United States Patent [191 [11] 4,375,286 Seitz et al. [45] Mar. 1, 1983

[54] ELECTRONIC APPARATUS OTHER PUBLICATIONS [75] Inventors: Adolf Seitz, West Chicago; John “Volcano (Game #667) Instruction Manual”, Gottlieb West Buras, Chicago, both of 111. Amusement , pp. 1—42, 1981. [73] Assignee: D. Gottlieb & C0., Northlake, Ill. “New York, NY. Instruction Manual”, Gottlieb Amusement Games, 1980. [21] Appl. No.: 288,491 Primary Examiner—Vance Y. Hum [22] Filed: Jul. 30, 1981 Assistant Examiner-Mary Ann Stoll Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Arnold, White & Durkee [51] Int. Cl.3 ...... A63F 7/02; A63F 9/22 [52] US. Cl...... 273/121 A; 273/DIG. 28; [57] ABSTRACT 273/313 An electronic game apparatus comprising both video [5 8] Field of Search ...... 273/DIG. 28, 121 A, game play and game play. Operation of the 273/54 C play is enabled by game play conditions of [56] References Cited the pinball game play and visa versa. Video game play is implemented using a CRT supported by a housing U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS common to the pinball game. 4,131,948 12/1978 Kaenel ...... 273/54 C 4,239,219 12/1980 Hae?iger ...... 273/121 A 13 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US. Patent Mar. 1, 1983 Sheet 1 of3 4,375,286

