Method and kit for retrofitting a pinball machine
US6199861A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63F2009/2464
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A pinball machine has been designed with several novel mechanical and electrical features such that it is easily updatable, or alternately, retrofittable or convertible between a first pinball game and a second pinball game. The pinball machine includes a cabinet, a playfield, a panel, an electronics system, and a video display. The playfield is mounted in the cabinet with the panel mounted to the cabinet and overlaying at least a portion of the playfield. The video display is mounted generally above the cabinet and is disposed to project video images onto the panel for viewing by the player. The electronics system includes a control unit and a plurality of input/output elements which are mounted to the playfield. The control unit, which includes a controller and memory for storing game instructions and video images, is coupled to the plurality of input/output elements. The controller executes the game instructions to cause the video images to be displayed upon the video display. The memory may include flash memory which can be updated by a flash card. A retrofitting kit for the pinball machine provides a replacement memory that stores second game instructions and second game video…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.