apposition where the prize can be paid out to the player. And an obstruction unit for obstructing the prize while it is being transported, or when the prize is to be dropped in the prize payout slot has been provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Hideki WATANABE, Kojiro MIYAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20090278318
    Abstract: To perform angle adjustment of a claw member in an end portion of a gripping arm assuredly in a simple manner. A claw member 4 is disposed to be able to turn relative to an arm 8 in the direction for opening or closing the arm 8, and a claw angle adjusting means 42 that can be switched between a restricted state in which a relative angle of the claw member 4 with respect to the arm 8 is fixed by restricting a turning operation of the claw member 4 relative to the arm 8 and a non-restricted state in which the relative angle of the claw member 4 can be changed by allowing the turning operation of the claw member 4 by a user's manual operation is included. The claw angle adjusting means 42 has a slider 43 that can be moved between a restricted position and a non-restricted position. In addition, a stair part 44 that has multiple steps and forms the restricted state of the claw angle adjusting means 42 by engaging an engagement part 43a that is a part of the slider 43 is disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Kouki Takasugi
  • Patent number: 7604238
    Abstract: A device for picking up one or more objects, e.g., particular one or more prizes to be won, and subsequently moving the same to a dispensing position includes: a pick-up device, such as a grabber or a vacuum head; and a positioning device to be controlled by a user for positioning the pick-up device over one or more objects. A weight determination device is provided for determining the weight of the pick-up device, in which one or more picked up objects may be present in case of a successful pick-up attempt, or of a variable related to the weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: ELAUT N.V.
    Inventor: Eric Ernest Maria Verstraeten
  • Patent number: 7594662
    Abstract: A prize-capturing game apparatus 10 comprises a prize storage portion 14 in which a prize 18 is stored. A drop inlet 26 for dropping the prize 18 gripped by a movable body 24 is disposed on the prize storage portion 14. The drop inlet 26 is opened or closed by a shutter 74 of a mechanism 37 for opening and closing the drop inlet. A prize deposit room 30 is disposed below the drop inlet 26 and an outlet 32 for taking out the prize 18 is disposed on a front face of the prize deposit room 30. The outlet 32 is opened and closed by the prize outlet door 34. During a game, the shutter 74 opens the drop inlet 26 to receive the drop of the prize 18 and the prize outlet door 34 is locked in a closed position using a locking mechanism 62. After the game, the shutter 74 closes the drop inlet 26 and a lock of the prize outlet door 34 using the door locking mechanism 62 is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Sega Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Fukazawa, Takashi Yamamoto, Hideki Watanabe, Nobuto Kashiwagi, Junichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 7549646
    Abstract: There is provided a crane game machine which has a simple structure and can perform fine control on a catcher. In this invention, a CPU increments a counter value at a clock signal period of a timer when a crane is to be moved down, and decrements the counter value at the clock signal period of the timer when the crane is to be moved up. When the counter value becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, the operation of an elevating motor is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Taito Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Yumiya
  • Patent number: 7537217
    Abstract: An article acquisition game apparatus includes a storage unit storing articles, and an article transferring unit enabling a player to hold the articles in the storage unit and transfer the articles to a predetermined transfer position when the player operates an operation input unit. The game apparatus comprises a distributing unit dividing the articles transferred to the transfer position into two or more groups, a first accumulation unit accumulating at least one group of the articles divided by the distributing unit, an article disbursement unit allowing the player to take out at least one group of the articles other than those accumulated by the first accumulation unit, an operating information generating unit generating operating information based on predetermined conditions, and an ejecting unit ejecting the articles accumulated by the first accumulation unit, to the article disbursement unit, based on the operating information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Sega Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Fukazawa, Takashi Nakajima, Nobuto Kashiwagi, Junichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 7513505
