Interactive playfield feature for pinball games

Details Interactive playfield feature for pinball games Interactive playfield feature for pinball games

1991-04-26

1992-06-23

Grieb, William H.

Amusement devices: games

Surface projectile game; game element

Ball games

273127R, 273127C, 273127D, A63F 730

Patent

active

051236478

ABSTRACT:
The present invention is a computer-controlled interactive playfield feature for pinball games. The system microprocessor monitors activity on the playfield and controls the interactive playfield feature, directing the player's attention to specific targets and activities on the playfield. The playfield feature operates in conjunction with a speech synthesizer, which may be programmed to taunt and challenge game player, increasing player appeal. In a preferred embodiment, the interactive playfield feature is in the shape of a jocular human head. The mouth, eyelids and eyes are movable under microprocessor control. The mouth serves as a ball target. When the player successfully shoots the ball in the mouth, a solenoid ball ejector returns the ball to the playfield. The eyes may be programmed to follow the travel of the pinball on the playfield.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4030555 (1977-06-01), Boyce et al.
patent: 4272649 (1981-06-01), Pfeiffer
patent: 4354680 (1982-10-01), Kmiec
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patent: 4620706 (1986-11-01), Ijidakinro
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patent: 4840375 (1989-06-01), Lawlor et al.
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"Popular Science" article, Aug. 1980, pp. 54-58, 116.

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