ES2402640B1 - IMPROVED RECREATIONAL MACHINE AND ASSOCIATED PROCEDURE - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved recreational machine (1) comprising a peripheral device (2) comprising a screen, controls and a means of communication, a storage medium capable of storing the data of a user's departure and a means of communication capable of communicate with the peripheral device to allow a user to play or continue a game from said peripheral device. Thus, in the event that a player or user of the machine must leave the machine for any reason, he could save the data of the game started in the storage medium to continue it later or continue the game from another place through the device peripheral.

Description

IMPROVED RECREATIONAL MACHINE AND ASSOCIATED PROCEDURE

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention belongs in general to the field of recreational machines.

An object of the invention is a novel recreational machine equipped with loyalty means that allow to keep the data of a user's departure when he leaves the machine, and even allow the user to continue the game from another place by means of a Electronic device. The usual user is thus rewarded to increase their loyalty.

Another object of the invention is directed to a method of operating said recreational machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recreational machines are generally classified into two types: type A machines and type B machines. Type A machines are those that constitute a mere hobby or recreation, limiting themselves to granting the user a time of use or play in exchange for the price of the game, without granting any kind of cash prize. On the contrary, type B machines grant the user a period of use or play, and, in accordance with the game program, a cash prize.

Currently, players of type B machines can only play or interact with the machine when they are placed in front of it, the player participating in the decisions that the game poses through images, lights and sounds. If the player has the need to leave the area where the machine is located, he loses all the possibilities to continue playing, leaving the game. Moreover, the player loses any opportunity to continue the game he had started. In short, the usual player receives no reward for their loyalty.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention solves the above problems by means of an improved recreational machine comprising:

a) A peripheral device comprising a screen, controls and a means of communication. The peripheral device may be an electronic device specially designed for this purpose and that is supplied together with the recreational machine itself, or an existing device owned by the user, such as a PC, a laptop, a mobile smart phone or a tablet PC.

b) A storage medium capable of storing the data of a user's departure. It can be any type of memory, although preferably it is a RAM.

c) A communication medium capable of communicating with the peripheral device to allow a user to play or continue a game from said peripheral device. Preferably, the media comprises Bluetooth, Wifi, or Zigbee.

Thus, in the event that a player or user of the machine must leave the machine for any reason, it would have two possibilities: save the data of the game started in the storage medium to continue it later; or continue the game from another place through the peripheral device.

In the first case, the user must identify himself to the recreational machine to continue his departure safely. In principle, this can be done in different ways, for example through passwords entered through the recreational machine's own controls. However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the recreational machine further comprises a security reader capable of reading a personal identification card. Thus, it would be enough for the user to enter their identification card together with an identifier and password associated with the card to access their data stored in the recreational machine.

In this way, the player could return to the machine the next day, introduce his card in the reader of the recreational machine and identify himself by means of his personal identifier and his password, thus accessing the data of his saved games, game history , possible advantages granted by being a regular player, etc. Next, you would select the game you wish to continue and resume the game normally.

In the second case, the user would use the peripheral device that communicates wirelessly with the recreational machine to continue the game elsewhere. Again, the user would have to identify himself, which could be done in different ways, for example using only personal passwords that would be entered using the peripheral device's keyboard. However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the peripheral device also comprises a security reader capable of reading a personal identification card.

Thus, when the player must be absent from the game area in front of the machine, he only has to take the peripheral device and enter his identification card, identifier and password. Once this is done, access the data stored in the storage medium of the main machine and select the game you are currently playing to continue it from the peripheral device. The peripheral device is maintained at all times in communication with the recreational machine through the communication medium, for example Wi-Fi. The player can then move away from the recreational machine and continue playing through the peripheral device.

According to another preferred embodiment, the recreational machine of the invention further comprises an image acquisition means capable of acquiring images of the user. These images can be used to customize the games of each specific user, even adapting the math, the distribution of prizes and thematic of the recreational machine.

The novel elements of the recreational machine of the invention are installed quickly and easily, allowing a multitude of new utilities to improve the gaming experience of the usual user. In addition, it is not necessary that the arcade machine be connected to the power grid or any data network.

