Williams Electronics Games, Inc.

Other

Patrick M Lawlor

John R Krutsch

Lawrence E DeMar

George A Gomez

Lawrence E Demar

Thomas W Uban

Matthew C Coriale

John W Skalon

Brian R Eddy

Edward A Estes

Ted Estes

Comprehensive claim primacy among all insurers serving a given population is determined quickly and efficiently while not requiring all 4,500 or so insurers (in the U.S.) to unanimously adopt a new system of claim processing cooperation. The claim primacy determination is made by a centralized server with access to health plan enrollment and benefit data from substantially all insurers. The determination can therefore be comprehensive. Efficiency is achieved by caching enrollment and benefit data by the server, requiring periodic updates of the cached data by health plans. Unanimous lock-step adoption by the insurers is avoided by combining a standardized electronic messaging system to query data not cached in the server.

Automated insurance claim primacy resolution and claim resolution

An amusement game which comprises a playfield having a game piece and a plurality of play features, and an apparatus for projecting a changeable virtual image in association with the playfield.

Amusement game with pinball type playfield and virtual video images

A game which comprises a plurality of play devices and a panel for prohibiting access of a player to the plurality of play devices. The panel includes at least two optically distinct portions. A first optically distinct portion is substantially transparent for viewing at least one of the play devices and a second optically distinct portion is partially transparent for viewing at least another of the plurality of the play devices and partially reflective for reflecting a virtual image to be viewed by the player. The second optically distinct portion having a higher reflectivity than the first optically distinct portion.

Game with viewing panel having variable optical characteristics for

A pinball machine having a vertically displaceable ramp play feature. The ramp moves between an upper position in which it does not interfere with gameplay, and a lower position in which the lower edge of the ramp rests on the playfield. When the ramp is in the lower position, balls can be directed up the ramp towards a suitable target, such as a raised playfield.

Vertically displaceable ramp

A display panel for a pinball machine utilizes a lightweight plastic housing member with a plurality of apertures therein for retaining light bulbs. A glass lens and film having an image thereon are resiliently retained on the housing member with channel members that extend about the periphery of the lens and housing. The display may be removed and installed as a unitary piece in a pinball game cabinet.

Display panel for a pinball machine

A game of skill, such as a pinball game is integrated with a game of chance, such as a simulation of a board game. A micro-processor based control system permits play of the game of chance when a player achieves game objectives in the skill game. The game of chance is played using random number selection to determine the 'moves' on the simulated board game. The player may continue the game of chance until he wins the game or he may stop at a designated point and return to the game of skill. The game of chance simulation may include a plurality of lights arranged in patterns to simulate board game paths.

Amusement device integrating games of skill and chance

A rolling ball game is provided with a token dispenser which dispenses game tokens by rolling them onto the inclined cover glass of the game cabinet. The dispenser is provided with controls to permit interaction of the dispenser with the game housed within the cabinet. Thus, dispensing may occur during game play as a function of player skill when appropriate events occur on the game playfield. Tokens provide a basis for players to defer game rewards, such as bonus points or special game features until another game.

Amusement device reward system

A ramp element is provided on the top of a drop target member so that when the target is activated and moved to its lower position, the ramp is accessible by the game ball and may travel thereover to reach elevated game features. A series of ramp elements may be provided in a row so that when all targets have been lowered, there is provided a ramp of increased size providing increased access to the elevated game feature.

Dual function drop target for 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 player controlled play feature consists of an area on or associated with the playfield which is partially confined by a plurality of bumpers. At least one target is provided in this area and an entrance is provided such that a pinball can enter the area defined by the bumpers. Located in the defined area and supported below the surface thereof are a plurality of electromagnets energized by activation of player controlled buttons mounted on the game's cabinet. The game player can selectively activate the electromagnets to redirect the pinball and propel it toward the provided targets.

Magnetic ball flipper for a rolling ball game

The ball diverter of the invention consists of a pivoting cage located above an elevated track. The cage, when in its lowered position, will intercept a ball rolling on the track. The cage can then be pivoted to remove the ball from the track and deposit it on a surface disposed beneath the track. When the cage is in the raised position, the ball is allowed to traverse the track uninterrupted.

Ball diverter for raised ramp

A flipper control circuit is disclosed in which at least one flipper is controlled by the game microprocessor which attempts to hit a desired target. The processor activates the flipper in response to playfield sensors which detect the ball in proximity to the flipper. Playfield switches provide feedback to the processor on the accuracy of the shot allowing the processor to correct its 'aim' for subsequent shots.

Automatic flipper control circuit for pinball games

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 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.

Growing community of inventors

Marengo, IL, United States of America

Patrick M Lawlor