Scoring system for game apparatus
US4893821A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63F2250/14
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A game apparatus receives tokens pitched toward it and provides a score corresponding to the number and location of tokens it receives. The apparatus includes a box-like frame (20) that carries a horizontally disposed target board (22). The target board (22) includes a plurality of openings (38) formed therein. The openings (38) are arranged in a matrix of multiple rows and multiple columns and configured to receive the tokens (42) pitched into them. Beneath the target board (22) are a plurality of chutes (40), one chute associated with each opening (38). Within each chute (40) there is a token guide mechanism (54) for directing any coin-like tokens (42) received in that chute through a detection passage (60). A sensor (88) is mounted to each token guide mechanism (54) for detecting the presence of a token (42) within the detection passage (60), the presence of the token being indicated by a detection signal applied to the sensor output. A microcontroller (100) and associated signal processing circuitry scans each row of sensors (88) and during the scan of each row reads the sensor outputs to determine whether a token (42) is present in any of the chutes (40) of the scanned row. Th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.