    Abstract: A manner for presenting payouts in gaming activities. The invention may be used in connection with primary gaming activity and/or in connection with secondary/bonus activity. The invention provides a controllable selection and/or item capture mechanism used to identify full or partial payout values, and/or other play parameters such as multipliers, continue/discontinue identifiers, etc. The system and/or the user can control the selection/capture mechanism. In one embodiment, a platform typically concealed from the participant is moved to a location proximate the item capture mechanism, and a particular selectable item determined by the RNG is retrieved by the item capture mechanism among the otherwise perceivable selectable items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: King Show Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Berman, Chad Shapiro, Jason Malkovich
  • Publication number: 20080242413
    Abstract: The prize arrangement is limited in many conventional prize-winning game machines, in which the usable area is only the floor. In a crane game machine of the present invention for grasping a prize, an object grasping system (grasping arms) grasping a prize is suspended by a first and a second wire which are respectively controlled in length by a first and a second Z mechanisms. Thus, the object grasping system can be moved in the longitudinal and the vertical direction, and a direction of the grasping arms can be rotated up-and-down by a predetermined angle. As a result, the grasping arms are capable of grasping the prize disposed on a self provided on the back wall face side of the game machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: SEGA Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi MATSUDA
  • Patent number: 7168706
    Abstract: The game apparatus has: a rotating bin containing at least one game piece; a moveable claw for grabbing the at least one game piece; a catapult for launching the at least one game piece; and a target area for receiving the at least one game piece; wherein the moveable claw places the at least one game piece on the catapult, and wherein the catapult launches the at least one game piece at the target area. The method of playing the game having a plurality of game pieces and having a target area, has the steps of: selecting at least one of the game pieces at a first location; moving the selected game piece to a second location; and catapulting the at least one of the game pieces from the second location toward a target area. The step of selecting may have the steps of rotating a plurality of game pieces, selectively stopping rotation of the plurality of game pieces, and picking up at least one of the game pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventors: Jeffrey Pierce, Harold Skripsky, Lyle Willimann
  • Patent number: 6957813
    Abstract: A device for grasping and subsequently displacing an object to a delivery position, comprising a gripper suspended from a trolley and provided with at least three prongs which are each pivotable relative to a carrier and which are displaceable by control means from a spread position to a closing position and vice versa, wherein the control means are formed by a coil connected to the carrier and a magnetic core which is movable in the coil and coupled to the prongs and which consists of a system of permanent magnets, which coil can be energized by a current, wherein the magnets are disposed such that their combined flux will form a constant pattern relative to the coil in all positions, whereby the gripping force is constant in the diverse closing positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Elaut N.V.
    Inventor: Eric Verstraeten
  • Patent number: 6830162
    Abstract: System for transporting and elevating coins in prize recreational machines, being of the type of prize recreational machine that functions by introducing coins and awarding cash prizes, in such a way that the system for transporting and elevating coins comprises a pair of continuous elastic transporter belts (4) and (5) guided by some cylindrical bodies, with at least one of the cylindrical bodies for guiding the pair of continuous transporter belts acting as a drive element due to the corresponding motor transmitting movement to it, in such a way that a first continuous elastic transporter belt (4) is mounted between a pair of cylindrical bodies (6) and (7) aligned in a vertical position, while the second continuous elastic transporter belt (5) is mounted between an upper cylindrical body (8) and a pair of lower cylindrical bodies (9) and (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Jofemar, S.A.
