(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0004112 A1
`Petruccelli
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jan. 8, 2004
`
`US 2004.0004112A1
`
`(54) VIDEO GAME CONSOLE AND CASHLESS
`METHOD OF USE
`
`(76) Inventor: Matthew Petruccelli, Hollywood, FL
`(US)
`Correspondence Address:
`DAVID W. BARMAN
`1101 NE 176 TERRACE
`NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL 33162 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/191,250
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 8, 2002
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl." ..................................................... G06F 17/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 235/375
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A novel Video game console and method of use or disclosed
`and described
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`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2004/0004112 A1
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`Jan. 8, 2004
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`VIDEO GAME CONSOLE AND CASHLESS
`METHOD OF USE
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0001. The current invention relates to an improved video
`game console. More specifically, the current invention dis
`closes and describes a video game console, which is
`designed to be quickly and easily reconfigured for changing
`games, and a cashleSS method for playing a game on Said
`console.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002. In 1974 the world first witnessed the beginning of
`what was to be a new revolution in entertainment. It was in
`that year that "Pong a video game depicting a ping-pong
`game was first introduced. Once the consumer public was
`overtaken, the industry has been on an odyssey to continu
`ally entertain and captivate their enthusiasts. AS technology
`became more advanced, So did the games and the machines
`which play them. The machines have taken us from “Pong"
`through three-dimensional graphics and virtual reality. What
`has also continued to grow is the extraordinary revenue
`generated by the video game industry. Today, complex and
`Sophisticated games are commonplace. Since the humble
`beginnings, video gaming has bloSSomed into a multi-billion
`dollar a year industry. Commercial Video games, of the kind
`usually found in arcades and played on a pay-per-game
`basis, are still the backbone of the industry. These commer
`cial machines are usually large, Sturdy, and have the most
`Sophisticated games. There is one major drawback. When a
`machine is assembled and configured, it is most often for
`one specific game. When that game no longer has the same
`popularity, the owner is forced to discard the entire unit.
`Attempts have been made, with varying degrees of Success,
`to reconfigure older consoles to run newer games. Most of
`the time, the reconfigurations are logistically difficult to
`perform, and there are limitations as to the extent of recon
`figuration possible. Also, reconfiguration of Video game
`consoles can be costly. Oftentimes, it is easier and more cost
`effective to simply discard the unwanted console and pur
`chase a new game. One Such limitation is the user controls.
`They may or may not be compatible with multiple games.
`This can be illustrated using two very well known games
`from the past. The game Centipede is played with a track
`ball control, while the game Pac Man is played with a
`joystick. In order to change from one of these games to
`another, the control panel must be changed. Most Video
`game consoles are not designed for the control panel to be
`changed. If there are opportunities to change, it is at a great
`expense of time and effort. The current invention is designed
`to overcome the difficulties of reconfiguration.
`0003. It is an object of the invention to provide a novel
`Video game console that is easily reconfigured.
`0004.
`It is another object of the invention to provide a
`Video game console in which the control panel is easily
`detachable.
`0005. It is another object of the invention to provide a
`Video game console in which the control panel can be
`quickly and easily interchanged.
`0006. It is yet another object of the invention for the
`entire Video game drawer to be easily disconnected and
`interchanged.
`
`0007. It is another object of the invention to provide a
`Video game console in which the control panel can be
`interchanged to easily adapt to numerous games.
`0008. It is another object of the invention to provide a
`Video game console in which the game played is quickly and
`easily changed.
`0009. It is another object of the invention to provide a
`Video game console in which the game played is interfaced
`from a circuit board placed within the machine.
`0010. It is another object of the invention to provide a
`Video game console in which the circuit board has quick
`connects and disconnects to both the control panel and
`display.
`0011. It is another object of the invention to provide a
`Video game console which can be played with or without the
`use of currency.
`0012. It is another object of the invention to provide a
`Video game console, which can be played without the use of
`currency or tokens. The user uses a computer read only chip
`to deduct money from a chip in which money was deposited
`and the value Stored on the chip.
`0013. It is another embodiment of the invention for the
`cashleSS System to be used with a casino gambling machine,
`wherein debits are deducted from the stored cash value on a
`Semiconductor chip, and winnings are credited to Said chip.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0014 FIG. 1 is the front view of the assembled console
`0015 FIG. 2 is a person sitting at the console.
