Abstract

An apparatus and method for awarding prizes to equipment users during off-peak hours of an establishment. A plurality of machines, such as coin laundry washing machines or dryers, are all coupled through an activity interface to a master control unit. The master control unit comprises a timer, a counter, a display, and signal means to signal award of a prize. The timer runs until a preset time interval expires, and then triggers the counter to select a random number representing one of the machines coupled to the master control unit. The master control unit determines whether the selected machine is operating by querying the activity interface corresponding to the selected machine. If the machine is operating, the signal means is triggered to audibly or visually award a prize. If the selected machine is not operating, another machine is selected at random. The process continues until an operating machine is selected. After a prize is awarded, the master control unit idles until it is reset, causing the timer to begin running again.