W‘ “@ J US. Patent Mar.1, 1983 Sheet2 of3 4,375,286

GREEN DRAGON H/T

SOOREIOOO + ALL DRAGONS ADD BONUS TURN BLUE

r5329”, 3

GR ALL DRAGONS DRAGONS __. OMPLET TURN GREEN

v REASSEMBLE A m/N 5537,25,; 5SEc. < YELLOW ) STOP DRAGON H/T

ScORE 7000 + IBONUS ( DRAGONDLL/E H/T ) T/MES MULI

SCORE 7000+ LIGHT ADD BONUS ' SPEC/AL

BL. DRAGONS Y COMPLETE (/SCREEN) US. Patent Mar. 1, 1983 Sheet 3 of3 4,375,286

LEAvE V/DO GA M

TURN OFF PLAYF/ELD

CHANGE ALL BLUE r0 GREEN J

KICK P/NBALL F" 4. ON TO A 6’ v ’ PL AYF/ELD

ENTER VIDEO GAME

START YELLOW DRAGON TIME R

r \ Y CHANGE ALL TIME our YELLOW DRAGONS 7 STOP RED N

SUBTRACT T/ME 4,375,286 1 2 ejected from the captive area and re-enters the pinball ELECTRONIC GAME APPARATUS play?eld. In a preferred embodiment, the pinball play ?eld is then activated for the player who has not been BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION defeated in the video portion. For the player who has 1. Field of the Invention been defeated in the video game, the pinball play?eld is The present invention relates in general to electronic not activated, when video play is concluded. game apparatus, and, more particularly, to such appara tus comprising both pinball and video games. - BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 2. Description of the Prior Art In the accompanying drawings: Designers of constantly strive to FIG. 1 is a perspective view of game apparatus in provide innovations to continue the interest of the pub accordance with the present invention. lic in playing such games. In the case of pinball games, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the captive new drop-target and roll-over switch designs and new areas of the pinball play?eld shown in FIG. 1. game strategies in general have been developed for FIGS. 3 and 4 are ?ow diagrams which illustrate the attracting players and continuing the high interest in operation of subroutines which are executed by a sys pinball. Recently, there have been proposals to innovate tem controller during video play. the play?eld itself in an attempt to provide new attrac tions to the pinball player. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED Video games are also available in the marketplace EMBODIMENT and have gained a substantial amount of popularity. 20 It will be appreciated that the present invention can Video games include a cathode ray tube (CRT) which provides the play?eld for the game. Typical video take many forms and embodiments. One embodiment of games display a number of targets on the CRT which the invention is illustrated and described to give an are engaged by a video ball, which is under the control understanding of the invention. It should be understood of the player. 25 that the following description is intended to be illustra No known game apparatus has combined the features tive, and not limiting, of the invention. of pinball and video into a single game. This novel and With reference now to FIG. 1, game apparatus 100 is useful result is provided by the present invention. constructed and arranged according to the present in vention. Apparatus 100 includes a pinball portion hav SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ing play?eld 102 for supporting a ball 101, which is The present invention provides new and improved sloped upward from the usual player position 103 for a electronic game apparatus which integrates the features pinball game. A cabinet 104 is provided for supporting of pinball and video games into a single game. Such the play?eld 102, and a set of supporting legs 105 is combination permits the player of the game to derive provided for elevating the cabinet 104 to a height con the recreational bene?ts of pinball and video games 35 venient to the player. A plunger or shooter 107 and a set from a single integrated game. of ?ipper control switches 108 are disposed in the cabi According to one aspect of the invention, the pinball net 104 near the player position 103. Sets of pop-bump portion of the apparatus has a ball supporting play?eld ers 109, ?ipper mechanisms 110, and other ball propel which de?nes a player position adjacent to the play?eld ling devices such as sling shots, etc. are disposed in a and which is sloped upwardly away from the player 40 conventional manner on the play?eld 102. A conven position. The play?eld has one or more ?ipper mecha tional solenoid-operated outhole (not shown) is pro nisms disposed on it for propelling a ball or surface vided to return the ball to the shooter 107 when the ball projectile away from the player to engage one or more is lost in play between the ?ipper mechanisms 110 or targets on the pinball play?eld. As the player engages when the ball is returned to the pinball play?eld after the targets on the play?eld, the apparatus operates to 45 completion of unsuccessful video play as described accumulate and display a score. below. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, A back glass assembly 112 is supported at the end of means are provided for participating in video play, cabinet 104 opposite the player position 103. The back dependent on the ball achieving a selected pinball con glass assembly 112 has the usual pinball assemblies such dition during pinball play. In a presently preferred em 50 bodiment of the invention, such aspect is implemented as scoring displays 113, game tally display 114, and by the player directing the ball into one of two captive ball-in-play display 115. areas on the play?eld. Each captive area includes a Still referring to FIG. 1, apparatus in accordance detection element, e.g. a switch, which the ball engages with the present invention also comprises a video por while in the captive area. In this presently preferred 55 tion. As an outstanding feature of the invention, the embodiment, the game apparatus responds to engage pinball game and the video game are integrated physi ment of the switch to