    Inventor: Félix Guindulain Vidondo
  • Patent number: 6773016
    Abstract: Game apparatus that enables players themselves to bodily sense a feeling of reality and lively motion, and that enables satisfying curiosity regarding mechanical manipulations. The game apparatus is composed of: a holding section (6) for holding a plurality of grab articles (7); a ride apparatus (10) for players (Y) to board, adapted to be shiftable and/or rotatable; and a fetching device (25) attached onto the ride apparatus (10), for fetching grab articles (7) from the holding section (6) by player (Y) manipulations. By actions that manipulate the fetching device (25), a player (Y) can satisfy curiosity regarding mechanical manipulations, and can enjoy an amusement brimming with appeal. By boarding and traveling with the ride apparatus (10), the players (Y) themselves can bodily sense a feeling of reality and lively motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Yasushi Ochi
  • Patent number: 6770001
    Abstract: A crane game with a vacuum head adapted to pick up objects with a smooth extraction surface is disclosed wherein the objects, or targets, include perturbations such as bead shaped projections or dimples that present a more challenging target by reducing the available extraction surface. Disk shaped, spherical, or other shaped targets include one or more perturbations that may prevent a seal from being formed with the suction head, denying extraction of the target by the vacuum head. Values may be assigned to the targets based on the number of perturbations, or the targets may encapsulate prizes of a value directly related to the available extraction surface on the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen P. Shoemaker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6708977
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a premium arcade game machine and the gaming method thereof. In more detail, it relates to a gaming method that a user rakes down as many medals heaped up on a plate as possible without knocking down a stick standing between the medals by controlling a joystick and/or up/down buttons to move a rake front/back/left/right and up/down within a given time, and the game machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Eolith Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ju Young Jeon
  • Patent number: 6695698
    Abstract: A dispensing game system includes a prize capsule storage hopper above two automatic hopper loaders that replenish the game below with prize capsules as needed. Two Ferris wheels carry free swinging gondolas that receive and hold the prize capsules from the loaders. Two or more player-activated actuator arms located next to the outer edge of the Ferris wheels are used to hit targets attached to the moving gondolas, in turn causing the gondolas to tip forward and release the prize capsule, which then falls down and rolls into the prize opening for the player to collect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Pixy Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Python Anghelo, Bryan Hansen, William Pfutzenreuter
  • Publication number: 20040026865
    Abstract: A device for grasping and subsequently displacing an object to a delivery position, comprising a gripper suspended from a trolley and provided with at least three prongs which are each pivotable relative to a carrier and which are displaceable by control means from a spread position to a closing position and vice versa, wherein the control means are formed by a coil connected to the carrier and a magnetic core which is movable in the coil and coupled to the prongs and which consists of a system of permanent magnets, which coil can be energized by a current, wherein the magnets are disposed such that their combined flux will form a constant pattern relative to the coil in all positions, whereby the gripping force is constant in the diverse closing positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Eric Verstraeten
  • Patent number: 6679499
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for standing a fallen stick between medals in a premium arcade game. In particular, it relates to a method for electronically detecting the stick being knocked down during a game and automatically re-standing the fallen stick by simple mechanical procedures in a premium arcade game that a user rakes down as many medals heaped up on a plate as possible without knocking down a stick standing between the medals by controlling a joy-stick or up/down buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Ma Eolith Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ju Young Jeon
  • Patent number: 6634940
    Abstract: In a game machine for causing exhibited prizes such as stuffed toys to be acquired with game characteristics, the reliability of the game machine can be ensured, and a new game characteristic can be obtained. A prize acquisition game machine includes a prize exhibit portion for exhibiting a plurality of prizes provided with ID tags 3a having machine readable arbitrary identification marks, a prize selection unit for selecting desired prizes from the prize exhibit portion, an ID tag reading device 16 for reading the identification marks from the ID tags of the prizes selected by the prize selection unit, a judgement unit (e.g., a CPU) for comparing and judging whether or not the identification marks of the plurality of prizes selected by the prize selection unit 4 are identical to each other, and a control portion (e.g., a CPU) for driving a prize release unit in a case where a judgement result of the judgement means is YES, to release the plurality of prizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Yoshida, Koki Imai
  • Publication number: 20030151202
    Abstract: An amusement game is provided with means for securing one or more prizes/objects arranged on a platform and a device for determining a characteristic of the prizes/objects. In a preferred embodiment the amusement game of the present invention comprises a crane for securing one or more prizes/objects arranged on a platform, a scale for weighing said one or more prizes/objects; and a means for indicating that the weight of said prizes/objects is less than a predetermined amount. In a preferred embodiment a prize/object gate is provided for dispensing or returning any secured game prizes/objects based on their combined weight and the means for securing the game prizes/objects includes a claw assembly operatively arranged for positioning about a game cabinet by the game player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Leonard C. Fisher, Raymond J. McGowan, Shaun P. O'Brien