`0016 FIG. 3 is the console showing removable computer
`motherboard
`0017 FIG. 4 is the console showing removable and
`interchangeable game controls
`0018 FIG. 5 shows removal of the monitor and game
`housing from the console Stand
`0019 FIG. 6 is a schematic showing the integration of
`multiple game circuit boards within a Single unit.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`0020. The current invention allows for a user to access
`commercial pay-for-play Video consoles, without the need
`for depositing currency or tokens. There is a commercially
`available product called the “I Chip’ available from Dallas
`Semiconductor, Dallas, Tex. The chip is described in U.S.
`Pat No. 6,085,983, incorporated herein by reference. This
`patent describes a Secure monetary System, by which mon
`etary deposit information is Stored on Said chip. The current
`invention has produced novel Software for performing the
`monetary transfer. A copy of one embodiment is Submitted
`on CD-ROM and the contents are incorporated herein by
`reference. It is this novel software that provides a method for
`use of the established technology in a previously unexplored
`arena of commerce.
`0021. The commercial video arcade has been a major
`icon in our Society for the previous 20+ years. Convention
`ally, patrons would use change machines to receive either
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`quarters or tokens. Then, they would proceed from machine
`to machine with pockets filled with coins. The novel video
`game apparatus described herein would completely elimi
`nate the need for any coins. Additionally, a method for
`transacting video gaming without the need for coins is
`sought as part of the invention. The method would be carried
`out as follows: A patron would enter an arcade or other
`appropriate area where commercial pay-for-play games are
`available. The patron would obtain a holder, which has a
`permanently mounted Semiconductor chip. The patron
`would proceed to a terminal, which has mounted a Standard
`dollar bill reader as is commonly known and used in
`commerce. The terminal would also have appropriately
`formed first and Second conductive Surfaces, which are
`combined to form a cavity appropriate for the insertion of
`the Semiconductor chip. For the purposes of this invention,
`these combined conductive Surfaces will be referred to as the
`chip receiver. The patron then inserts the Semiconductor chip
`into a chip receiver. The chip receiver is interfaced, through
`Said novel Software, to provide a method transaction. The
`patron will deposit a desired amount of currency into the
`dollar bill reader, and the amount of deposit is Subsequently
`Stored on a chip. The patron will then remove the Semicon
`ductor chip and proceed to a gaming machine. The gaming
`machine can be any Suitable electronic gaming device. Said
`gaming devices can include, but are not limited to: Video
`arcade games, gaming machines, gambling machines, casino
`games, and Video gambling games. The method is then
`directed to the removing a user initiated amount of currency
`and receiving credit on the desired Video game. The desired
`game will also have a chip receiver and appropriate Software
`for the transaction. Once the chip receiver transmits the
`presence of the chip, the Software provides a method for the
`circuit board to read the Stored information and ascertain if
`there is any monetary value on the chip. This is done using
`the aforementioned Software. Each Video game also has
`appropriate Software to read the monetary information
`Stored on the chip, and deducts appropriate amounts for
`games played. The user approaches a machine, inserts the
`Semiconductor chip into the chip receiver, Selects the
`amount of game credits desired, and Starts playing.
`0022. Another novel feature of the current invention
`provides for the return of unused credits. An example is a
`patron that Selects for two games to be played, and at the
`completion of the first game, desires to play a different
`game, or not play any more. The patron can have the game
`credits refunded and the monetary value restored to his
`Semiconductor chip. Thus the current invention provides for
`a novel method for the commercial video patron to play
`multiple games, without the need for currency, coins or
`tokens.
`0023. In another embodiment, the Software will place a
`Series of award points onto the chip. In many arcades, tickets
`are awarded for attaining certain levels of Scores on the
`games. These award tickets are then redeemed for prizes.
`This embodiment would eliminate the need for these award
`tickets. Alternatively, in a casino Setting, the patron will have
`winnings deposited onto the chip. The patron will than
`redeem the total winnings at a cashier for cash or a cashiers
`check.
`In another embodiment, the Software may be used
`0024.
`to track a patron's usage to determine the relative popularity
`of various games. The data relating to a patrons activity may
`
`include, but would not be limited to amount of time played,
`amount of money played, amount of winnings earned, or any
`combination thereof.
`0025. In another embodiment, casino or “gaming games
`are equipped to receive payment from a user using the Semi
`conductor chip. Additionally, in a casino atmosphere where
`allowable by law, the winnings of a patron may be credited
`onto the users chip. The user would cash in the winnings by
`going to a cashier and having the chip read for a current
`monetary value, and receiving compensation, in the form of
`a cash, check, or other appropriate payment for the value
`recorded on the chip.
