Abstract: A system including a bill or note validator of a gaming machine, a host computer, and a game credit meter. The bill or note validator is adapted to receive and recognize at least a first currency and a second currency, each issued by a different jurisdiction, and is further adapted to encode a monetary denomination of the second currency. The host computer is adapted to receive the encoded monetary denomination of the secondary currency, to decode the encoded monetary denomination and to determine an amount of game credit to be credited to the player. The game credit meter is adapted to store a total amount of game credit purchased by the player of the gaming machine including game credit purchased by the player in response to the player inserting one or more bills or notes of either or both currencies into the gaming machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an arcade game with multiple moving elements, where a player must engage all moving elements with a playing piece to engage a target and earn a reward. The game apparatus has a guiding member having a first motion, a target surface having a second motion, and a playing piece initiated into the game apparatus by a player. The playing piece engages the guiding mechanism having a first motion. In order to properly engage the target surface having a second motion, the player must initiate the playing piece at a proper time such that the guiding mechanism guides the playing piece to the target.

Abstract: A game redemption system is provided by allowing a game to be played in exchange for a monetary input and awarding either prize credits or one or more merchandize prizes based on an event that is associated with play of the game. Either a video selection interface screen or a prize-selection mechanism that is associated with the game redemption system can be used for redeeming the prize credits or the one or more merchandize prizes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for allowing redemption of prizes resulting from playing games on a plurality of game apparatuses. The system includes a plurality of game apparatuses each adapted for displaying a user interface for allowing a user to play a plurality of games. Also included is a prize database server adapted for connecting to the game apparatuses via a wide area network. In use, a user identification code is received from the game apparatuses that corresponds to the user. Also received is an indication of an outcome of the game upon the user playing the game via the corresponding user interface. The prize database server also tracks a number of prize credits awarded the user based on the outcome of the game in addition to allowing redemption of the prize credits for a prize.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture are provided for implementing a user profile-driven gaming and prize redeeming system. The user profile-driven gaming and prize redemption system allows for the tailoring of a user's experience of playing a computer implemented game on a network gaming system by first receiving an identifier selected from a group of identifiers including a user identifier relating to the user (i.e., player) of the network gaming system, a game identifier relating to a particular game played by the user of the network gaming system, and a site identifier relating to the location (i.e. web site) from which the game is being played. The network gaming system then alters the computer-implemented game played by the user in a manner based upon the selected identifier. The foregoing technique may also be applied to a prize redemption system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a graphical user interface for providing gaming and prize awarding and redeeming capabilities to a computer network system in a manner that lets a provider of the network system present and display information to a user of the network system. The graphical user interface allows for the showing of a frame, or screen/display, to the user while also allowing a game to be executed in the frame. Indicated on the frame are prize credits awarded based on an outcome of playing the game. Additionally, a link is displayed on the frame for depicting a prize redemption interface designed to allow use of the prize credits to obtain a prize offered on the network system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and article of manufacture for determining payment for participating in a network gaming tournament. First, a plurality of networked game apparatuses are provided for allowing games to be played by a plurality of players in a tournament. An indication of an outcome of at least one game played by each of the players is then received. Based on a sum of the outcomes of the games of all of the players, a total amount of prize credits or prizes is determined. Subsequently, a first portion of the total amount of prize credits or prizes is partitioned for payment for participation in the tournament, and a second portion of the total amount of prize credits or prizes is awarded to at least one winning player based on the outcome of the at least one game thereof.