Stephen Todd Shoemaker

US Patent:

6991230, Jan 31, 2006

Filed:

Nov 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/990308

Inventors:

Stephen P. Shoemaker - Redondo Beach CA, US

International Classification:

A63F 7/00

US Classification:

273108, 273126 R, 273356, 273127 D

Abstract:

An amusement device in the form of an arcade game is disclosed that comprises a rotating playing field arrayed with targets at the perimeter. Using a projectile such as a token or coin, the player drops the projectile into a chute in an attempt to knock down the targets on the rotating playing field. If the player knocks over a target with the projectile, the target is recognized by a detector and then returned to its original position for subsequent play.

US Patent:

7168702, Jan 30, 2007

Filed:

Jul 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/184473

Inventors:

Stephen P. Shoemaker - Redondo Beach CA, US

International Classification:

A63F 7/00

US Classification:

2731381, 273445

Abstract:

An arcade type amusement device is disclosed including a skill portion wherein a projectile such as a token is aimed at a target via a guidance mechanism such as an elongate chute. A deflector may be used to alter the path of the projectile, where the deflector is intermittently present along the trajectory of the projectile so as to require timing to engage the deflector. Upon a successful strike of the target, a ball is released down a helical track toward a rotating playing field interspersed with holes assigned various values. When a ball reaches the rotating playing field, it will rebound and roll until it falls within one of said holes, whereupon a point value is awarded based on the particular value of the hole. The player may receiver redemption tickets or points based on the point value awarded.

US Patent:

20020056772, May 16, 2002

Filed:

Nov 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/008878

Inventors:

Stephen Shoemaker - Redondo Beach CA, US

International Classification:

B02B001/00

US Classification:

241/055000, 241/063000, 241/068000, 241/200000

Abstract:

A system suitable for counting strings of arcade type tickets comprising a transport mechanism, a sensing system for reading bar coded information and counting marks, a computer program and computer to tally, sort and compile management reports, and a video monitor to display the counting results, or additionally, display entertainment items or advertising to the customer while using the counter. The transport mechanism is especially designed to handle the new “paper” style tickets and is capable of handling tickets of varying sizes.

US Patent:

20020069740, Jun 13, 2002

Filed:

Dec 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/023372

Inventors:

Stephen Shoemaker - Redondo Beach CA, US

International Classification:

B26D007/06

US Classification:

083/436100, 083/407000

Abstract:

A ticket destruction mechanism for use with paper tickets comprises a ticket moving mechanism and a cutting mechanism disposed within a housing. The ticket moving mechanism carries paper tickets inserted into a slot in the housing from the slot to the cutting mechanism where they are destroyed. The ticket moving mechanism includes two continuous belts, each disposed around two rollers, with the two belts set parallel one another. In operation, the adjoining portions of each belt move together in the same direction to carry tickets towards the cutting mechanism. The cutting mechanism comprises a cutting gear configured to turn at a high rotation rate. At least one cutting blade is configured to protrude from the cutting gear. The cutting mechanism is set at a second end of the ticket moving mechanism, distal the slot in the housing. The cutting mechanism is oriented such that the protruding cutting blade will intersect a strip of tickets as it is fed out of the second end of the ticket moving mechanism. The rapidly rotating blade slices the paper tickets into many smaller pieces.

US Patent:

20020074406, Jun 20, 2002

Filed:

Aug 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/935055

Inventors:

Stephen Shoemaker - Redondo Beach CA, US

International Classification:

G06K007/10
G06K015/00

US Classification:

235/462130

Abstract:

A method to count tickets is provided that includes providing a translucent ticket with an opaque pattern with translucent portions, providing a light source on a first side of the ticket, providing a detector on a second side of the ticket and providing relative motion between the ticket and the detector. The pattern and translucent portions are detected with the detector.

US Patent:

20050043073, Feb 24, 2005

Filed:

Aug 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/645207

Inventors:

Stephen Shoemaker - Redondo Beach CA, US

International Classification:

A63F009/24

US Classification:

463007000

Abstract:

An amusement device characterized by a crane mechanism maneuverable within a target bin by a player includes targets having a circular profile of varying diameters. A game value is associated with each target according to the diameter size of the target, and a ticket dispenser is provided for dispensing tickets of a number or value corresponding to the value of a captured target value.

US Patent:

20080116631, May 22, 2008

Filed:

Nov 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/603535

Inventors:

Stephen Shoemaker - Redondo Beach CA, US

International Classification:

A63B 71/00

US Classification:

2731383

Abstract:

An arcade game is disclosed having a rotating roulette type wheel with holes along a concentric circle of the upper face, and a coin track for carrying a coin from a player to the roulette type wheel at the position of the holes, which serve as targets. An optical sensor signals a microprocessor that a coin is entering the rotating playing field, and a second optical detector detects the nearest target and communicates a target value to the microprocessor. The microprocessor compares the timing of the coin passing through the coin track and the passage of the most proximal target, and awards the target value of the time between the two events is within a predetermined interval.

US Patent:

59678925, Oct 19, 1999

Filed:

Jun 4, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/871852

Inventors:

Stephen P. Shoemaker - Redondo Beach CA

International Classification:

A63F 922

US Classification:

463 7

Abstract:

A video crane game including a display device, such as a video screen, for displaying images. A mechanical crane-like device provided over the display device includes an x-y assembly for allowing a player to control the movement of a selection head in an x-y plane. A z-movement device causes the selection head to move in a z-direction toward and away from the images of the display device. A sensor detects a location of the selection head with respect to the images displayed on the display device when the head is moved just above or contacts the display. A game controller controls the display of the images and determines a game outcome based on the location of the selection head with respect to the displayed images. The displayed images may include multiple selectable image targets, such as prize images associated with a prize, penalty areas, or images associated with a point score. A dispenser dispensing an award to a player of the game apparatus, such as tickets or prizes.