`0026. The video console itself has been improved to
`provide Several unique characteristics that are not found on
`commercially available machines. The control panels of
`commercially available video gaming equipment are not
`easily changed. If there were a machine capable of changing
`the game, it would be limited to interchange based on the
`control panel. It has been discovered that one is able to form
`the control panel onto a detachable door. Said detachable
`door is able to be unlocked and removed from the body of
`the console. The electronic and/or computer circuitry
`mounted to the board for both the controls and the semi
`conductor chip are designed So they may be disconnected
`from the Video and electrical interfaces by means of a quick
`connect/disconnect mechanism. In forming the machine
`with the quick connect/disconnect, the entire drawer assem
`bly may be removed and the commercial Video game
`machine can be quickly and easily reconfigured to play
`another game. The electronic circuitry for individual games
`can be Stored in the circuitry mounted to the board.
`0027. In another embodiment, the games are computer
`based and generated.
`0028. In another embodiment, the control panel also is
`removable and interchangeable by means of Standard quick
`connect/disconnect. In this manner, if the game board
`already contains the appropriate programming for running
`multiple games, only the controls need be changed to
`accommodate the games control requirements. The
`machine is readily changeable and reconfigurable to facili
`tate the change of games and controls.
`0029. Another feature of the console provides for the
`easy removal of the Video monitor housing. Again, because
`the machine has electronic quick connect/disconnect, the
`monitor can be easily Separated from its computer and
`electronic connections. The monitor is Secured to the base
`with a plurality of mounting Screws or other appropriate
`mounting means. The size, type, and number of mountings
`are easily ascertained and assigned by the machine designer
`and is determined by methods commonly known in the art.
`0030. Another embodiment provides for the mounting of
`more than one game circuit board within the Video game
`assembly. The games may be interchanged externally, or
`internally by changing the connection using the quick con
`nect/disconnect. The advantage of this embodiment is that it
`does not limit the owner of the console in the offering of
`games to the consumers.
`0031. In another embodiment the unit is portable and
`removable from the lower cabinet. In this embodiment, the
`machine can be placed on a tabletop, countertop or bar.
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`0032 FIG. 1 shows the video console 100 with lower
`cabinet 102 that supports upper cabinet 104. Lower cabinet
`102 may incorporate a footrest 106 for use when user is
`Seated at the console. Incorporated into upper cabinet 104 is
`a video display 108 for viewing the game. Game drawer
`assembly 300 is mounted into upper cabinet 104 and locked
`and unlocked at 320 by any commonly used locking mecha
`S.
`0033 FIG. 2 shows a patron seated in front of the video
`console 100 with the aforementioned elements. Also shown
`in FIG. 2 is the electrical power cord 504, which connects
`to an appropriate Source of electricity 502.
`0034 FIG. 3 shows the removal of the game drawer
`assembly 300. The drawer is disconnected from the video
`game console by removing both the electronic quick dis
`connect output 318, which Supplies power to the power
`supply 316 which in turn delivers current to printed circuit
`board 308. Printed circuit board 308 is mounted onto drawer
`300. Complete removal game drawer assembly 300 also
`requires removal of electronic quick disconnect input 314
`from the electronic quick disconnect output 312 which
`Supplies the Signal to the Video display. The game drawer
`assembly 300 also has mounted a speaker 306 suitable for
`providing appropriate audio for the game being played. The
`game drawer assembly 300 further contains a kill Switch 322
`and kill Switch wires 324, which leads to the display 326.
`The kill Switch provides a means of Security by providing a
`mechanism by which the machine becomes disabled, either
`temporarily or permanently in order to prevent unauthorized
`access to any of the components housed within the console.
`The display can be a light emitting diode (LED), liquid
`crystal display (LCD) or any other suitable display. Mounted
`under display 326 is a circuit board 328, which provides the
`signal for the display 326. Mounted directly under display
`326 is a chip receiver 330. The chip receiver is of appro
`priate size and shape to allow for the insertion of a mounted
`Semiconductor chip. This allows for the patron to prepur
`chase a monetary value, which is Stored on the chip. The
`Video console has appropriate Software, which allows for the
`circuitry to read the monetary value Stored on the Semicon
`ductor chip, deduct an amount as determined by the user,
`and receive credit on the video game. FIG. 3 also shows
`varied embodiments of the game drawer. Game drawer 332
`shows one possible configuration. Game drawer 334 shows
`an embodiment wherein the controls 302 have a joystick.
`Game drawer 336 shows even another embodiment showing
`the arrangement of the controls. These embodiments are
`given by way of example and are in no way intended to be
`limiting in their Scope.
