Entertainment System

Abstract

A personal entertainment system is disclosed for providing multiple electronic applications for gaming, education, entertainment, business and interaction among users. It includes a cabinet with a user control panel. One or more display screens display a plurality of features singularly and concurrently. Multiple devices provide user input, output, and interaction such as programmable function keys, at least one touch screen, ticket in and ticket out, receipt printing, and television via satellite, cable or other connection, and a dedicated advertising screen with its own associated interaction button. One or more secured cashless devices activate the system and access a user's account for credits, payments, and other selective information. A 3 dimensional stereo sound system and microphone input is provided to enhance selected applications. Edge effect lighting along the cabinet enhances appearance, highlights particular systems and provides system status information. An optional chair includes other devices for sound, game control, and comfort.

1 . A personal entertainment system for providing multiple electronic features and options including gaming, pure entertainment, education and business applications for a player thereof, said system comprising: 
 a console cabinet having a back element and defining a customizable and configurable enclosure with a front opening;    a control panel projecting outwardly from said back element toward said front opening;    at least one display screen positioned on said back element above said control panel and viewable by a player from said front opening, said display screen being adapted to display one or more of a plurality of electronic games and other applications selectively available to a player;    at least one input device comprised of at least one touch screen and/or a set of a plurality of programmable format keys for use in selecting one or more games to be played and displayed on said display screen;    at least one main touch screen positioned on said control panel;    a set of a plurality of programmable control keys for use in activating a plurality of functions associated with said touch screen, said main touch screen functions including interaction with said display screen, interaction with facilities remote to said console, and for use in selecting one or more games to be played and displayed on said touch screen;    a secured smart access activation member disposed along said control panel or front opening for activating said system and adaptable for accessing preselected information concerning a player's credit and payment information and other selective information; and    means for connecting a display screen to a remote program including a video program and a television broadcast program for selective operation by a player.    
   
   
       2 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said system includes three display screens aligned substantially side by side across said back element, at least one touch screen and a pair of said sets of programmable format keys, each said set of programmable format keys being positioned on said control panel below and associated with an outwardly positioned display screen for interacting with said associated outwardly positioned display screen.  
   
   
       3 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said three display screens are controlled by said main touch screen, said auxiliary touch screen, and said set of programmable control keys positioned on said control panel below said touch screen.  
   
   
       4 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said system further comprises a receipt printer associated with said control panel for printing receipts for services and items coordinated by said control keys and received by a player while utilizing said system.  
   
   
       5 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said system printer becomes a Ticket in Ticket out device for receipt of ticket credits in addition to the other printer functions.  
   
   
       6 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said system includes a pin entry associated with said main touch screen and said smart access activation member.  
   
   
       7 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said system is adapted for multiple concurrent use in providing multiple electronic activities simultaneously while being displayed on one or more of said display screens and touch screen.  
   
   
       8 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said a set of programmable control keys includes a key for ordering food delivery from said remote facilities to said console cabinet, a key for ordering liquid refreshment delivery from said remote facilities to said console cabinet, a video play key, a television play key, and a pause key for suspending player interaction for player breaks while gaming and other activities continue.  
   
   
       9 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said system contains an auxiliary touch screen providing virtual programmable control keys includes a key for ordering food delivery from said remote facilities to said console cabinet, a key for ordering liquid refreshment delivery from said remote facilities to said console cabinet, a video play key, a television play key, and a pause key for suspending player interaction for player breaks while gaming and other activities continue.  
   
   
       10 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 8  and  claim 9 , wherein said remote facilities include a restaurant and bar located in a building environment containing said system, and wherein said system includes a virtual restaurant display associated with said key for ordering food delivery and a virtual bar display associated with said key for ordering liquid refreshment delivery, said virtual displays being exhibited on one said display screen, said virtual restaurant and said virtual bar displays reflecting the actual counterpart facilities in the building environment wherein said system is located.  
   
   
       11 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said system is adapted to interact with other remotely located entertainment systems for head-to-head gaming and other activities.  
   
   
       12 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said system is adapted to interact with other remotely located students and instructors in an educational environment. Said students include military personnel for virtual accelerated learning to include mission briefings, tactical and strategic planning, and other virtual learning applications.  
   
   
       13 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said system is adapted to interact with other remotely located persons for conferencing, groups discussions, and other telecommunications.  
   
