Abstract
An arcade game comprising an elevated ally having a first flat planar section to receive rolling game elements and a second alley section having a plurality of targets, wherein the targets are passages though the second alley section and sized to allow the rolling elements to pass through said passages and game has a compressed gas reservoir and a plurality of exit portals and a controller that allows players to release gas and affect the motion of rolling elements on the target section.
Claims
1. An arcade game comprising: an elevated alley, said alley having a first planar section to receive rolling game elements, and a second alley section comprising targets, wherein said second alley section is substantially level, wherein when a rolling element is introduced to said game it may roll from said first alley section to said second alley section, and said targets further comprising passages through said second alley section that are sized to allow said rolling elements to pass through said passages, and each said target further comprising a sensor configured to detect when a rolling element passes through said passage, and a device to compress gas and a compressed gas reservoir, and a passage from said compressed gas reservoir to at least one compressed gas release valve, and a nozzle, said nozzle located in proximity to said second alley section and positioned to release compressed gas so as to affect rolling elements on said second alley section, and a compressed gas control switch for controlling the release of compressed gas through said compressed gas release valve, said arcade game further comprising a credit detector, a credit switch, a central controller and a display, wherein in response to the detection of a predetermined credit, said controller will activate said credit switch, and upon activation of said credit switch said central controller activates said compressed gas control switch, receives input from said target sensors and provides an output to said compressed air release valve and said display, and wherein said display provides information from said target sensors.
2. The arcade game recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of input switches for controlling the release of compressed gas and a plurality of compressed gas release valves and nozzles, each said switch corresponding to one of each said compressed gas released valves for the introduction of blasts of compressed gas through nozzlel at or near said second alley section.
3. The arcade game of claim 2 further comprising a camera, said camera oriented to capture an image of a player adjacent to said first alley section.
4. The arcade game as recited in claim 3 wherein said image from said camera is provided on said display.
5. The arcade game recited in claim 3 further comprising a printer wherein one or more selected images captured from said camera may be directed to said printer for reproduction.
6. A game system comprising a plurality of connected arcade games units as recited in claim 1, each said game unit connected to a second controller, wherein said second controller is configured to simultaneously activate a plurality of games and is provided information from each connected game's target sensors, and said controller is configured to detect the first game that has activated a predetermined set of target sensors.
7. The game system of claim 6 wherein said predetermined set of targets are oriented in a line comprising at least four targets.
8. The game system of claim 6 further comprising a central display, wherein said game display provides information relating to the targets that have been activated for each game in said system.
9. The game system of claim 6 further comprising a camera, said camera oriented to capture images in proximity to said first alley section and display said images on said central display.
10. The game system of claim 6 wherein said targets are configured in a grid arrangement.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment according to the invention.
(2) FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of components of the invention according to the first embodiment of the invention.
(4) FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(5) Now referring to FIG. 1, the embodiment of the invention is a modified. Fascination game 100 that includes a play surface 104 on which a player can roll game balls over the incline 110 and toward target area 124 that includes 25 targets including targets 125. The targets are round holes provided through surface 124 and are sized larger than the balls so that balls can pass through the targets and fall into a retainer area. Target area 124 is surrounded by inclined surfaces 118, 112, 119 and 113 that cause balls that do not fall into targets to roll back into the target area. Shown in the inclined surface are slot openings in which are provided a series of exit ports that may release compressed air blasts in response to user input. The user may activate solenoids that control the release of compressed air with switches 150, 152, 154 and 156 that open a valve to release a blast of air which can affect the movement of balls that are rolling on the surface 124. This feature allows a player to direct balls toward desired targets and thereby provides players with increased control over the outcome of the game. Balls are provided to the at access area 154. In an embodiment a single ball is used and is returned to the player. The game is activated by a player providing a credit to activated device 152 which releases balls to the player at access area 154. As ball pass through the target openings they are detected by a detector and a corresponding light, such as light 130, is activated on progress display area 120. A second display 127 is provided above the progress and image display 120 which is an LED screen that is controlled by a central progressor. Second display 127 provides the status of progress of linked games so that a player can see the status of the targets on other player's games that have been hit and which targets need to be activated in order to win the game. Progress and image display 120 may also depict an image of the player adjacent to an image of the score display so each player is provided with information about the status of each player and to see if any single player is close to completing hitting five targets in a row during play. Images of the player are captured with camera 128 that is directed to the player location at the opposite end of the device. When the game is over, an award is provided to the winning player. The award may be in the form of credits, cash, or tickets from dispenser 157. In an embodiment, a printout of a photograph of the winner player is also distributed using printer 155.
