Linkable pinball machine
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pinball machine capable of being electrically connected to at least one similarly equipped pinball machine to permit cooperative and competitive interactive game play, said pinball machine comprisinga) a playfield on which a pinball may roll;
- b) means for player control of the pinball on said playfield;
c) targets at which the pinball may be directed to score points or to achieve game objectives;
d) a processor based control system including a game program to monitor game operation, monitor game play and compute player score, said game program permitting achievement of objectives on one of said pinball machines to influence gameplay on the other pinball machine, and vice versa;
e) said control system including interface means for electrically connecting said similarly equipped pinball machine(s) to said control system to allow the passage of information between the pinball machines.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pinball machine which can be electrically linked to other pinball machines to allow the machines to communicate. Features on the pinball machines are synchronized to make gameplay more attractive to players. Cooperative or competitive gameplay can be provided between the pinball machines, but achievement of goals on the two machines is synchronized to maintain similar gameplay on both machines at any particular time.
126 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A pinball machine capable of being electrically connected to at least one similarly equipped pinball machine to permit cooperative and competitive interactive game play, said pinball machine comprising
a) a playfield on which a pinball may roll; -
b) means for player control of the pinball on said playfield; c) targets at which the pinball may be directed to score points or to achieve game objectives; d) a processor based control system including a game program to monitor game operation, monitor game play and compute player score, said game program permitting achievement of objectives on one of said pinball machines to influence gameplay on the other pinball machine, and vice versa; e) said control system including interface means for electrically connecting said similarly equipped pinball machine(s) to said control system to allow the passage of information between the pinball machines. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of playing a game on a plurality of similarly equipped pinball machines, each comprising:
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a) a playfield on which a pinball may roll; b) means for player control of the pinball on said playfield; c) targets at which the pinball may be directed to score points or to achieve game objectives; d) a processor based control system including a game program to monitor game operation, monitor gameplay and compute player score, said game program permitting achievement of objectives on one of said pinball machines to influence gameplay on the other pinball machine(s) and vice-versa; said method comprising electrically connecting the control systems on said similarly equipped pinball machines whereby to allow the passage of information between the pinball machines. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A pinball machine capable of operating both in a first configuration wherein said pinball machine is electrically and physically separate from any similarly equipped pinball machine and a second configuration wherein said pinball machine is in electrical communication with at least one similarly equipped pinball machine to permit cooperative and competitive interactive game play, said pinball machine comprising:
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a) a playfield on which a pinball may roll; b) means for player control of the pinball on said playfield; c) targets at which the pinball may be directed to score points or to achieve game objectives; d) a processor based control system including a game program to monitor game operation, monitor game play and compute player score, said game program permitting achievement of objectives on one of said pinball machines to influence gameplay on at least one other pinball machine connected thereto when in said second configuration; e) said control system including interface means for electrically connecting said similarly equipped pinball machine(s) to said control system to allow the passage of information between the pinball machines. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification