Williams Electronics Games, Inc.

Zynga Inc.

Brian R Eddy

Daniel Mordecai Marks

Robert C Friesl

Lawrence E DeMar

Patrick M Lawlor

Carl A Biagi

Edward A Estes

Benedicto Rodriquez

Software receives a command from a player selecting one or more businesses from a game menu in an online game that is a builder-type game. The software then receives a command from the player identifying an empty location in a game space for the game. The software causes the one or more businesses to be displayed in the game space at the location and receives a command from the player selecting a plurality of displayed businesses. The software then receives a command from the player to consolidate the displayed businesses that were selected into a consolidated business and displays the consolidated business in the game space.

Consolidating businesses in a gamespace for an online game

The present invention provides methods for playing a multi-player, online game in which players build virtual worlds by placing game objects into a game space and may consolidate multiple game objects into a single object such that the new consolidated object maintains some or all of the features of the original, separate objects but occupies less game space.

Method of operating an online game using consolidated game objects

A ramp with an integral ball deflector is positioned upon the playfield of a pinball game with its entrance approximately level with the playfield. A ball deflector having the shape of a triangle is mounted upon the bottom of the ramp with its widest portion near to the ramp entrance. The hypotenuse of the ball deflector defines a ball deflection surface. When a game ball rolls down the ramp, such as during roll back it is directed away from one of the side walls of the ramp by the ball deflection surface so that it later avoids an undesirable location on the playfield. A bifurcated entrance plate is connected between the ramp entrance and the playfield so that the ball deflector has a minimal effect upon a game ball entering the ramp.

Ramp with integral ball deflector for pinball games

A ball diverter located in a ramp or other ball path is moveable between first and second positions and is used to selectively divert a pinball between two paths. The player uses buttons located on the game cabinet to control the position of the diverter and the path travelled by the ball. The mechanism for moving the diverter includes two solenoid coils which are arranged such that the diverter can be held in either the first or second position indefinitely without either solenoid being continuously actuated.

Ball diverter for a pinball game

An electromagnet is mounted beneath the playfield. Sensors, such as optical switch pairs, are positioned on the playfield in operative relation with the electromagnet to detect the ball and to produce a signal in response thereto. The microprocessor, in response to such signals, briefly pulses the magnet to accelerate the ball or energizes the electromagnet for an extended period to grab and hold the ball. When the ball is held, the magnet is thereafter deenergized and briefly pulsed to propel the ball on the playfield. In one embodiment, a plurality of electromagnets are provided along a ball path which are operated sequentially by the game microprocessor to move the ball from magnet to magnet in a stepped manner.

Ball advancing device for a pinball game

The ball trough is of a unitary construction such that it is mounted directly to the underside of the playfield as a single piece. The ball trough consists of a generally U-shaped channel that is mounted to the underside of the playfield and extends between the drain hole and the shooter lane. The bottom surface of the channel is inclined relative to the horizontal such that a ball entering at the drain hole will roll under the force of gravity toward the shooter lane. When activated, the solenoid plunger will kick the ball located adjacent the shooter lane up through an aperture in the playfield and into the shooter lane. A series of optical switches are mounted on the channel and arranged such that each switch will detect the presence or absence of the ball in the queue.

Growing community of inventors

Addison, IL, United States of America

Brian R Eddy