   
       14 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said control panel is oriented angularly downwardly relative to said back element and contoured for a terrain effect in a manner to substantially inhibit placement of articles thereon, and wherein said cabinet and control panel include molded and contoured corners and edges to substantially eliminate sharp edges and points.  
   
   
       15 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said system further comprises a chair fixed relative to said console at said console enclosure front opening for use by a player when operating said system.  
   
   
       16 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said chair is height and distance adjustable relative to said cabinet, and wherein said chair includes first and second movable and foldable armrests along with a contained sound system interacting with said display and touch screens.  
   
   
       17 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said first and second armrests selectively include a beverage holder, a smokeless ashtray, a foldable tray, and a storage compartment for personal articles.  
   
   
       18 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said beverage holder contains an active device for heating or cooling said beverage.  
   
   
       19 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said cabinet further comprises a footrest disposed beneath said console, and a cooling element disposed beneath said console for aerating a player's feet and legs.  
   
   
       20 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a small flat panel screen is disposed on said control panel offset from said main touch screen for providing selective advertising information to a player.  
   
   
       21 . The entertainment system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a small flat panel screen is disposed on said control panel offset from said main touch screen for providing virtual programmable control keys,  
   
   
       22 . A video-based electronic gaming and other system for providing multiple, simultaneous electronic game activities for a player thereof and having chameleonic-like adaptation capability to blend in with the environment in which said system is placed, said system comprising: 
 a console cabinet enclosure having a back element and side elements forming a partial enclosure with a front opening, and a control panel projecting outwardly from said back element toward said front opening, said cabinet outer surface material being formed from thermoform plastic or other materials and manufacturing processes as appropriate having graphics and colors reflecting and adapting to the environment in which said cabinet is placed, and said control panel being oriented angularly downwardly relative to said back and side elements and contoured for a terrain effect in a manner to substantially inhibit placement of beverage containers and other articles thereon;    a plurality of three display screens aligned substantially adjacent each other across said back element above said control panel and viewable by a player from said front opening, said display screens being adapted to display one or more of a plurality of electronic games selectively available to a player;    two sets of a plurality of programmable format keys positioned on said control panel, each said set of format keys being associated with an outwardly positioned display screen for interacting with said associated outwardly positioned display screen for use in selecting one or more games to be played and displayed on the associated display screen;    at least one main touch screen positioned on said control panel;    a set of a plurality of programmable control keys positioned on said control panel below said main touch screen for use in activating a plurality of functions associated with said touch screen, said main touch screen functions including interaction with said display screen, interaction with facilities remote to said console within the environment in which said system is placed, and for use in selecting one or more games to be played and displayed on said touch screen;    an auxiliary touch screen providing virtual programmable control keys positioned on said control panel beside said main touch screen for use in activating a plurality of functions associated with said touch screen, said main touch screen functions including interaction with said display screen, interaction with facilities remote to said console within the environment in which said system is placed, and for use in selecting one or more games to be played and displayed on said touch screen;    a secured smart access activation member disposed along said control panel or front opening for activating said system and for accessing preselected information on a player smart card concerning a player's credit and payment information and other selective information;    means for connecting a display screen to a remote program including a video program and a television broadcast program for selective operation by a player using said format keys; and    a chair fixed relative to said console at said console enclosure front opening for use by a player when operating said system.    
   
   
       23 . The gaming and other system as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said system is networked together with other said systems in the environment in which said system is placed and controlled by a core system in said environment.  
   
   
       24 . The gaming and other system as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said plurality of electronic gaming and other activities are controlled by selection from said programmable function keys and are variably selected from the group consisting of bingo, progressive bingo, pull tabs, punch boards, arcade games, video poker, video blackjack, sports betting, off-track betting, keno, video slots and head-to-head gaming and other.  
   
   
       25 . The gaming and other system as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said set of programmable control keys includes a key for ordering food delivery to said console cabinet from said remote facilities in the environment in which said system is placed, a key for ordering liquid refreshment delivery to said console cabinet from said remote facilities in the environment in which said system is placed, a selective video play key, a television play key, and a pause key for suspending player interaction for player breaks while gaming and other activities continue.  
   
   
       26 . The gaming and other system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said remote facilities include a restaurant and bar located in a building environment containing said system, and wherein said system includes a virtual restaurant display associated with said control key for ordering food delivery and a virtual bar display associated with said control key for ordering liquid refreshment delivery, said virtual displays being exhibited on one said display screen with said virtual restaurant and said virtual bar displays reflecting the actual counterpart facilities in the building environment wherein said system is located.  
   
