Skill cranes and other amusement vending machines having visual targeting systems
Laser-based and non-laser-based visual targeting systems for use with skill cranes and other amusement vending machines are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an amusement vending machine includes a see-through enclosure containing at least one prize. A user-operable controller, such as a joystick, positioned on the outside of the enclosure is operably connected to a pick-up device, such as a claw, positioned within the enclosure. Selective operation of the controller causes the pick-up device to move within the enclosure and perform a prize pick-up maneuver. In one aspect of this embodiment, the amusement machine further includes a visual targeting system that provides a visual indication of the position of the pick-up device relative to the prize to assist the player in positioning the pick-up device before attempting the prize pick-up maneuver.
1. An amusement vending machine comprising:
an enclosure having a transparent portion;
at least one prize positioned within the enclosure, wherein the at least one prize is visible from outside the enclosure through the transparent portion;
a user-operable prize selecting device movably positioned within the enclosure; and
a laser operably coupled to the prize selecting device, wherein the laser provides a visual indication of the position of the prize selecting device relative to at least one prize and a target associated with the prize.
2. The amusement vending machine of claim 1 wherein the laser provides a visual indication of the vertical alignment of the prize selecting device relative to the target.
3. The amusement vending machine of claim 1 wherein the laser projects an image onto the target to provide a visual indication of the alignment of the prize selecting device relative to the target.
4. The amusement vending machine of claim 1 wherein the prize selecting device includes a retractable cord operably coupled to the object, and wherein prize selecting device is configured to retract the object after releasing the object onto the target.
5. The amusement vending machine of claim 1 wherein the object is a puck that is configured to drop and strike the target to win the at least one prize.
6. The amusement vending machine of claim 1 wherein the vending machine further comprises a user-operable controller positioned proximate to the enclosure and operably connected to the prize selecting device, wherein selective movement of the controller causes corresponding motion of the prize selecting device.
7. The amusement vending machine of claim 1 wherein the prize selecting device includes a releasing device, and wherein the vending machine further comprises:
a user-operable controller positioned proximate to the enclosure and operably connected to the releasing device, wherein selective movement of the controller causes corresponding motion of the releasing device; and
a switch carried by the controller and operably connected to the releasing device, wherein manipulation of the switch causes the releasing device to execute an object releasing maneuver.
8. The amusement vending machine of claim 1 wherein the laser is carried by the prize selecting device.
9. The amusement vending machine of claim 1 , further comprising at least one tube positioned in the enclosure, wherein the target is an opening in an upper portion of the tube.
10. The amusement vending machine of claim 1 , further comprising a money input region, wherein the laser is activated in response to receiving monetary input via the money input region.
11. The amusement vending machine of claim 1 wherein the target is an actuator that causes the at least one prize to be dispensed when the object contacts the actuator.
12. The amusement vending machine of claim 1 wherein the laser is mounted to the prize selecting device, and wherein the amusement vending machine further comprises:
a joystick positioned proximate to the enclosure and operably connected to the prize selecting device, wherein movement of the controller in one direction causes corresponding motion of the prize selecting device in the same direction; and
a button positioned on the joystick, wherein depressing the button causes the prize selecting device to drop the object at least generally toward the target.
13. An amusement machine comprising:
an enclosure;
at least one prize;
a movable prize selecting device positioned within the enclosure;
a user-operable controller positioned proximate to the enclosure and operably connected to the prize selecting device, wherein selective operation of the controller causes the prize selecting device to move within the enclosure and perform a prize selection maneuver including dropping an object toward a target associated with the prize; and
a visual targeting system operably coupled to the prize selecting device, wherein the visual targeting system provides an indication of the position of the prize selecting device relative to at least one prize and a target associated with the prize.
14. The amusement machine of claim 13 wherein the target is an opening of a tube positioned in the enclosure.
15. The amusement machine of claim 13 wherein the target is an actuator that causes the at least one prize to be dispensed.
16. The amusement machine of claim 13 wherein the visual targeting system provides a visual indication of the vertical alignment of the prize selecting device relative to at least one prize and the target associated with the prize prior to the prize selection maneuver.
17. The amusement machine of claim 13 wherein the visual targeting system includes a light source that provides a visual indication of the alignment of the prize selecting device relative to at least one prize and the target associated with the prize prior to the prize selection maneuver.
18. The amusement machine of claim 13 wherein the visual targeting system includes a laser that provides a visual indication of the alignment of the prize selecting device relative to at least one prize and the target associated with the prize prior to the prize selection maneuver.
19. The amusement machine of claim 13 wherein the visual targeting system includes a laser that projects an image onto the target associated with the prize to provide a visual indication of the alignment of the prize selecting device relative to the at least one prize and the target associated with the prize prior to the prize selection maneuver.
20. The amusement machine of claim 13 , further comprising a money input region, wherein the user-operable controller is activated in response to monetary input via the money input region.
21. The amusement machine of claim 13 wherein the visual targeting system includes a camera that provides an indication of the position of the prize selecting device relative to at least one prize and the target associated with the prize.
22. The amusement machine of claim 13 wherein the prize selection device includes a retractable cord operably coupled to the object, and wherein the prize selection device is configured to retract the object after performing the prize selection maneuver.
23. A skill crane game comprising:
an enclosure;
at least one target positioned within the enclosure;
means for releasing an object within the enclosure toward the target, wherein the means for releasing are remotely operable by a player positioned outside the enclosure; and
means for providing a visual indication of the position of the means for releasing relative to the at least one target.
24. The skill crane game of claim 23 wherein the means for providing a visual indication include a light source.
25. The skill crane game of claim 23 wherein the means for providing a visual indication include a laser light source.
26. The skill crane game of claim 23 wherein the means for releasing include a retractable cord operably coupled to the object.