Abstract:
The present invention provides a pinball machine having downward and side sloping playing field and a plurality of slots at the bottom of the playing field. The slots have sensor which can be selectively activated to detect the presence of a ball so as to register a score. Bumpers are also provided to translate a ball throughout a plurality of locations on the playing field.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a pinball machine having a downward and side sloping playing field, and having a plurality of slots at the bottom of the playing field, which change in value according to a program. More particularly, the slots contain one or more slots which sense entry of a ball so as to register a score. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pinball machines have numerous configurations that are well known in the art. It is conventional practice in a pinball machine apparatus to modify the structure on the game surface, the design and the score value of different targets in order to revive the incentive of practiced players without changing the principal of the game. 
     There are many commercially available pinball machines that incorporate various scoring indicators, lights, graphics and sound. These machines include mechanical three-dimensional figures that communicate visually and audibly with a player. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,049 to Borg, which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses a pinball machine wherein a section of the playing field is changed by rotating the section to expose different components. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,142 to Arad, which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses a pinball machine having provisions for translating a ball in play throughout a plurality of locations. There is also provided an audio system to provide a speaking effect in response to different play conditions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a pinball machine having a slanted playing field and a plurality of playing slots arranged at the bottom of the playing field. The slots are provided with sensors for detecting a ball that enters the slot. A microprocessor is provided, which can activate at least one slot to record a score and change which slot is activated or deactivated so as to alter the playing of the game. Means are provided on the playing field to translate a ball in play throughout a plurality of locations thereon. 
     Advantageously, audio means are provided in association with the microprocessor for providing speaking and/or sound or light effects in response to different play conditions. 
     The playing field may optionally be tilted to a side wall so as to provide a double slope either mechanically or manually. 
     There may also be provided a three dimensional figure, which responds to a play on the field. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a pinball game apparatus, which changes in scoring strategy at low cost. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a pinball game apparatus, which alters the playing field to challenge the skill of the user. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide visual and sound effects, which respond to the playing conditions. 
     It is a further object of the invention to allow a player to alter the playing field according to a programmed selection. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the simplest form of the invention there is provided a pinball apparatus  10  comprising a housing  11  having an upper face  12 , which form the playing field. The playing field is conventionally covered by a transparent glass pane  13 . 
     The housing  11  is defined by a first or top wall  14 , a rear wall  15  and side walls  16  and  17 . The playing field  12  is inclined downwardly toward the rear wall  15  so that a ball will roll downwardly because of gravity. According to the invention, the playing field also can be inclined toward one of the sides  16  and  17  by up to about 10 degrees. This incline to one of the sides can be permanent or variable by selection of a microprocessor or manually by the player. 
     The playing field has a plurality of path altering pins  18  to accommodate various ball path-altering provisions. The playing field may also contain first ball path altering slots  19  formed by walls  28 . The pins  18  may also comprise various fixed and elastic, active and passive targets as common in the game. 
     Along the bottom wall  15  there is a second plurality of slots  20 , formed by walls  20 A, which contain sensors  21  that can sense a ball entering one of the slots  20 . 
     A ball launch guide  20 ′, is disposed near one side of the housing  11 . Launch guide  20 ′ is bound by a wall  22  which is offset a nominal distance from side wall  17  to form a ball launching channel. A spring loaded pull knob  23  having a grasping handle  22 , ball contact end  24 , and an intermediate body having a compression spring  25 , is collinearly mounted through housing  11  along the longitudinal extent of launch guide  20 ′. When knob  23  is fully extended, ball  0  exits launch guide  20 ′, and is first expelled by releasing knob  23 . Once ball  0  exits launch guide  20 ′, it is in play and may come into contact with wall  14 , pins  18  and enters first slots  19 . The object of the game is to enter into a selected slot  20 . Each slot  20  is provided with a sensor  21 , which is associated with a microprocessor that contains a program which activates or deactivates a sensor  21  in one or more of the slots  20  with each game so that the player would be required to alter his playing strategy with each game. In addition, the microprocessor provides each slot  20  with a value so that the same score will reflect the player&#39;s skill in being able to enter a given slot  20 . 
