Arcade game with RFID reader

{
  "publication_number": "US10839651B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Arcade game with RFID reader",
  "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.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A crane-style arcade game comprising: a housing; an enclosed prize chamber in the housing including a floor for supporting prizes, wherein the prizes comprise RFID tags with assigned point values; a grabber mechanism suspended above the floor; a controller located externally on the housing having a connection to the grabber mechanism to permit a player to control a position of the grabber mechanism above the floor whereby the player attempts to capture a prize from the prize chamber with the grabber mechanism and move the prize into an opening in the floor; an RFID reader associated with the opening in the floor to read the RFID tag on a captured prize as the captured prize is moved past the RFID reader; and a recording device connected to the RFID reader to record the assigned point values of the RFID tags of captured prizes read by the RFID reader a captured-prize storage area below the floor; and a delivery passage within the housing in communication between the opening in the floor and the captured-prize storage area, a rotary unit within the delivery passage, said rotary unit positioned in communication with the opening in the floor to move the captured prizes past the RFID reader towards the captured-prize storage area, the rotary unit further comprises a rotary table guide, said rotary table guide comprising: a rotary guide base having an aperture proximate to the center of the rotary guide base; one or more interior walls positioned within the aperture of the rotary guide base, said interior walls configured to define the aperture into quadrants; one or more doors operatively attached to the one or more interior walls; an exterior wall attached proximate to an outer edge of the aperture; and a sloped portion of the rotary guide base, said sloped portion configured to funnel a captured prize to the aperture.",
    "2. The crane-style arcade game of claim 1, wherein the grabber mechanism is adapted to move the prize into the opening in the floor by dropping the prize into the opening.",
    "3. The crane-style arcade game of claim 2, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the grabber mechanism to drop the prize into the opening by releasing the prize from the grabber mechanism.",
    "4. The crane-style arcade game of claim 1, wherein the captured-prize storage area is entirely enclosed within the housing.",
    "5. The crane-style arcade game of claim 1, wherein the rotary unit further comprises a rotary base, said rotary base comprising: a rotary table base; a motor; a hub assembly positioned above the rotary base and operatively attached to the motor; and one or more arms extending from the hub assembly.",
    "6. The crane-style arcade game of claim 1, wherein the rotary unit includes a motor that is configured to rotate a hub assembly to move the captured prize about a rotary table, whereby the RFID reader reads the RFID tag on the captured prize.",
    "7. The crane-style arcade game of claim 1, wherein the recording device is adapted to record point values to a user's memory card.",
    "8. The crane-style arcade game of claim 1, wherein the prizes comprise rolls of tickets.",
    "9. The crane-style arcade game of claim 8, wherein the point value assigned to each RFID tag corresponds with a number of tickets in the ticket roll to which the RFID tag is attached.",
    "10. The crane-style game of claim 1, wherein the grabber mechanism comprises a claw."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention relates generally to arcade games. More specifically, the invention relates to crane-style arcade games.\n\nCrane-style arcade games have an electronic control system and a mechanical system that allows a player to purchase a chance to win a prize by skillful manipulation of player controls. The controls include a joystick and/or buttons. These controls allow the player to move a crane head in front/back and left/right directions above a supply of prizes and then drop a claw which will pick up prize merchandise if skillfully and properly manipulated. When the claw drops to the bottom of its travel, the electronic control system closes the claw. The closing of the claw may grasp one or more prizes, or may remain empty. The control system then raises the claw, positions it over a prize delivery shoot and releases any prizes held by the claw. Motors are used to move the crane head and to move the claw up and down. The claw is activated by a solenoid. The equipment operator can preset the nominal strength of the claw solenoid to adjust the skill level required to win. A stronger force applied by the claw generally increases the chances that a prize will be grasped; whereas a lower force makes winning prizes more difficult. Operators will therefore set the gripping strength at a level that maximizes profit by rewarding play without costing too much in prizes. The strength level may be variable within a session to encourage repeated play, for example by increasing as more money is spent on playing.",
  "cpc": [
    "G07F 17/3297",
    "A63F 2009/2489",
    "A63F 9/24",
    "A63F 9/30",
    "G06K 7/10425",
    "G07F 17/3209",
    "G07F 17/3213",
    "G07F 17/3216",
    "G07F 17/3244",
    "G07F 17/3253"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A63F 9/24",
    "A63F 9/30",
    "G06K 7/10",
    "G07F 17/32"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "SMART INDUSTRIES Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jeffrey T. Smart",
    "Jeremy Wade",
    "Loren Ostema",
    "Clarence W. Mabe"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-11-10",
  "publication_date": "2020-11-17",
  "grant_date": "2020-11-17",
  "priority_date": "2016-11-11",
  "application_number": "US-201715809319-A",
  "family_id": "62108655",
  "cited_by_count": 27,
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}