disable the pinball portion of the cally into a single cabinet. Similarly the game play for game, when the player is participating in video play. the pingame and the video game is integrated so that The player then participates in video play by using an one depends upon the other. The player is thus pro operator actuable control, which may, for example, vided with the advantages and challenges of each game comprise a “joy stick”. The operator-actuable control is in a single game. used to guide the video ball to engage targets on the A cathode ray tube (CRT) 120 forms the play?eld for video play?eld and thereby accumulate score. the video portion. The CRT 120 is disposed on the In accordance with another aspect of the invention, play?eld 102 at the opposite end of the cabinet 104 from means are provided for the player to again participate in 65 the player position 103. The video portion of the appa pinball play responsive to the video ball achieving a ratus in accordance with the present invention also selected video condition during video play. When such includes an operator-actuable control for controlling video condition is achieved by the player, the ball is video play and such operator-actuable control prefera 4,375,286 3 4 bly takes the form of a manual “joy stick” 130, as shown destroy the video ball. If the video ball is caught by a in FIG. 1. dragon of the second color at any time, the video ball is The play?eld 102 includes two captive areas 121 and consumed, and video play is terminated. The pinball is 122 for the ball 101, which captive areas are located then kicked from the captive hole by ejector 119. In this near the CRT 120 as shown. It will be appreciated that situation the pinball play?eld 102 preferably remains the captive areas 121 and 122 may be located at other deactivated, and the ball 101 exits the play?eld 102 suitable locations in the play?eld 102. through an outhole (not shown). When the ball 101 As shown in FIG. 2, each captive area 121,122 in again is shot onto play?eld 102, the above process is cludes a switch 118, which is engagable by the ball 101. repeated. The engagement of switch 118 produces a signal, which In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the video is input to a system controller for changing operation of play?eld includes “escape’.’ areas, into which the video the game apparatus from pinball to video play, as de ball may be guided by the player by the joy stick 103. In scribed below. Each captive area 121, 122 also includes these escape areas, the video ball is protected from an ejector 119, which operates to eject the ball 101 from destruction by the dragons of the second color. Entry of the captive area. 15 the video ball into an escape area causes video play to Apparatus in accordance with the present invention be terminated. Likewise, successful engagement of all preferably includes a system controller employing a targets on the video play?eld causes video play to be conventional microcomputer (not shown), which is terminated. In either of these situations, the kicker 113 programmed to control the operation of the game, as ejects ball 101 onto the play?eld 102. In these situations, described below. Such microcomputer is preferably however, play?eld 102 is reactivated (enabled) and housed in the cabinet 104 underneath the play?eld 102. pinball play may be resumed. If the ball 101 again enters A typical pinball is that used by D. a captive area 121 or 122, video play is again enabled Gottlieb & Co., Northlake, 111., for example in its cur and pinball disabled. Video play commences in this rent pinball games. Also, a typical video game control situation with the same targets'on CRT 120 as were ler is that used by D. Gottlieb & Co., for example in 25 video games manufactured by it in the past. Although it present when video play was disabled. is believed unnecessary for purposes of enabling disclo As used herein the term “enable” shall mean to allow sure, an instruction manual for Gottlieb’s Volcano pin game play, either pinball or video, to proceed. The term ball game and an instruction manual for Gottlieb’s New “disable” shall mean to at least partially interrupt a York, New York video game are speci?cally incorpo game function, either a pinball or video game function, rated herein by reference to the extent necessary. to prevent game play. For example, pinball play is “dis The operation of the present invention is now de abled” when the ball 101 is held in the captive areas 121, scribed. Upon initial activation, the microcomputer in 122 regardless of whether the ?ippers,'bumpers, etc. are the cabinet 104 operates to permit the player to partici activated or deactivated. Similarly, video play is “dis pate in pinball play by enabling the play?eld 102 of the 35 abled” when the joy stick 130 no longer can control the pinball portion of the game. The ball 101 is then pro video ball, regardless of whether background scenes pelled onto the play?eld 102 by the shooter 107, and remain on the CRT 120. engages the targets thereon. The player accumulates a With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are score based on the engagement of said targets by stan shown flow diagrams which illustrate the operation of dard pinball techniques. The score accumulated by the 40 subroutines which are executed by the system control player during pinball play is displayed in one of the ler (not shown) during video play. scoring displays 113. What is claimed is: In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mi 1. The combination of a pinball game and a video crocomputer operates to disable video play while the game comprising: player participates in pinball play. However, it should 45 (a) a housing; be appreciated that the present invention is intended to (b) means supported by said housing for de?ning embrace games which operate to permit video play and pinball play, including a ball and a play?eld for pinball play to proceed simultaneously. supporting the ball, ?ippers for propelling the ball To change from pinball play ‘to video play, the opera on the play?eld and ball actuated devices on the tor directs the ball 101 into either captive area 121, 122. 