Williams Electronics Games, Inc.

Brunswick Bowling & Billiards Corporation

Other

Wms Gaming, Inc.

Williams Electronics, Inc.

Lawrence E Demar

Paul G Dussault

David C Wyland

Bruce N Alleshouse

Gerald A Pierce

Patrick M Lawlor

David L Mowers

David J Mueller

Santo A Lamantia

Victor S Barczyk

John R Krutsch

Scott D Slomiany

Charles R Bleich

Erica A Frohm

William A Grupp

Steven S Ritchie

Mark J Coldebella

A gaming machine is operated by a programmed micro-processor in which the first mode of operation, a basic gambling game, is implemented such as video poker or reel-type slot machine play. If bonus symbols are selected in the basic mode, a bonus mode is triggered. In the bonus mode the same or a different game is implemented by the micro-processor system employing a variable probability trial procedure in which the player continues to play and receive awards until a losing combination occurs. The hit rate for the bonus mode is often significantly greater than 50% although the overall hold percentage of the game remains below 100%.

Gaming machine with bonus mode

An audit system for recording the activation of coin-operated electronic equipment and the amounts of money collected employing a real-time clock to time stamp information recorded in non-volatile or battery powered memory, such as total collections, number of games played, etc. The system also allows selective pricing based on a time of day schedule.

Audit and pricing system for coin-operated games

A method for controlling a multi-tasking time slice to support a desired system frame operating time. Depending upon the number of tasks which take control within the desired system frame, and the length of the processing time required for each task, the system frame would extend beyond the desired system frame operating time. In this event, it is necessary to shorten the time slice so that subsequent frames remain as close as possible to the desired system frame operating time. Similarly, if extra time is left in each frame, then the slice time is expanded to allow tasks to complete processing within the desired system frame operating time without being sliced as often.

Method for varying multi-tasking time slice to maintain system frame

A bowling center system includes a plurality of lane pair control systems each including a pin setting device for each lane, a pin setter control unit, a game scoring control unit, a bowler input station and a pair of overhead display monitors. A manager's control system provides accounting control over the bowling center system and is operable to communicate with a selected game control unit as necessary. A plurality of remote terminals are provided associated with selected ones of the lane pair control systems. Each remote terminal system includes a keyboard and a display monitor. The remote terminal operates under the control of the game unit to allow a user thereof to enter requests for video displays. The video displays include, the example, ball trajectory displays which illustrate the path of the ball in the bowling lane, or dynamic displays, such as for training, generated by video source devices associated with the manager's control system.

Bowling center video display system

The present invention is a computer-controlled interactive playfield feature for pinball games. The system microprocessor monitors activity on the playfield and controls the interactive playfield feature, directing the player's attention to specific targets and activities on the playfield. The playfield feature operates in conjunction with a speech synthesizer, which may be programmed to taunt and challenge game player, increasing player appeal. In a preferred embodiment, the interactive playfield feature is in the shape of a jocular human head. The mouth, eyelids and eyes are movable under microprocessor control. The mouth serves as a ball target. When the player successfully shoots the ball in the mouth, a solenoid ball ejector returns the ball to the playfield. The eyes may be programmed to follow the travel of the pinball on the playfield.

Interactive playfield feature for pinball games

A bowling center system includes a plurality of lane pair control systems each including a pin setting device for each lane, a pin setter control unit, a game control unit, a bowler input station and a pair of overhead display monitors. The game control unit is operable under the control of a game control program stored in a memory for automatically operating the pin setter control units during game play to selectively set a sequence of pin patterns on the lane. A manager's control system is coupled to each of the lane pair control systems and includes a bowler input station similar to the game control unit bowler input station. The manager's control system is electrically connected for communication with the game scoring unit, and switching circuitry is provided for selectively coupling the manager's control system bowler input station to a select one of the game score control units so that the manager's control system bowler input station interfaces with the operation of the bowling game for the selected game control unit.

Multi-lane bowling system with remote operator control

A lighting control system for pinball games employs a lighting circuit board that supports at least one string of lamps connected in parallel. The lighting board associates a triac with each lighting string for switching the output of an a.c. power supply to each lighting string. The triacs are controlled responsive to the output of a zero-cross detection circuit, which monitors the a.c. power supply. The intensity of the lighting strings is independently controllable responsive to conditions on the game playfield by varying the length of time the triac switches power relative to the zero-crossing point of the output of the a.c. power supply.

Lighting control system for pinball games

A pinball machine has a horizontal playfield as well as a vertical playfield. The playfields are preferably integrated to permit a ball put into play on the horizontal playfield to be carried into the vertical playfield for continued play of the same ball. An elevator mechanism is therefore provided in the form of an electromagnet carried by a motor driven winch. The electromagnet carries the ball from the horizontal playfield along a vertical path for release on a retractable landing. The ball rolls off the landing into play, with one or more flippers on the vertical playfield used to propel the ball under player control. 'Mouseholes' are further provided on the vertical playfield which lead to hidden conduits behind the playfield surface through which the ball rolls. Scoring displays set flush with the vertical playfield surface form part of the playfield.

Pinball machine

A microprocessor system monitors operation of an amusement device, such as a pinball machine, to detect inoperative switches and the like associated with game features, such as drop targets. Inoperability is assumed if the switch has not been activated after a statistically significant number of game plays. When an inoperative switch is detected, an audio/visual announcement is generated to advise the operator that repair is necessary. In addition, the microprocessor alters the game rule operation to compensate for the inoperative switches to avoid player dissatisfaction. The processor system includes a microprocessor and associated memory and interface devices for connecting the game elements to the processor system.

System to detect and bypass inoperative game features in an amusement

A microprocessor computer system includes random access and read only memories and a set of operator switches permitting the storage of game play information. During operation of the amusement device, game play is monitored and the score required to receive a free play is periodically adjusted to maintain a selected free play percentage. The percentage is determined by either the factory setting or the operator through the operator switches. The data used to compute the free play percentage is constantly checked by the system to insure that it is valid.

Growing community of inventors

Chicago, IL, United States of America

Lawrence E Demar