   
       27 . The gaming and other system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said system includes electro magnetic interference shielding disposed thereon to prevent external interference with the electronic gaming and other activities of said system from other proximate systems as well as outside entities.  
   
   
       28 . The gaming and other system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said chameleonic-like adaptation capability comprises said cabinet enclosure graphic and color selection and said plurality of electronic gaming and other activities variably selected for operation by said system to suit and reflect the facility environment in which said system is placed.  
   
   
       29 . The gaming and other system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said system is adapted to interact with other remotely located gaming and other systems for head-to-head gaming and other activities.  
   
   
       30 . The gaming and other system as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said head-to-head gaming and other activities are displayed on all three display screens as one elongated, continuous image.  
   
   
       31 . The gaming and other system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said chair is height and distance adjustable relative to said cabinet enclosure and wherein said chair includes first and second movable and foldable arms along with a contained sound system interacting with said display and touch screens, said first and second arms including a beverage holder, a smokeless ashtray, a foldable tray, and a storage compartment for personal articles.  
   
   
       32 . The gaming and other system as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein said cabinet enclosure further comprises a footrest disposed beneath said console, and a cooling element disposed beneath said console for aerating the feet and legs of a player seated in said chair.  
   
   
       33 . A video-based electronic device for providing multiple, simultaneous electronic gambling, educational, and business activities for a player thereof, said device having chameleonic-like adaptation capabilities to blend in with the facility environment in which said device is placed, said device comprising: 
 a console cabinet defined by a back member and a pair of side elements projecting therefrom forming a partial enclosure with a front opening, said cabinet having an outer surface formed from a thermoform plastic or other materials and manufacturing processes as appropriate having selectively variable graphics and colors reflecting and adapting to the facility environment in which said cabinet is placed;    a control panel projecting outwardly from the inner surface of said back member toward said front opening and oriented angularly downwardly relative to said back member and side elements, said control panel being contoured for a terrain surface effect in a manner to substantially inhibit placement of beverage containers and other articles thereon, the outer surface of said control panel including thermoform plastic having selectively variable graphics and colors also reflecting and adapting to the facility environment in which said cabinet is placed;    a plurality of three display screens aligned substantially adjacent each other along the inner surface of said back member above said control panel and viewable by a player from said front opening, said display screens being adapted to display one or more of a plurality of electronic games selectively available to a player, said display screens operating and displaying images independent of each other as well as jointly together in one large display image;    at least one main touch screen positioned on said control panel;    a chameleonic-like adaptation feature in the form of said cabinet enclosure graphic and color selection as well as said plurality of electronic gambling activities variably pre-selected for operation by said device to suit and reflect the facility environment in which said device is placed;    a pair of sets of programmable format keys positioned on said control panel, each said set of format keys having a plurality of format keys associated with one of two outwardly positioned display screens for interacting with said associated outwardly positioned display screen for use in selecting one or more games to be played and displayed on the associated display screen;    a set of a plurality of programmable control keys positioned on said control panel below said main touch screen for use in activating a plurality of functions associated with said touch screen, said main touch screen functions including interaction with said display screens, interaction with facilities remote to said device within the facility environment in which said device is placed, and for use in selecting one or more games to be played and displayed on said touch screen;    an auxiliary touch screen providing virtual programmable control keys positioned on said control panel beside said main touch screen for use in activating a plurality of functions associated with said touch screen, said main touch screen functions including interaction with said display screen, interaction with facilities remote to said console within the environment in which said system is placed, and for use in selecting one or more games to be played and displayed on said touch screen;    a secured smart access activation member disposed along said control panel for activating said device and for accessing preselected information on a player smart card concerning a player's credit limits, winnings, purchases, and other payment and variably selective information;    means for connecting one or more of said display screens to a remote program including a video program and a television broadcast program for selective operation by a player using said format keys while simultaneously continuing to participate in said electronic gambling and other activities;    electro mechanic interference shielding means surrounding said device to prevent electronic intervention and intrusion from other said devices disposed proximate thereto as well as to prevent electronic tampering with the operation of said gambling activities; and    a chair fixed relative to said console cabinet at said console enclosure front opening for use by a player when operating said system and adapted for providing player comfort for extended sitting periods.    
   
