Automated Midway Game Machine with Virtual Attendant
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and unreliability of human attendants in midway-style electronic games pose a significant drawback for commercializing these games, as they are needed to administer and oversee gameplay, prevent cheating, and manage player interactions, which can be labor-intensive and costly.
Innovation Solution
The development of an automated midway-style electronic game machine equipped with a lower cabinet, target cabinet, sensor arrays, and an electronic display that provides instructions and tracks gameplay, eliminating the need for a human attendant by detecting authorized attempts and dispensing rewards, while a virtual attendant device interacts with players through audio and video instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human attendants are used to administer and oversee midway-style games, then gameplay management and cheating prevention are effective, but labor costs increase and operational reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The game machine is designed to automatically perform functions previously requiring human attendants. The system self-monitors gameplay, tracks authorized attempts, detects cheating through sensor arrays, and manages prize distribution without human intervention, thereby improving reliability while eliminating the complexity of human resource management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human attendants with an automated electronic system comprising controllers, sensor arrays, and communication modules. This substitution eliminates human-related reliability issues while the electronic system provides consistent, error-free operation
2Ease of operation
If human attendants are hired to manage gameplay, then player interactions are supervised, but labor costs become steep and staffing reliability becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs all gameplay management functions independently - tracking authorized attempts, monitoring player actions through sensors, validating game rules, and managing prizes. This eliminates the need for human labor while maintaining ease of operation through automated processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual attendant system that acts as an intermediary between players and the game machine. This virtual intermediary provides player interaction, guidance, and supervision through audio/video interfaces, replacing human attendants while maintaining ease of operation
3Reliability
If sensor arrays and automated detection systems are implemented, then unauthorized attempts are prevented and gameplay is managed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple mechanical monitoring with sophisticated sensor arrays and electronic detection systems. These systems use optical sensors, motion detectors, and communication modules to automatically detect and prevent cheating, providing superior reliability despite increased electronic system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The automated detection system continuously monitors gameplay through sensor arrays and provides real-time feedback to the controller. The system detects unauthorized attempts, validates player actions, and adjusts game state accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that enhances cheating prevention reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The automated game machine effectively manages gameplay, prevents unauthorized attempts, and provides a seamless player experience, reducing labor costs and ensuring consistent operation, thus enabling the commercialization of midway-style games without the need for human attendants.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor array is configured to detect interruptions in a detection area located between the counter section and the target cabinet
Data Source
AI summary
An attendant-free midway-style electronic game machine. The game machine may be configured to detect when a projectile has been actuated towards the target. 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. And, a virtual attendant display is provided, in electronic communication with a game controller, to greet and instruct and interact with players in playing the game.