Virtual attendant game machine
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.
1 . A game system comprising:
a game machine configured to enable a gameplay session, the gameplay session having a start and an end;
a display screen;
a database of audio/video media files adapted to play on the display screen; and
a control unit operatively connected to the display screen, the game machine, and the database, wherein the control unit is configured to;
retrieve information from the game machine about a status of a gameplay session, said status comprising at least one of: whether the gameplay session is ready to start, whether the gameplay session is in progress, and whether the gameplay session has ended;
retrieve an appropriate one of said media files from the database based on the status of the gameplay session; and
play the media file on the display screen.
2 . The game system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of a person near the game machine, wherein the control unit is configured to play a media file on the display screen in response to the sensor detecting the presence of a person.
3 . The game system of claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a lidar sensor.
4 . The game system of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to play a media file on the display screen in response to the occurrence of a stage of a gameplay session or an action taken by a player.
5 . The game system of claim 1 , wherein:
the game system further comprises a control panel that comprises at least one button;
each button of the control panel is associated with a media file in the database; and
upon a button of the control panel being pressed, the control unit is configured to play the media file associated with the pressed button on the display screen.
6 . The virtual attendant device of claim 1 , wherein:
the electronic game machine comprises a payment device and a logic board;
at least one of the payment device and the logic board is configured to transmit information about payment received to the control unit; and
the control unit is configured to retrieve an appropriate media file from the database based on the information received and play that media file on the display screen.
7 . The game system of claim 1 , wherein:
the database of media files comprises a media file associated with the end of a gameplay session; and
the control unit is configured to play the media file associated with the end of a gameplay session on the display screen when it retrieves information from the game machine indicating that a gameplay session is nearing its end or has already ended.
8 . The game system of claim 7 , wherein:
the media file associated with the end of a gameplay session comprises at least one of:
a countdown timer;
a game win indication;
a game lose indication; and
an invitation to play again.
9 . The game system of claim 2 , wherein:
the at least one sensor comprises a sensor configured to determine the distance between the game machine and a person in the vicinity of the game machine;
the database comprises a media file that is associated with a predetermined distance; and
the control unit is configured to play said media file when the sensor detects a person at the predetermined distance.
10 . The game system of claim 2 , wherein:
the database of media files comprises a media file of gameplay rules and instructions; and
the control unit is configured to play the media file of gameplay rules and instructions on the display screen when a sensor detects a player.