`0035 FIG. 4 shows another embodiment by which only
`the user controls dismount from the board and provide a
`means for reconfiguring the console. In this embodiment
`more than one circuit board is mounted within the console
`and the reconfiguring of the game is achieved by manually
`or electronically Switching boards, and by changing the user
`controls, which are mounted to the drawer of the console.
`0036 FIG. 5 shows the console 100 and depicts the
`mounting of upper cabinet 104 onto lower cabinet 102. The
`mounting in one embodiment can be conventional mounting
`ScrewS 402. The mounting can be by any appropriate means.
`0037. These are provided by way of example and are in
`no means intended to limit the scope of the invention. While
`
`the invention has been described in its preferred form or
`embodiment with Some degree of particularity, it is under
`stood that this description has been given only by way of
`example and that numerous changes in the details of con
`Struction, fabrication, and use, including the combination
`and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing
`from the Spirit and Scope of the invention.
`I claim:
`1. A video game console comprising:
`(a) an upper cabinet, which contains a video display,
`power Supply, audio components, computer circuitry,
`game drawer which further comprises user controls,
`mechanical and electronic Security mechanisms, dis
`play for payment means, and a receiving means for
`Semiconductor chip which provides for electronic pay
`ment without the use of currency or coins, and
`(b) a lower cabinet which provides Support for said upper
`cabinet.
`2. The video game assembly of claim 1 wherein said video
`display is a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display
`(LCD), or other suitable video display.
`3. The video game assembly of claim 1 wherein said audio
`components comprise at least one output.
`4. The video game assembly of claim 3 wherein said
`output is at least one Standard audio speaker.
`5. The video game assembly of claim 1 wherein said
`computer circuitry is mounted to Said game drawer.
`6. The Video game assembly of claim 5 wherein Said game
`drawer houses at least one circuit board.
`7. The Video game assembly of claim 6 wherein Said game
`drawer houses a plurality of circuit boards.
`8. The video game assembly of claim 7 wherein each of
`Said plurality of circuit boards contains information for
`individual games.
`9. The Video game assembly of claim 1 wherein Said game
`drawer is mechanically detachable from Said upper assem
`bly.
`10. The video game assembly of claim 9 wherein said
`game drawer contains quick disconnects which disengages
`from all connectors contained within the upper cabinet for
`electrical and Video components.
`11. The video game assembly of claim 1 wherein said user
`controls are removable and interchangeable.
`12. The video game assembly of claim 1 wherein said
`game drawer is removable and interchangeable.
`13. The video game assembly of claim 1 wherein said
`Security means temporarily disables all computer and elec
`tronic components.
`14. The video game assembly of claim 1 wherein said
`Security means permanently disables all computer and elec
`tronic components.
`15. The video game assembly of claim 1 wherein said
`Security means temporarily disables all components related
`to the electronic monetary exchange.
`16. The video game assembly of claim 1 wherein said
`Security means permanently disables all components related
`to the electronic monetary exchange.
`17. The video game assembly of claim 1 wherein said
`display for payment is a light emitting diode (LED), liquid
`crystal display (LCD), or other Suitable display means.
`18. The video game assembly of claim 1 wherein said
`display for payment is controlled by a circuit board mounted
`underneath Said display.
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`19. The video game assembly of claim 1 wherein said
`receiving means for Semiconductor chip is a cavity formed
`of two conductive Surfaces.
`20. A method for Storing and deducting monetary infor
`mation on a Semiconductor chip according to a novel
`program incorporated herein.
`21. A method for providing for the monetary transaction,
`without the use of currency, coins or tokens, of using a Video
`game using monetary information Stored and deducted from
`a Semiconductor chip according to the novel program incor
`porated herein.
`22. A method for reconfiguring a Video game console to
`play different games comprising the Steps of
`(a) unlocking the game drawer,
`(b) removing the game drawer,
`(c) removing the quick disconnects which Send at least
`Video signals and electricity through Standard wiring,
`
`(d) replacing a different game drawer which contains a
`circuit board for a different game,
`(e) connecting the video and electricity disconnects from
`the replaced drawer,
`(f) locking the game drawer into the upper cabinet.
`23. A method for reconfiguring a video game console to
`play different games comprising the Steps of
`(a) unlocking the game drawer,
`(b) selecting, either manually or electronically a different
`circuit board from a plurality of circuit boards mounted
`on game drawer or inside upper cabinet,
`(c) removing and replacing user controls with inter
`changeable control panel,
`(d) locking the game drawer into the upper cabinet.
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