Patent · US Expired

Hand-held pinball game

US4334679A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
4References
5Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 24, 1980
Grant dateJun 15, 1982
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 24, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA63F2009/247
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

In the hand-held pinball game disclosed herein, the movement of the ball is simulated by sequentially energizing light emitting diodes disposed along a multiplicity of predetermined ball paths connecting various features on the playing field. Other light emitting diodes are selectively energized under manual control to simulate flippers which constitute features on the playing field. A digital processor operating under fixed instructions controls the simulated ball movement and implements a timing function during certain segments of the program for determining the time of flipper operation in relation to simulated ball movement. The direction of departure of the simulated ball from the flipper feature is then varied as a function of the time value so determined. The processor also drives a loudspeaker to generate sounds appropriately characterizing the arrival of the simulated ball at various features.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.