GB2423262A - Pinball game - Google Patents

Abstract

A 'Pin-Prize mechanism' comprises a display which displays a monetary or points value on a digital display which can be fitted on or near common items found in pinball games such as bumpers, targets, gates and flippers. The mechanism/s allow a pinball game or pinball type games to payout a cash prize or equivalent.

Description

-1- 2423262

PIN-PRIZE MECHANISM

Pintable games have been produced for many years. They have been popular with Players around the world. These games are generically known as pinball. All Pinball games are amusement only' this means that the player plays purely for a score. This invention allows for a pinball, or pinball type game to be played for a cash prize or equivalent.

This invention relates to a PIN-PRIZE MECHANISM' which attaches to the many regular types of object found on all existing pintables, items such as BUMPERS, GATES, FLIPPERS, TARGETS etc. The Pin-Prize mechanism's' would be attached to, or placed near such items. Positioned on and around the playfield the Pin-Prize mechanisms' display amounts of money or points on the mechanism's digital displays. The amount of money or points displayed on the Pin-Prize mechanism' change when struck by a ball.

The Pin-Prize mechanism' in an AWP type pinball game (amusement with prize game) could be hit by a ball or balls on an entirely luck basis.

The Pin-prize mechanism' in a SWP (skill with prize type pinball game) would allow the player to use his/her level of skill to aim balls thereby making a ball or balls hit the Pinball prize mechanism's' many times thereby increasing the prize value.

The Pin-Prize' mechanism' can be manufactured very cheaply making it economical* addition to many types of new payout machines such as Pinball games, fruit machines, pushers and skill with prize games and other coin operated equipment.

The Pin-Prize mechanism' is powered by 5vdc +1-. It reads and writes data via data and impulse lines (as shown in figuresl-5). The Pin-Prize mechanism' could transmit and receive data wirelessly. Each display is activated at the start of a game. The amount displayed on the mechanism would increase each time the mechanism is struck by a ball or other object.

(The amount could also decrease during a game depending on game design) The amount of increase or decrease per hit on the mechanism and the maximum Value limit reached per game on that individual mechanism would be programmed in via a computer or dip switches. A simple example program for a Pin-Prize mechanism' displaying a monetary value would be:- When hit add Ip to the displayed value.end' Each mechanism wired or wirelessly transmits the value shown on the individual display to an accumulator module. The accumulator module is any number of Pin-Prize mechanisms' linked together to display the required total Value/points depending on game design. The accumulator could also be any type of slave display such as crt, tv, tft, led or dot matrix. The accumulator displays a total value for the game. Hitting a special target such as a bull's- eye or another design event would enable a cash or credit payout equal to the value shown on the accumulator module.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing on page -4- in which:-.

Figure 1. Shows in perspective, a pinball Bumper fitted with a Pin-Prize mechanism'. When the bumper is hit by the ball the amount displayed on the digital display increases by the pre-programmed amount (lOp in this

example).

Figure 2 shows in perspective a Bull's-eye type Target hole. When the player gets the ball into the hole the machine would payout the total amount for that game indicated on the accumulator (see Figure 5).

Figure 3 shows in perspective, a pinball Target fitted with a Pin-Prize mechanism'. When the Target is hit by the ball the amount displayed on the digital display increases by the pre-programmed amount (50p in this

example).

Figure 4 shows in perspective, a pinball Gate fitted with a Pin-Prize mechanism'. When a ball rolls through the gate the amount displayed on the digital display increases by the pre-programmed amount (l5p in this

example).

Figure 5 shows in perspective, an accumulator module which displays a total value from all the Pin-Prize mechanisms' for the current game. (5O. 5O in this

example).

When designing a Pinball type Payout game many variations would be possible using Pin-Prize mechanisms'. An example is illustrated below (see figure 6) (4

Claims (8)

1. The Pin-Prize mechanism'.

2. An amusement machine incorporating one or more Pin-Prize mechanisms'.

3. An amusement machine incorporating one or more Pin-Prize Mechanisms' as in claim I that is coin/credit-operated.

4. An amusement machine SWP (skill with Prize) incorporating one or more Pin-Prize mechanisms' as in claims I or 2 comprising a game commonly known as Pinball.

5. An amusement machine AWP (amusement with prize) incorporating one or more Pin-Prize mechanisms' as in claims I or 2 comprising a game commonly known as Pinball.

6. An amusement machine as in claim 3 that takes the form of a SWP (skill with Prize) comprising one or more Pin-Prize mechanisms'. Where the balls are marked with symbols such as numbers, fruit and other graphical symbols commonly used in fruit machines.

7. An amusement machine as in claim 3 that takes the form of a SWP (Skill with Prize) comprising one or more Pin-Prize mechanisms'. Where the balls are marked with symbols such as numbers, bells, playing-cards, dice, coins, letters of the alphabet.

8. An amusement machine as in claims 2,3,4,5,6 and 7 that takes the form of a computer generated video game using a TV screen, computer CRT, TFT or plasma to display images which simulate or imitate the mechanical workings of the single or multiple Pin-Prize mechanisms' as in claim I.