A second aspect of the invention is directed to a method of operating a machine equipped with a peripheral device with which it is in communication, and which, as mentioned above, in a summary way comprises the following steps:

-

Identify, through a machine safety reader

or from the peripheral device, to a user of the recreational machine.

-

Store the data of an interrupted game of said user in a storage medium of the recreational machine.

-

Recover, at a later time, the data of said interrupted item so that the user, once identified, the

resume well in the machine itself or in the peripheral device.

A preferred embodiment of the process of the invention further comprises the operations of:

-

Take images of an identified user by means of image acquisition and store them in the storage medium.

-

Use these images to customize the games of said user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows a recreational machine and a peripheral device according to the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A particular embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the attached Fig. 1, where a recreational machine (1), in this case type B, and a peripheral device (2) has been represented. The recreational machine (1) and the peripheral device (2) of this example are in communication via a wireless Wi-Fi network.

Thus, the operation of the described system would be the following: a habitual user is playing a game that, for any reason he must leave. Being a regular user, you have a personal identification card (3) that you enter into the machine (1) every time you play a game, so that when you interrupt the game you indicate by means of the machine controls (1) that you want to store said game departure. Later, for example the next day, the user returns to the machine (1) and wishes to continue the game already started. Re-enter your identification card (3) in the recreational machine (1) to access the data of your games stored in the machine and select the interrupted game the day before. Then the game resumes and plays normally. Naturally, the game and user data stored in the storage medium (not shown in the figure) would be confidential and only the player himself would have access to them after identification with his card, being able to modify or delete them if he considers it convenient.

Similarly, if the user must leave the game area in front of the machine but wishes to continue an already started game, he can use the peripheral device (2). As in the previous case, being a regular user, at the beginning of the game he had introduced his personal identification card (3). Now, interrupt the game and insert the card

(3) of user in the peripheral device (2) and select to resume the interrupted game in the peripheral device (2). The user can now move away from the machine (1) and continue playing through the peripheral device (2).

An additional advantage of this system is that the accumulated data of each player allows the game to be customized, not only thanks to the use of an image acquisition medium (not shown in the figures) that the player's own image uses during the game , but also in terms of the theme, awards, etc. In this way, you get loyalty to the player, since the entire game environment is adapted to your tastes.

Claims (9)

one.

Enhanced recreational machine (1), characterized in that it comprises: a peripheral device (2) comprising a screen, controls and a means of communication; -a storage medium capable of storing the data of a user's departure; Y

- a means of communication capable of communicating with the peripheral device to allow a user to play or continue a game from said peripheral device.

2.

Recreational machine (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a security reader capable of reading a personal identification card (3).

3.

Recreational machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the storage means comprise a RAM.

Four.

Recreational machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the media comprises Bluetooth, Wifi, or Zigbee.

5.

Recreational machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral device comprises a security reader capable of reading a personal identification card (3).

6.

Recreational machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral device is chosen from a PC, a laptop, a mobile smart phone or a tablet PC.

7.

Recreational machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, which further comprises an image acquisition means capable of acquiring images of the user.

5 8. Operating procedure of a recreational machine (1) equipped with a peripheral device (2) with which it is in communication, characterized in that it comprises the following operations:

-

 identify, by means of a machine safety reader (1) or

from the peripheral device (2), to a user of the recreational machine (1) 10;

-

 storing the data of an interrupted game of said user in a storage medium of the recreational machine (1); and -recover, at a later time, the data of said interrupted item so that the user, once identified, takes it back in the

15 machine (1) or in the peripheral device (2). 9. Method according to claim 8, further comprising: - taking images of a user identified by means of 20 acquisition of images and store them in the storage medium; Y

-

 use these images to customize the games of said user.

SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application number: 201131738 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 27.10.2011 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: G07F17 / 00 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

Y

US 2011151979 A1 (BOESEN JOHN LESLIE et al.) 06.23.2011, 1-9

paragraphs [0120], [0122], [0147]; figure 3.

Y

US 2005 23546 A1 (HEDRICK JOSEPH R et al.) 27.10.2005, 1-9

paragraph [0147]; figure 8.

TO

WO 2007064327 A1 (WALKER DIGITAL LLC et al.) 07.06.2007, 1-9

paragraph [0107].

