Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• A63F 7/02 - Jeux d'intérieur utilisant de petits éléments de jeu mobiles, p. ex. des boules, billes, disques ou cubes utilisant des éléments de jeu tombant ou des éléments de jeu roulant sur une surface inclinée, p. ex. billards électriques
• G07F 17/32 - Appareils déclenchés par pièces de monnaie pour la location d'articlesInstallations ou services déclenchés par pièces de monnaie pour jeux, jouets, sports ou distractions
• A63F 9/24 - Jeux utilisant des circuits électroniques, non prévus ailleurs

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• A63F 7/02 - Jeux d'intérieur utilisant de petits éléments de jeu mobiles, p. ex. des boules, billes, disques ou cubes utilisant des éléments de jeu tombant ou des éléments de jeu roulant sur une surface inclinée, p. ex. billards électriques
• G07F 17/32 - Appareils déclenchés par pièces de monnaie pour la location d'articlesInstallations ou services déclenchés par pièces de monnaie pour jeux, jouets, sports ou distractions
• A63F 9/24 - Jeux utilisant des circuits électroniques, non prévus ailleurs

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• A63F 7/02 - Jeux d'intérieur utilisant de petits éléments de jeu mobiles, p. ex. des boules, billes, disques ou cubes utilisant des éléments de jeu tombant ou des éléments de jeu roulant sur une surface inclinée, p. ex. billards électriques
• A63F 3/00 - Jeux se jouant sur une tableJeux de hasard
• A63F 7/26 - Dispositifs commandés par le joueur permettant de projeter ou de faire rouler les éléments de jeu électriques ou magnétiques
• A63F 9/24 - Jeux utilisant des circuits électroniques, non prévus ailleurs

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• A63F 7/02 - Jeux d'intérieur utilisant de petits éléments de jeu mobiles, p. ex. des boules, billes, disques ou cubes utilisant des éléments de jeu tombant ou des éléments de jeu roulant sur une surface inclinée, p. ex. billards électriques
• G07F 17/32 - Appareils déclenchés par pièces de monnaie pour la location d'articlesInstallations ou services déclenchés par pièces de monnaie pour jeux, jouets, sports ou distractions
• A63F 9/24 - Jeux utilisant des circuits électroniques, non prévus ailleurs

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• A63F 9/24 - Jeux utilisant des circuits électroniques, non prévus ailleurs
• A63F 7/26 - Dispositifs commandés par le joueur permettant de projeter ou de faire rouler les éléments de jeu électriques ou magnétiques
• A63F 7/02 - Jeux d'intérieur utilisant de petits éléments de jeu mobiles, p. ex. des boules, billes, disques ou cubes utilisant des éléments de jeu tombant ou des éléments de jeu roulant sur une surface inclinée, p. ex. billards électriques
• A63F 3/00 - Jeux se jouant sur une tableJeux de hasard

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• A63F 7/22 - AccessoiresJeux d'intérieur utilisant de petits éléments de jeu mobiles, p. ex. des boules, billes, disques ou cubes Détails
• A63F 7/02 - Jeux d'intérieur utilisant de petits éléments de jeu mobiles, p. ex. des boules, billes, disques ou cubes utilisant des éléments de jeu tombant ou des éléments de jeu roulant sur une surface inclinée, p. ex. billards électriques
• G07F 17/32 - Appareils déclenchés par pièces de monnaie pour la location d'articlesInstallations ou services déclenchés par pièces de monnaie pour jeux, jouets, sports ou distractions
• A63F 9/24 - Jeux utilisant des circuits électroniques, non prévus ailleurs