Parlor game

Abstract

A parlor entertainment system includes an entertainment unit, and information management system, and an entertainment information unit. The information management system includes a processor operatively connected to a database. The entertainment information unit is in communication with at least one of the information management system and the entertainment unit. The entertainment information unit is operable to input information regarding the operation of the entertainment unit into the database.

1 . A parlor entertainment system comprising: 
 an entertainment unit;    an information management system having a processor operatively connected to a database; and    an entertainment information unit in communication with at least one of said information management system and said entertainment unit;    wherein said entertainment information unit is operable to input information regarding the operation of said entertainment unit into said database.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said system comprises an activation unit that is operable to transmit an activation signal that is received by an activation-sensing unit connected to said entertainment unit and wherein said activation sensing-unit is operable to allow a user to operate said entertainment unit when said activation-sensing unit receives said activation signal.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said entertainment information unit is in communication with both said entertainment unit and said information management system.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said entertainment information unit and said information management system are contained within the same housing.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said entertainment unit, said entertainment information unit, and said information management system are contained within the same housing.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said entertainment unit is a dart game machine.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said entertainment unit is a jukebox.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein information regarding the operation of said entertainment unit includes the results of game play on said entertainment unit.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said entertainment unit is a predictions-based game system.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an input device located at said information management system.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an input device located at said entertainment unit.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said input device comprises at least one of a keypad and a touchscreen.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said entertainment unit is at least one of a pool table, foosball table, an air hockey table, a basketball-based game, a football based game, a dart machine, and a hockey-based game.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of said entertainment unit, said entertainment information unit, and said information management system communicate via a radio frequency transmission.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said radio frequency transmission is between 315 MHz and 433.92 MHz.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein receipt of said activation signal by said activation-sensing unit is confirmed by a reception indicator.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said reception indicator comprises an audio tone.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said reception indicator comprises an indicator light.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said reception indicator comprises a message on a visual display screen operatively connected to said information management system.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said activation unit sends a redundant activation signal to ensure reception of said activation signal by said activation-sensing unit.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said information management system is operatively connected to a display screen.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said information management system is adapted to receive information about the operation of said entertainment unit from an automatic scoring processor.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said computer database is connected to a computer network to allow remote access to stored information regarding the operation of one or more of said entertainment units.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said entertainment unit or said entertainment information unit is operatively connected to a coin slide mechanism containing an electromagnet.  
   
   
       24 . A method of managing information related to operation of an entertainment unit, the method comprising: 
 linking an entertainment information unit to an entertainment unit that is separate and distinct from the entertainment information unit; and    transferring information regarding the operation of said entertainment unit into a centralized database.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the entertainment unit is a jukebox.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the entertainment unit is a dart game machine.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the information regarding operation of the entertainment unit comprises the results of game play at the entertainment unit.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the entertainment unit is a predictions-based game system.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the entertainment unit is at least one of a pool table, a foosball table, an air hockey table, a basketball-based game, a football based game, a dart machine, and a hockey-based game.