     Along the upper part of the housing  11  and along the top wall  14  is a display board  32 , which is associated with a microprocessor to provide the score and a visual display on screen  33  in accordance with the play on the playing field and the sensors  21  activated by a ball  0 . At least one sensor  21  provides a bonus score and is displaced by an LED. The microprocessor is also programmed to deactivate a sensor  21  so that when the ball enters a deactivated slot, the play is lost. The microprocessor is further programmed to count the number of balls  0  which enter the slot so that the odds are changed and the player must develop a different strategy. If the ball  0  rests on a lighted slot, the sensor signals the microprocessor, which senses the display board  32  and displays the cumulative score. Generally, there are sixteen slots  20  on the playing field and at least four of the slots  20  are activated and lit by an LED so as to display a slot that allows scoring. 
     Along the playing field are a plurality of pins  18 , which randomly direct the ball to slots  19  and  20 . The size and shape of the pins as well as their positioning on the playing field have an effect on the ball and the odds of a ball going to a specific slot. 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to the present invention wherein a microprocessor or CPU  50  is a memory device in which every processing program is stored. CPU  50  controls the LCD display  42 , a coin insertion and detection unit  60  for detecting the insertion of a coin and includes a coin payout unit for paying out coins upon activation of button  24 . 
     The CPU has a motor control unit  61  which controls the activation of the sensors  21 , a lamp control unit  62  which illuminates the apparatus upon insertion of a coin, a LED control unit  63  for the LED&#39;s  48  of the sensors  21  and other illuminations, a LCD control unit  64  for the video display  33  which also contains a graphic RAM for storing graphic data to be sent to the video display  33  and a character ROM in which character data are stored, and a sound control unit  65  which stores sounds for different activities on the video display  33 . 
     Upon inserting a number of coins into the slot  42  prior to playing the game, a sensing means senses the coins inserted so as to provide pulse signals corresponding to the number of coins which are transmitted to and counted by detection unit and by pressing buttons  41 A, a signal is sent to activate the reel control unit  61  which provides a signal to the microprocessor to activate the game. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the playing field can be tilted to the right side or left side. A mechanism such as a step motor  31  is mounted on the underside of the playing field surface. The motor  31  can be operated manually by the player or as part of the program within the CPU  50 . 
     The game need not be limited to enter the slots  20  for scoring. The playing field may be provided with active and/or inactive pins and bumpers which not only provide scoring but activate a video or sound program. The balls  0  as they roll down the inclined plane randomly bump into pins or bumpers to deflect the path of the ball. At the bottom of the playing field here may be provided thrust levers or flippers  52  controlled by buttons  50  which can put the ball  0  back into play for additional scoring or direction. The length of the flippers can be as conventionally used in pinball apparatus. 
     The playing field at the back wall is provided with a gutter or return mechanism which is conventional in the art. One such mechanism is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,213 which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     The game is played in a manner similar to known pinball machines. In the preferred embodiment the general rules are as follows: The player gets five balls, 30 per game. Scoring is made by having a ball enter into one of lit or activated slots  20 . The game can be started by placing coins into slot  42  whereby coin insert and detection unit  60  signals the CPU 50 . The CPU 50  has a control unit which illuminates the game board by LED&#39;s, an LCD for visual display and the audio units. 
     The player selects the desired odds by pressing button  41 . These odds are displayed on the display  33  together with activation, or lighting the select number of slots  20 , a play button  41 A is pressed to lock in the odds. The start button  41 ″ which causes the release of a ball  0  into launch channel  20 ′. Optionally, button  41 ″ controls the slope of the game field to the right or left. However, it is understood that the slope to either side may be permanent. 
     The ball  0  is put into play by extending and releasing knob  32 . The ball in play can be controlled by the skill of the player in being able to control the direction of the ball by a controlled vibration of the machine. Optionally, a tilt mechanism  66  may be provided to control the degree of vibration. If the tilt detector is activated the game is over. 
     The ball  0  travels downward toward the back wall  15  so as to enter one of the slots  20  and activate one of the sensors  21  which are lit. According to the game, either initial failure to enter an activated slot terminates the game or registers no score and permits play of the remaining balls  0 . If the ball enters an activated slot, the CPU senses the display and displays the cumulative score. 
     The projected images and sounds can be triggered b one or more targets or pins  18  which are electrically connected with the CPU 50  to trigger a image or sound upon impact with a ball  0 . There may be provided a projector (not shown) which comprises a cassette with an endless film which cyclically produces an image on the display. There is further the possibility to trigger image reproduction and sound or change when two or more targets have been hit, whether in a predetermined or random sequence. 
     The player may choose to continue to play based on the cumulative score or he may choose to pay out. The machine may be programmed to dispense tickets or coins. 
     Within the housing there can be a step motor  31  associated with the playing field so as to tilt the playing field to one of the sides  16 ,  17 . 
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments shown, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.