Abstract

Pinball machines are described. A method includes detecting an event during a game played at least in part over a surface of a playfield in a pinball machine. The playfield has first and second playfield portions. In response to the event, a playfield reducer located between the first and second portions is electronically activated in a manner sufficient to prevent a pinball from traveling between the first and second playfield portions. A pinball machine includes a playfield reducer that is operable to be in and transition between first and second positions during normal gameplay. When the playfield reducer is in the first position, the pinball is capable of rolling into and out of a portion of the playfield surface, and when the playfield reducer is in the second position, the playfield reducer prevents the pinball from accessing or from leaving the portion of the playfield surface.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63F 7/02 - Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks using falling playing bodies or playing bodies running on an inclined surface, e.g. pinball games
• G07F 17/32 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• A63F 9/24 - Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for

Abstract

Pinball machines are described. A method includes detecting an event during a game played at least in part over a surface of a playfield in a pinball machine. The playfield has first and second playfield portions. In response to the event, a playfield reducer located between the first and second portions is electronically activated in a manner sufficient to prevent a pinball from traveling between the first and second playfield portions. A pinball machine includes a playfield reducer that is operable to be in and transition between first and second positions during normal gameplay. When the playfield reducer is in the first position, the pinball is capable of rolling into and out of a portion of the playfield surface, and when the playfield reducer is in the second position, the playfield reducer prevents the pinball from accessing or from leaving the portion of the playfield surface.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63F 7/02 - Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks using falling playing bodies or playing bodies running on an inclined surface, e.g. pinball games
• G07F 17/32 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• A63F 9/24 - Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for

Abstract

Pinball machines with modular components. In some cases, a method may include providing a cabinet having a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion; and assembling a pinball machine, at least in part, by sliding a physical object into or onto: (a) a support element of the first lateral portion, and (b) a support element of the second lateral portion. A pinball machine may include a cabinet having a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion, and a user-replaceable module coupled to an outside surface of the first or second lateral portions, where the user-replaceable module includes one or more controls or terminals configured to communicate with the machine via an interface. Moreover, the pinball machine may also include a user-replaceable magnetic decal coupled to a metallic outside surface of the first or second lateral portions.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63F 7/02 - Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks using falling playing bodies or playing bodies running on an inclined surface, e.g. pinball games
• A63F 3/00 - Board gamesRaffle games
• A63F 7/26 - Devices controlled by the player to project or roll-off the playing bodies electric or magnetic
• A63F 9/24 - Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for

Abstract

Pinball machines with animated playfield components and automatic level detection are described. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a method may include changing a visual appearance of a surface of a physical object within a pinball machine, the physical object configured to physically interact with a pinball during a pinball game. In another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a pinball machine may be configured to receive leveling information detected by one or more accelerometers, the leveling information selected from the group consisting of: pitch, roll, and yaw. In yet another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a pinball machine may be configured to periodically or continuously receive leveling information detected by one or more accelerometers during a pinball game, and then discourage the player from applying force to the pinball machine in response to the leveling information meeting a value and/or encourage a player to apply force to the pinball machine.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63F 7/02 - Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks using falling playing bodies or playing bodies running on an inclined surface, e.g. pinball games
• G07F 17/32 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• A63F 9/24 - Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for

Abstract

Pinball machines with configurable playfields. A method includes detecting an event during a game played at least in part over a surface of a playfield in a pinball machine, the playfield having a first and a second playfield portions with two outermost lateral edges between which the game takes place, and, in response to the event, electronically activating a playfield reducer located between the first and second portions, the playfield reducer configured to extend between the two outermost lateral edges of the playfield portions in a manner sufficient to prevent the pinball from traveling between the first and second playfield portions. A machine includes a main playfield portion having a set pinball components disposed therein, the components configured to interact with a pinball during a game, the main playfield portion further configured to receive any of a plurality of modular playfields, each of the modular playfields having different sets components.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63F 9/24 - Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
• A63F 7/26 - Devices controlled by the player to project or roll-off the playing bodies electric or magnetic
• A63F 7/02 - Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks using falling playing bodies or playing bodies running on an inclined surface, e.g. pinball games
• A63F 3/00 - Board gamesRaffle games

Abstract

Pinball machines with hybrid playfields. A method may include electronically determining a physical property of a physical object, the physical object allowed to move above a display disposed within a playfield of a pinball machine, and rendering a virtual object on the display in response to an evaluation of the physical property. Another method may include rendering a virtual object on an electronic screen, the electronic screen disposed within a playfield of the pinball machine, and changing an aspect of a physical object located within the playfield in response to the virtual object exhibiting a predefined property. Yet another method may include providing a list of one or more software applications via an electronic display arranged within the playfield of the pinball machine, allowing a user to select one of the one or more software applications, and executing the selected software application.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63F 7/22 - AccessoriesIndoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks Details
• A63F 7/02 - Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks using falling playing bodies or playing bodies running on an inclined surface, e.g. pinball games
• G07F 17/32 - Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articlesCoin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• A63F 9/24 - Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for