Method and system for detecting prize collection in skill-type prize collection devices

Abstract

An amusement-type prize-play device is provided. The device includes a housing defining a prize area for containing one or more prizes for winning as a result of the play of the device, a moveable prize play mechanism, at least one player input device, a prize collection area, at least one optical prize collection sensor configured to detect the presence of a prize at the prize collection area, and a controller configured to receive the input from the player and cause the moveable prize play mechanism to move at least in part based upon the input. The controller is also configured to receive an output of the optical prize collection sensor and generate a prize-winning outcome when the optical prize collection sensor detects the prize at the prize collection area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An amusement-type prize-play device comprising:
 a housing defining a prize area for containing one or more prizes for winning as a result of the play of the amusement-type game device;   a moveable prize play mechanism;   at least one player input device, said at least one player input device comprising a device for receiving input from a player to control said movable prize play mechanism;   a prize collection area;   at least one optical prize collection sensor configured to detect the presence of a prize at the prize collection area; and   a controller configured to receive said input from said player and cause said moveable prize play mechanism to move at least in part based upon said input, to receive an output of said at least one optical prize collection sensor and to generate a prize-winning outcome when said at least one optical prize collection sensor detects said prize at said prize collection area.   
     
     
         2 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said movable prize play mechanism comprises a crane. 
     
     
         3 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said movable prize play mechanism comprises a claw. 
     
     
         4 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one optical sensor comprises a light emitter and an associated light detector. 
     
     
         5 . The device in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein said light emitter emits a light beam. 
     
     
         6 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said prize collection area comprises a tray. 
     
     
         7 . The device in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said tray has one or more sides and said at least one optical sensor is associated with said sides. 
     
     
         8 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said prizes in said prize area are tangible items. 
     
     
         9 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said prize-winning outcome comprises awarding said prize to said player. 
     
     
         10 . The device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said prize-winning outcome comprises the dispensing of a prize ticket to said player. 
     
     
         11 . A method of generating a prize-winning outcome with an amusement-type prize-play device, comprising:
 receiving input from a player to control a movable prize play mechanism with at least one player input device;   moving said movable prize play mechanism at least in part based on said input in order to move a prize from a prize area to a prize collection area;   using at least one optical prize collection sensor to detect the presence of the prize in the prize collection area;   receiving an output of said at least one optical prize collection sensor corresponding to the presence of the prize in the prize collection area; and   generating a prize-winning outcome based on the output.   
     
     
         12 . The method in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said at least one player input device comprises a joystick. 
     
     
         13 . The method in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein moving said movable prize play mechanism comprises:
 grabbing said prize with said movable prize play mechanism from the prize area;   lifting the prize with said movable prize play mechanism from the prize area; and   moving the prize to the prize collection area with said movable prize play mechanism.   
     
     
         14 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said movable prize play mechanism comprises a claw. 
     
     
         15 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said movable prize play mechanism comprises a crane. 
     
     
         16 . The method in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said at least one optical sensor comprises a light emitter and an associated light detector. 
     
     
         17 . The method in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein using said at least one optical prize collection sensor comprises emitting a light beam with said light emitter and detecting said light beam with said light detector. 
     
     
         18 . The method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein said light emitter and said light detector are combined such that said light detector is configured to detect the light beam after the light beam has been reflected off of said prize and back to said light detector. 
     
     
         19 . The method in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein using said at least one optical prize collection sensor comprises emitting a light beam with said light emitter and not detecting said light beam at said light detector because said light beam is blocked by said prize. 
     
     
         20 . The method in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said prize collection area comprises a tray, and wherein said tray has one or more sides and said at least one optical sensor is associated with said sides.