US-12616894-B2 - Attendant-free game machine

Abstract

An attendant-free midway-style electronic game machine. The game machine includes a predetermined number of projectiles for game play during a user game play session, a lower cabinet or first structural portion, a target cabinet or second structural portion having a target, and at least one detector. The lower cabinet may include a counter section and an elongated ramp section ending proximal to a user play position. The target cabinet may be located on top of the ramp section and spaced a distance from the counter section. At least one detector, which may be in the form of a sensor array, is configured to detect when an interruption occurs in the array indicating a projectile has passed by the detection area. The game machine may be configured to detect when a projectile has been actuated towards the target or has ricocheted off the target and is traveling towards the counter section. An electronic controller in electronic communication with said detector, may be configured to automatically end a game play session once a predetermined number of said game projectiles have been detected as having been actuated by a user toward said target.

Inventors

• Jack Cook
• Joshua Peacock

Assignees

• BOB'S SPACE RACERS, INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20221116

Claims (17)

1. 1 . A game machine comprising: a lower cabinet comprising a counter section and an elongated ramp section, with the ramp section extending backwards relative to the counter section; a target cabinet located on top of the ramp section and spaced a distance from the counter section; a first sensor array positioned proximate the bottom of the ramp that is configured to: establish a first detection plane near the rear of the counter section; and detect when an interruption occurs in the first detection area; a second sensor array is attached on a housing with the first sensor array, the second sensor array is configured to: establish a second detection plane near the rear of the counter section in-between the first detection area and the target cabinet; and detect when an interruption occurs in the second detection area; and a control unit operatively connected to the first sensor array and the second sensor array, wherein the control unit is configured to determine the direction a projectile is traveling based on the sequence in which the projectile interrupts the first detection plane and the second detection plane.
2. 2 . The game machine of claim 1 , further comprising a frame above the lower cabinet that defines a passing lane between the counter section and the target cabinet.
3. 3 . The game machine of claim 2 , further comprising at least one of netting and caging that surrounds the passing lane and is attached to the frame.
4. 4 . The game machine of claim 3 , further comprising the housing that attaches the first and second sensor arrays to the frame.
5. 5 . The game machine of claim 1 , wherein the first and second sensor arrays each comprise an infrared sensor.
6. 6 . The game machine of claim 1 , further comprising a gate between the counter section and the target cabinet, the gate being configured to prevent projectiles from traveling down the ramp section to the counter section.
7. 7 . The game machine of claim 6 , wherein the gate is integrated into the ramp section.
8. 8 . The game machine of claim 1 , wherein the target cabinet comprises a display configured to present information to a player.
9. 9 . The game machine of claim 1 , wherein the counter section comprises a payment device configured to receive payment from a player.
10. 10 . The game machine of claim 1 , wherein the counter section comprises a reward dispenser for dispensing rewards earned for playing the game machine.
11. 11 . The game machine of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to count sequences where the first detection plane is interrupted before the second detection plane.
12. 12 . The game machine of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to disregard sequences where first detection plane is interrupted after the second detection plane.
13. 13 . A game apparatus comprising: an interactive game machine, including a plurality of game projectiles; said interactive game machine having a first structural portion, said first structural portion adapted to present a predetermined number of said game projectiles proximal to a user play position for a game play session, said game projectiles adapted to be individually actuated by a user; a second structural portion comprising a target distally located from a user play position, said target adapted for contact with said user actuated game projectiles, and a success sensor operatively connected to the target for detecting when a user has made a successful attempt in getting one of said game projectiles to successfully encounter said target; a first detector and a second detector located at said first structural portion, near said user play position, said first and second detectors are configured to detect each of said game projectiles passing by said first and second detectors; a controller in electronic communication with said first and second detectors, said controller adapted to count said predetermined number of said game projectiles by said first and second detectors that pass by said first and second detectors, and said controller is further adapted to automatically end said game play session once said predetermined number of game projectiles is detected.
14. 14 . The game machine of claim 13 , wherein the target comprises a basketball hoop.
15. 15 . The game machine of claim 13 , wherein the target comprises a knock- down doll.
16. 16 . The game machine of claim 13 , wherein the target comprises an opening in the target cabinet.
17. 17 . The game machine of claim 13 , wherein said first and second detectors each comprise a sensor array.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a non-provisional patent application that makes a priority claim to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/280,108, filed Nov. 16, 2021, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully restated herein. A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. FIELD The application relates to electronic game machines and, more particularly, to midway-style electronic game machines. BACKGROUND Amusement parks, theme parks, carnivals, family entertainment centers, festivals, fairs (e.g., county or state fairs), and the like often feature one or more areas with clusters of carnival games, amusement rides, and other similar types of entertainment attractions. These areas are commonly known as a “midway.” One popular type of carnival game that is often played in midways is the game of skill that involves having players test their aim at hitting a target by launching, shooting, or throwing some sort of projectile like a ball, dart, or weapon. Some games of this type are the “Cross Bow Shoot”, the “Milk Bottle” game, or the “Balloon and Dart” game. Basketball shooting games can also be considered in this genre as well. Collectively, these types of games can be considered “midway-style games.” Midway-style games generally require an attendant to administer and oversee the game. Among other things, the attendant can receive payment from players, keep score, and distribute prizes. Crucially, attendants can also prevent players from cheating by keeping track of the number of authorized attempts a player has taken and denying any unauthorized attempts. Players of midway-style games generally pay for a limited number of attempts or a limited timeframe to make as many attempts as possible. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that the need for an attendant can be a major drawback to the commercialization of midway-style games. To hire an attendant is to incur labor costs, and that's only if staffing is reliable. Therefore, what is needed is a way to play midway-style games without an attendant. The present disclosure relates to a midway-style electronic game machine capable of doing so. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Disclosed are game machines that include game projectiles, one or more structural portions that may define a lower cabinet and a target cabinet, a controller, and at least one detector. In one embodiment, the game machine includes a lower cabinet that includes a counter section and an elongated ramp section, with the ramp section extending backwards relative to the counter section. The game machine also includes a target cabinet located on top of the ramp section and spaced a distance from the counter section. The game machine further includes at least one sensor array configured to detect interruptions in a detection area located between the counter section and the target cabinet. In another embodiment, the game machine includes a lower cabinet that includes a counter section and an elongated ramp section, with the ramp section extending backwards relative to the counter section. The game machine also includes a target cabinet located on top of the ramp section and spaced a distance from the counter section. The game machine further includes a first sensor array configured to detect when an interruption occurs in a first detection area located between the counter section and the target cabinet. The game machine yet further includes a second sensor array configured to detect when an interruption occurs in a second detection area located between the first detection plane and the target cabinet. In yet another embodiment, the game machine includes a lower cabinet that includes a counter section and an elongated ramp section, with the ramp section extending backwards relative to the counter section. The game machine also includes a target cabinet located on top of the ramp section and spaced a distance from the counter section. The target cabinet includes a forward-facing side, a target disposed on the forward-facing side, and a made-shot sensor operatively connected to the target for detecting when a player has made a successful attempt. The game machine further includes at least one sensor array configured to detect interruptions in a detection area located between the counter section and the target cabinet. Other examples of the disclosed game machine will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a midway-style electronic game machine; FIG. 2 is a