Pinball Tracking System

Abstract

An entertainment device typically described as a pinball machine, usually found in myriad places such as arcades, restaurants, private residences, etc. A conventional pinball machine allows one or more players to play a game in which points are accrued by physically striking one or more balls on an inclined play field within a cabinet having a transparent top surface. Interaction of the machine with the ball is typically limited to events when the ball strikes an object on the play field. To enable more machine-ball interaction and therefore increase entertainment value ball tracking is needed. A way to track the ball in a very fast manner to better enable open space interactivity while not having excessive cost and while not limiting the game designer.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to gaming devices, and more specifically, to pinball machines with playfields containing an open space.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0002]A pinball machine is an entertainment device usually found in myriad places such as arcades, restaurants, private residences, etc. A conventional pinball machine allows one or more players to play a game in which points are accrued by physically striking one or more balls on an inclined playfield within a cabinet having a transparent top surface. Commonly, the balls used in play are smooth steel and have a reflective spherical surface.[0003]The pinball machine's playfield typically includes one or more physical targets. When a ball strikes a particular physical target, an electromechanical switch coupled to (or otherwise integrated into) the target detects the mechanical impact, which then triggers a change in some aspect of the game. For example, in some cases, when a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent relates to a pinball machine with an open playfield that contains no obstructions for the ball. The playfield usually contains graphics and visually interesting content, but it has very slow reaction time and limits the game designer in placement of interactive elements. The technical effect of this patent is to provide a means to track the ball in a fast manner in the open space of a pinball machine to better enable interactive play.

Problems solved by technology

However, there is generally very little ball interaction in the open area play field on typical machines.

Currently, the prior art demonstrates a touch screen display embedded in this open space that can detect the ball as it traverses but the reaction time is much too slow to enable interactivity and the cost can be excessive in larger instantiations.

Likewise, an array of emitters and receivers can line the edge of the play field to provide ball location, but this method severely limits the game designer in placement of the interactive elements that characterize the game of pinball.

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