(6) FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The game includes a play field area 124 through which are a series of holes, such as holes 175, arranged in a five by five grid. At the rear of the game there is a first display 120 which tracks and displays the holes that have been successfully hit and a dynamic display board 127, comprised of a LED monitor, that can display scores and images from other linked games, images of game play, game directions and instructions. The game is played by rolling a ball down inclined surface 104, over elevated hump section 110 and into the play field. The ball is maintained in the play field 124 by inclined surfaces 118, 119, 112, and 113, that surround the play field. The player can control the balls on the play field by the timed release of air from portals that are provided through the inclined surfaces, such as portal 114, which can cause a ball on the surface 124 to move. After the ball is released by a player, transparent shield 108 prevents a player from interfering with the ball after release. Rail 106 keeps the balls in play. The nozzle switch activators are not shown.
(7) Referring now to FIG. 3, components of the invention include a central processing unit 300 which receives input and provides output to various components of the game. The game is activated by the credit acceptor 302 which may be in the form of a credit card or electromagnetic card reader, a dollar bill acceptor, or coin or token detector. If a credit is detected, a credit switch is activated and, in response to the activation of the switch, game pieces, such as balls are released to the player at an access location using a game piece lock and release device 304. Device 304 may be a gate controlled by a solenoid or motor and restricts access to the game pieces. The player is then free to roll or propel the game pieces toward the targets. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, balls are rolled down toward the target field in other embodiments, the balls may be propelled by use of a plunger or powered by a solenoid. Four nozzle actuators, 310, 312, 314 and 316 are provided each of which is located on the four sides of the play field. A player can individually control each of the actuators by manipulation of the nozzle activation controller 308 that includes four switches, each which is connected and controls a separate actuator. Also connected to the central controller 300 is a compressor 320, that provides compressed air to the nozzles. Central controller 300 also controls display 318, a camera 324 and a ticket dispenser 322. Here, the score display and the dynamic display are schematically illustrated as a single display 318, and in embodiments, a single display may serve both functions. A printer 316 is provided so that images taken by the camera can be printed and provided to winning players. The controller or central processor 300 is also in communication with target hole detector 306. When the game is activated, balls are released by game piece releaser and lock 304 which consists of a solenoid-controlled gate.
(8) FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. This figure shows inclined ramp surface 400 and hump 405 over which balls are rolled toward the play field surface. On the four sides of the play field are inclined surfaces such as surface 420 and 430. Depicted in this view as can be seen within portal 408 are a series of nozzles, such as nozzle 410. In this embodiment the release of gas from all of the nozzles in a portal are activated by a single switch. In contemplated alternative embodiments, the release of gas from each nozzle may be activated by a separate switch. When a ball falls through an opening, such as opening 421, it is detected by a sensor that includes light source 414 and light detector 423. A signal from the detector 423 is sent to the central controller and, in response, an indicator light that corresponds to the opening is illuminated. This depiction also shows an air compressor 416 and an air supply hose 412 that directs compressed air to the nozzle 401 that is provided in a portal. through the front inclined surface and a nozzle 438 that is provided through portal 435 that is provided through rear inclined surface 430.
(9) It will be clear to one skilled in the art that the embodiments described above can be altered in many ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims and their legal equivalents.