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 25.10.2013

Examiner D. Cavia del Olmo Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201131738 Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) G07F Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC, WPI State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201131738 Date of Completion of Written Opinion: 10.25.2013 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-9 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-9 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201131738 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

US 2011151979 A1 (BOESEN JOHN LESLIE et al.) 06-23.2011

D02

US 2005 23546 A1 (HEDRICK JOSEPH R et al.) 10/27/2005

D03

WO 2007064327 A1 (WALKER DIGITAL LLC et al.) 07.06.2007

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement D01 is considered the state of the art document closest to the object of the claimed application. Following the wording of independent claim number 1, D01 describes a recreational machine that allows a game to be interrupted and subsequently restored at a certain point (see summary) and which includes, among others, the following technical elements: - A user interface comprising (see figure 3, reference 120):

o At least one screen (see reference 106 in figure 3)

o Controls (see references 107 and 115 in figure 3)

o A transmitter for user identification (see reference 114 in figure 3) which, in one of the possible embodiments, may be a personal identification magnetic card (see paragraph [0147]). -Means of communication between the user interface and the controller of the recreational machine (see paragraph [0120]). - Storage media (comprising a RAM memory; see paragraph [0122]) capable of storing data related to the departure of a user. In relation to independent claim number 1 and taking into account the content of D01, it is considered that the main difference between R1 and D01 is that in D01 there is no mention that the user interface constitutes a peripheral device that allows the game to be restarted. from a remote location but said user interface is located in the recreational machine itself. In this sense, it is recommended to read D02, belonging to the same technical field, which describes a recreational machine equipped with peripheral devices that allow the player to follow the game from a remote location (see paragraph [0147] and figure 8) and that communicate wirelessly with the recreational machine in question. Based on the above, it is considered that the person skilled in the art would combine the technical characteristics described in D01 (that is, the components that constitute the user interface as well as the possibility of interrupting the game to resume it later) with the technical characteristics described in D02 (peripheral device for the remote operation of the recreational machine) in order to obtain the technical result claimed in R1 without the application of inventive activity. Therefore, R1 lacks inventive activity within the meaning of Article 8.1 of the Patent Law. With regard to the dependent claims numbers 2, 3 and 5, it is considered that they lack inventive activity in the same way as the independent claim on which they depend since the technical elements they introduce or have already been described in the documents D01 or D02 that are cited as being closest to the state of the art or constitute implicit technical characteristics (as is the case of the personal identification card reader in R5). In relation to the dependent claims numbers 4, 6 and 7, it is considered that they lack inventive activity within the meaning of Article 8.1 of the Patent Law since the technical characteristics they introduce are considered design options that the person skilled in the art would consider for the case in question without the application of inventive activity and which, on the other hand, are common within the technical sector in question. In this sense, it is recommended to read document D03, belonging to the same technical field in which images of the player are taken by means of a camera in order to identify it (see paragraph [0107]). Following the wording of the independent claim of procedure number 8, D01 is considered the closest document within the state of the art. D01 describes a procedure for the reestablishment of a game in a recreational machine comprising the following stages (see figure 8 and claims 1 to 34): - Store the data relating to a game by identifying different game states at different points of the game. -Recover at a later time the data related to a game (either at the point where it was interrupted or at some other point of interest) to resume it on the machine. In relation to independent claim number 8, and taking into account the content of D01, it is considered that the main differences between R8 and D01 are as follows: - While in D01 it is not explicitly mentioned that the identification of the user for the re-establishment of the game, it is carried out by means of a security reader in the machine or in the peripheral device (although other means of interaction are mentioned to receive the request to restore a game such as the use of the touch screen or the keyboard for the introduction of the game state identifier; see paragraph [0145]) this is considered a design option that the person skilled in the art would consider for the case in question without the application of inventive activity. -As in the case of R1, it is not contemplated in D01 the possibility that the game can be retaken from a remote device. According to reasoning analogous to that performed for R1, the combination of the technical characteristics of D01 and D02 would be evident to the person skilled in the art in order to achieve the technical result claimed in R8 so R8 is considered to lack inventive activity in the sense of Article 8.1 of the Patent Law. With regard to dependent claim number 9, the technical elements that it introduces are considered design options that do not themselves provide inventive activity following reasoning analogous to that proposed for R7.

State of the Art Report Page 4/4