Abstract: A music playing system includes a number of music playback units with playback changer devices, coding units, and ISDN cards. Each of the music playback units is provided with playable pieces of music. There is at least one input unit by means of which the pieces of music to be played on a playback unit are selected. In addition, there is a central computer with a memory in at least one playback unit, with the memory storing data about the pieces of music available in the playback units. The playback units can be connected between themselves and to the central computer via remote data transmission lines.

Abstract: A target, especially for thrown missiles such as darts, has a disk member divided into target fields. An evaluating unit to receive and process electronic signals or actuated contacts of the disk member is associated with the disk member. At least one target element is formed on the target fields. The target element, when subjected to loads by a missile, actuates a contact which is connected to the evaluating unit. Each target element is given a predetermined value by the evaluating unit. Further, at least two target elements may be combined to form one value unit.

Abstract: A money operated gaming machine has a box-like housing and a door pivoted on one side wall and able to be locked to such housing, such door bearing on an outer side thereof game areas and a design characterizing the game. In the housing there is arranged a coin unit which consists at least of a coin inlet, a coin testing mechanism, coin distributing and guiding mechanism coin stack tubes and a coin paying out mechanism. At the side wall of the housing, located on the opening side of the door, rails are attached for a carriage holding a frame, which is provided with holding mechanisms for the individual modules constituted by the components of the coin unit. To facilitate simpler and clear installation and maintenance of the coin unit, at the inner side of the back wall of the frame a printed circuit board with U-shaped and knife-like limbs constituting contacts is held, which on insertion into the frame of a module provided with contact springs come into conducting contact with the contact springs.

Abstract: In the case of a device for the control of the shutter of a CCD camera supplied with preferably monochromatic light such as laser light from a light source, and more particularly for the control of the shutter of a CCD camera of a light ray marksmanship system, the CCD camera photographs dots of light produced by a firearm emitting a light ray directed on a reflecting screen or a television screen so that such dots may be evaluated by a computer and displayed. In order ensure that the CCD camera is essentially unaffected by interfering light sources and light from the surroundings, which has the effect of so-called "noise", and is able to respond to the main light ray, on the basis of a start signal the light source produces one or more light pulses and then a main pulse.

Abstract: A switch for the distribution of coins standing on edge and moving through a coin passage among three routing passages possesses a coin switch tongue adapted to pivot about a lower axis and whose end surface in a first position closes the floor of the coin passage and in a second position uncovers a gap in the floor which constitutes an inlet opening to two coin routing passages. In order to provide a coin switch of the sort noted initially which owing to having completely regular and reproducible positioning of the coin switch tongue is responsible for a reliable distribution of the coins from a supply passage, among three routing passages a second coin switch tongue is pivoted for movement around an axis coinciding or parallel to the said axis of the first coin switch tongue, which second coin switch tongue is able to be switched over between a left and right position, in which it respectively gives access to one of the routing coin passages.

Abstract: An automatic bowling alley has a bowling lane with two ends. The bowling alley further includes a pin setup frame provided at one end of the bowling lane for handling a plurality of bowling pins. The pin setup frame includes a pin magazine for retaining a number of the pins therebelow. A pin support plate is located below the pin magazine. A device is provided for vertically moving the pin support plate in and out of an initial position and toward and away from the pin magazine to receive the pins from the pin magazine. A device is provided for tilting the pin support plate during the vertical movement into an intermediate tilting position to clear any pins therefrom. A sorting device is located beneath the pin support plate for separating and arranging the pins received therein into an aligned position. A pin conveyor is provided for transporting, in a predetermined position, the pins from the sorting device to the pin magazine.

Abstract: A game machine system comprising a plurality of game machines networked with one another. Each of the game machines includes: a reading device for reading an encoded user card; and a display for displaying a credit value read from the encoded user card; a safe-like housing structurally separate from the game machines; and a computer-controlled money processing device disposed in the housing and networked with the game machines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a video system for entertainment and game apparatus. The video system includes a data carrier on which the game is stored. Video informations (pictures) stored on the data carrier are displayed on a display unit. By a lens and projection system the picture is imaged on a curved projection screen that at least partially surrounds the player. Preferably, the video informations are stored on the data carrier in pre-equalized form so that the image projected on the projection screen is essentially free of distortion.

Abstract: A record playing device includes a record magazine that contains record holders with records located in superimposed storage compartments. A record playback unit is located adjacent the record magazine and a travelling transport device conveys a desired record with the record holder back and forth between a selected storage compartment and the playback unit. A lifting and lowering device is disposed above the playback unit and includes a vertically extending guide rod and a holding mechanism seated to glide on the guide rod. A bracket is fixed to the holding mechanism and includes a record hold-down element for receiving a record holder with a record. A motor-driven eccentric control is coupled to the holding mechanism for lowering and lifting the holding mechanism together with the bracket along the guide rod.

Abstract: A disk play-back device includes a housing having an upper and a lower wall each having a respective opening. At least one exchangeable disk magazine is provided that contains superposed disk holders and that is insertable into the housing between the upper and lower walls. The disk magazine includes a front wall having a plurality of recesses formed therein, and a bottom and a top wall each having an opening in registration with the respective openings of the housing when the magazine is inserted in the housing. A catch device is located on the front wall of the disk magazine for fixing the disk magazine in position in the housing. The catch device includes a pressure spring having two ends, and two levers. Each lever is located behind a respective recess, and each has a front end facing the other front end.

