Abstract:
A coin operated amusement game such as a pinball machine having a playing surface to which LEDs are mounted as a means for illuminating portions of the game playing surface generally.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Generally using LEDs as an illumination source is know. For example, PCT published application No. WO 2006/001221 describes an illumination source composed of a white LED of a first light source color and an orange LED of a second light source color so that light is emitted in a color created as a result of mixing the first and second light source colors. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    The following describes a system and method for using LEDs as a source of general illumination for a coin operated game device, such as a pinball machine. 
         [0003]    A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relationships of the system and method will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which set forth illustrative embodiments which are indicative of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    For a better understanding of the invention directed to using LEDs as a source of general illumination in a coin operated game device, reference may be had to the following drawings in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a coin operated game device, in the exemplary form of a pinball machine, using LEDs as a source of general illumination; and 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a top view, partially transparent, of an exemplary playing surface of the coin operated game device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]    With reference to the  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a coin operated game device, in the exemplary form of a pinball machine  10  similar to that shown in EP Patent Application 0 992 264 but capable of being generally illuminated in accordance with the invention, is now described. More particularly, the coin operated game device  10  includes a cabinet  12 , generally illuminated as described hereinafter, which houses various apparatus used to define play of a game. Game play is typically commenced in response to insertion of money—paper or coins referred to collectively as “coins”—into a coin accepting device or upon exercising of credits earned. Upon activation of the game in this manner, game play, in the case of a pinball machine, is defined upon an inclined playfield  14  that supports a number of playfield accessories or devices  16 . More particularly, in the case of a pinball machine, game play is generally defined through the use of a pair of flippers  18  to propel a ball  20  relative to the playfield and accessories/devices associated with the playfield  14 . The playfield  14  is usually inclined from the horizontal such that the ball  20  tends to eventually roll back down the playfield  14  in the direction of the flippers  18 . While not intended to be limiting, the playfield accessories or devices  16  may include elements such as bumpers, ramps, and/or targets. The playfield  14  may be covered by a transparent or glass sheet  25  to permit viewing of the playfield  14 . In addition to the foregoing, the playfield  14  usually includes a plunger element  32  which shoots the ball  20  up an alley  34  onto the playfield  14 . Other player-activated elements, typically in the form of push-buttons (not shown) on the sides of the cabinet  12 , are usually provided for controlling operation of the flippers  18 . The pinball machine  10  may also includes a backbox  26  which is mounted to overlay a top rear portion of the cabinet  12  and which contains a game display  28 , such as a dot matrix display, CRT, or the like. The backbox  26  may also support speakers (not illustrated) associated with the game sound system. Within the backbox  26  may be located various of the electronic circuits for controlling the operation of the playfield, the display, general illumination, and the sound system. 
         [0008]    To generally illuminate the coin operated device  10 , the playfield  14  is provided with illumination devices  22  which are mounted to an underside of the playfield  14  using mounting hardware  24 . The illumination devices  22  are mounted to allow for the light emitted from the illumination devices  22  to generally illuminate desired portions of the playing interior of the coin operated device  10 . Since, in the case of pinball machine, the ball  20  may roll over an area of the playfield to which the illumination devices  22  are mounted, a generally transparent overlay  26  may be provided to the playfield  14  in a location over the illumination devices  22 . The illumination devices  22  may include a single LED, such as illumination device  22   a , or may include multiple LEDs, such as illumination device  22   b . The LEDs can be any color as desired. However, when multiple LEDs are provided, it is desired that the LEDs be one each of a white color and an orange color which, when illuminated simultaneously, provide a more natural looking white light illumination to the coin operated machine  10 . The illumination devices  22  may be provided power under the control of a system bus architecture or may be provided power by a dedicated illumination circuit. 
         [0009]    Similar illumination devices  28  may also be provided in association with play features of the playfield  14 . In this case, however, rather than being provided for the purpose of generally illuminating areas of the playing interior of the coin operated game  10 , the illumination devices  26  will be powered under processor control and be provided in association with a particular game feature to thereby illuminate that particular game feature specifically, e.g., a colored overlay  30 , as opposed to an area of the game in general. 
         [0010]    While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangement disclosed is meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof. 
         [0011]    All patents, patent applications, and other references cited within this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.