   
       34 . The device as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein said facility environment has additional remote facilities therein including a restaurant and a bar, wherein said set of programmable control keys includes a key for ordering food delivery to said device from said remote facilities, a key for ordering liquid refreshment delivery to said device from said remote facilities, a selective video play key, a television play key, and a pause key for suspending player interaction for player breaks while gaming and other activities continue, and wherein said system includes a virtual restaurant display associated with said control key for ordering food delivery and a virtual bar display associated with said control key for ordering liquid refreshment delivery, said virtual displays being exhibited on one said display screen with said virtual restaurant and said virtual bar displays reflecting the actual counterpart remote facilities.  
   
   
       35 . The device as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein said device is networked together with other similar said devices in the facility environment in which said device is placed, said devices being controlled by a core processing system in said facility environment, and wherein said plurality of electronic gaming and other activities are controlled by selection from said programmable function keys and are variably selected from the group consisting of bingo, progressive bingo, pull tabs, punch boards, arcade games, poker, blackjack, sports betting, off-track betting, keno, slots and head-to-head gaming and other.  
   
   
       36 . The device as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein said device is adapted to interact with other remotely located gaming and other devices located within and without said facility environment for head-to-head gaming and other activities, and wherein said head-to-head gaming and other activities are displayed on all three display screens as one elongated, continuous image.  
   
   
       37 . The device as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein said electronic gaming and other activities include bingo played within said facility environment and off-track betting interacting with facilities remote to said facility environment.  
   
   
       38 . A video-based electronic gambling device for providing third party outside systems such as, but not limited to, bingo and off-track betting gambling activities in selective combinations for a player thereof, said device having chameleonic-like adaptation capabilities to blend in with the facility environment in which said device is placed, said device comprising: 
 a console cabinet defined by a back member and a pair of side elements projecting therefrom forming a partial enclosure with a front opening, said cabinet having an outer surface formed from a thermoform plastic having selectively variable graphics and colors reflecting and adapting to the facility environment in which said cabinet is placed;    a control panel projecting outwardly from the inner surface of said back member toward said front opening and oriented angularly downwardly relative to said back member and side elements, said control panel being contoured for a terrain surface effect in a manner to substantially inhibit placement of beverage containers and other articles thereon, the outer surface of said control panel including thermoform plastic having selectively variable graphics and colors also reflecting and adapting to the facility environment in which said cabinet is placed;    a plurality of three display screens aligned substantially adjacent each other along the inner surface of said back member above said control panel and viewable by a player from said front opening, said display screens being adapted to display one or more of said bingo and off-track gambling activities selectively available to a player, said display screens operating and displaying images independent of each other as well as jointly together in one large display image;    at least one main touch screen positioned on said control panel;    a chameleonic-like adaptation feature in the form of said cabinet enclosure graphic and color selection as well as said plurality of electronic gambling activities variably pre-selected for operation by said device to suit and reflect the facility environment in which said device is placed;    a pair of sets of programmable format keys positioned on said control panel, each said set of format keys having a plurality of format keys associated with one of two outwardly positioned display screens for interacting with said associated outwardly positioned display screen for use in selecting one or more of said gambling activities to be played and displayed on the associated display screen;    a set of a plurality of programmable control keys positioned on said control panel below said main touch screen for use in activating a plurality of functions associated with said touch screen, said main touch screen functions including interaction with said display screens, interaction with facilities remote to said device within the facility environment in which said device is placed, and for use in selecting one or more of said gambling activities to be played and displayed on said touch screen;    an auxiliary touch screen providing virtual programmable control keys positioned on said control panel beside said main touch screen for use in activating a plurality of functions associated with said touch screen, said main touch screen functions including interaction with said display screen, interaction with facilities remote to said console within the environment in which said system is placed, and for use in selecting one or more games to be played and displayed on said touch screen;    a secured smart access activation member disposed along said control panel for activating said device and for accessing pre-selected information on a player smart card concerning a player's credit limits, winnings, purchases, and other payment and variably selective information;    electro mechanic interference shielding means surrounding said device to prevent electronic intervention and intrusion from other said devices disposed proximate thereto as well as to prevent electronic tampering with the operation of said gambling activities; and    a chair fixed relative to said console cabinet at said console enclosure front opening for use by a player when operating said system and adapted for providing player comfort for extended sitting periods.