Abstract: A coin operated entertainment machine includes a housing, viewing windows disposed on the housing, and rotating bodies disposed within the housing behind the viewing windows. The rotating bodies have symbols thereon which can be displayed behind the viewing windows. A computer control unit determines a win or loss of a game played on the entertainment machine based on combinations, showing through the viewing windows, of the symbols on the rotating bodies. At least one enticement device is disposed within the housing and includes an enticement element visible from a region outside the housing. The enticement element further comprises individual mirror segments thereon.

Abstract: A system which enables the titles of recordings to be selected from storage media containing a number of titles and held in a magazine, in particular the titles of CDs housed in a number of CD boxes. The storage media include a list of the recording titles they contain. Also called for is a player for the recordings. The system includes a device, forming part of the recording player, which enables titles selected from any of the storage media to be played; a decoding device, forming part of the recording player, which converts keyed-in code numbers into title selections; a light pen, connectable to the player, for reading bar codes, with the bar codes thus read being fed to the decoder; and a compilation, separate from the storage media and recording player, of bar codes, each of which corresponds to one of the stored titles of the recordings and can be read by the light pen.

Abstract: An entertainment installation includes at least one entertainment device defining a game area and having first actuation members thereon. A video recording device is associated with the entertainment device for monitoring the game area thereof. A projector is operatively connected to the video recording device for projecting an image of the game area. A projection screen displays the image of the game area projected by the projector. At least one control console is operatively connected to the entertainment device and associated with the projection screen. The control console has second actuation members thereon functionally identical to the first actuation members on the entertainment device and is thereby adapted to operate the entertainment device.

Abstract: A disc player has a playback unit that includes a turntable having a driveshaft. At least one disc storage magazine having a plurality of storage compartments and a plurality of superposed disc holders stored therein is provided. Each disc holder accommodates one disc. Also provided is a transporting device movable in a direction towards the disc storage magazine for moving a desired disc and respective disc holder back and forth between the storage compartment and the playback unit. The transporting device includes a horizontally displaceable extraction device for extracting the respective disc holder. The transporting device also has a disc hold-down member for pressing the desired disc to be played onto the turntable. Further, the transporting device includes a movable carrying arm for accommodating the respective disc holder. The movable carrying arm has an upper face including a cover for gripping over the respective disc holder and disc therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a program controlled entertainment and game device which includes a housing, a display unit connected with the housing and preferably provided within the housing, operating elements associated with the housing, and a playback unit associated with the housing for a CD-I disc on which the program and data informations are stored. Preferably the entertainment and game device according to the invention is employed as a coin-operated game, merchandise dispensing machine or a skill testing device.

Abstract: For the measurement of the diameter of coins (1) or other circular objects, such coins or other objects pass the guide channel at substantially the same velocity. In a lateral wall of the guide channel, at least two photoelectric detectors (3, 4) are arranged at different heights which are obscured by such coins or other circular objects when passing the channel (FIG. 1 ).

Abstract: For detecting a foreign body, as, for instance, a thread (3) or a wire in a coin channel (10) or for the recognition of the edge outline of coins moving along the guide channel, a photoelectric detector (1, 2) monitors the coin channel (10) (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A coin-operated entertainment machine includes a central control unit which permits the machine to be used at certain hours of the day or at certain days of the week at a reduced cost. In addition, the central control unit controls the machine in such a way that, with each use of the machine, a game of chance is automatically started, which gives the user the right to use the machine one or several times at no cost, should he win. Finally, the central control unit controls the machine in such a way that is possible to choose beforehand, by means of a selector, whether the end of the game depends on the occurrence of certain events during the game or on the end of a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A testing device for bank notes, or similar instruments of payment in sheet form for automatic vending machines, has a testing channel (20) with a transport device (7) and scanning devices for recognizing and checking the authenticity of the bank note (3). An input channel (2) of variable width is in front of the testing channel (20). The input channel (2) includes two channel halves (21), one on either side of the longitudinal center axis (22) of the input channel (2). The two channel halves (21) can be adjusted synchronously against the force of a spring. In their contact position, the channel halves (21) determine the minimum width of the channel, and in their separated end position they determine the maximum width. A bank note (3) of any type is introduced into the input channel (2) at its locked maximum channel width as far as a passage detector (19) arranged in a starting region of the testing channel (20).

Abstract: A display device, particularly for the display of music titles in a jukebox includes a frame housing, two juxtaposed stacks of information carriers arranged vertically one behind the other, with a front information carrier of a first one of the stacks of information carriers and a rear information carrier of a second one of the stacks of information carriers being simultaneously displaceable by a displacing mechanism relative to one another toward the respective other stack of information carriers. In order to displace the respective front and rear information carriers, the two stacks of information carriers are movable by the displacing mechanism relative to one another in synchronized steps and offset by the thickness of an information carrier. The direction of movement of the movable and displaceable information carriers is reversible by a reversing mechanism. The information carriers of each stack of information carriers are supported at edges thereof in the threads of threaded spindles.