50 play?eld for effecting selected pinball conditions The signal produced by the ball 101 engaging the when engaged by the ball; switch 118 in either captive area 121 or 122 is sensed by (0) means supported by said housing, including a the microcomputer. The microcomputer responds to video selected display, for de?ning video play, the engagement of either of those switches to permit where operation of the video play means de?nes video play to proceed. When video play is enabled, 55 video conditions; and play?eld 102 is preferably deactivated, i.e. disabled. ((1) means for enabling operation of said video play The player in the video portion of the game prefera means dependent upon the ball achieving said se bly controls a spot of light, i.e., a video ball, set amid a lected pinball condition during pinball play to per background on the CRT. The video ball may be guided mit integrated pinball-video play. by the operator with a joy stick 130 to engage one or 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means more suitable targets which are displayed on the CRT for enabling operation of said pinball play means upon 120. In a preferred embodiment of the present inven said selected video condition. tion, the video play de?nes a kill-the-attacking-dragon 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said pinball play theme. The CRT 120 initially displays a plurality of enabling means includes a player controlled input dragons of one color which are “hit” or “rolled over” 65 mechanism. by the video ball to score points. As the dragons of the 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means ?rst color are hit, they are destroyed and turn into drag responsive to selected ones of said pinball conditions for ons of a second (red) color, which try to catch and altering said video conditions during video play. 4,375,286 5 6 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said altering 10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: means includes a ball capturing mechanism on said means for enabling pinball play upon the disablement play?eld. of video play, when the player has not been de 6. The combination of a pinball game and a video feated during video play. game comprising: 5 11. The combination of a pinball game and a video (a) a housing; game, comprising: (b) means supported by said housing for de?ning (a) a housing; pinball play, including a ball and a play?eld for (b) means supported by said housing for de?ning supporting the ball, ?ippers for propelling the ball pinball play, including a ball and a play?eld for on the play?eld and ball actuated devices on the 10 supporting the ball, ?ippers for propelling the ball play?eld for effecting pinball conditions when en on the play?eld, and ball actuated devices on the gaged by the ball; play?eld for effecting selected pinball conditions (c) means supported by said housing for de?ning when engaged by the ball; video play, including a video display where an (0) means supported by said housing, including a operation of the video play means de?nes selected 15 video display, for de?ning video play, where oper video conditions; and ation of the video play means de?nes video condi (d) means for enabling operation of said pinball play tions; and means dependent upon said selected video condi (d) means for disabling operation of the pinball play tion to permit integrated pinball-video play. means and for enabling operation of said video play 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said pinball play means dependent upon the ball achieving said se enabling means includes a player controlled input lected pinball condition during pinball play. mechanism. 12. The combination of a pinball game and a video 8. The apparatus of claim 6, further including means game comprising: responsive to selected ones of said pinball conditions for (a) a housing; altering said video conditions during video play. 25 (b) means supported by said housing for de?ning 9. The combination of a pinball game and a video pinball play, including a ball and a play?eld for game, comprising: supporting the ball, ?ippers for propelling the ball (a) a housing; on the play?eld and ball actuated devices on the (b) means supported by said housing for de?ning play?eld for effecting pinball conditions when en pinball play, including a ball and a play?eld for 30 gaged by the ball; supporting the ball, ?ippers for propelling the ball (0) means supported by said housing for de?ning on the play?eld and ball actuated devices on the video play, including a video display where an play?eld for effecting pinball conditions when en~ operation of the video play means de?nes selected gaged by the ball; video conditions; and (c) means supported by said housing, including a 35 (d) means for disabling operation of said video play video display, for de?ning video play, where oper means and for enabling operation of said pinball ation of the video play means de?nes selected play means dependent upon said selected video video conditions, said video display including a condition. video ball; 13. The combination of a pinball game and a video (d) at least one captive area on the play?eld into game comprising: which the ball may be directed by a player of the (a) a housing; game, each said captive area including a switch (b) means supported by said housing for de?ning which the ball engages when in the captive area; pinball play, including a ball and a play?eld for (e) means in said housing for detecting the engage supporting the ball, means for propelling the ball ment of the switch in the captive area by the ball, 45 on the play?eld, and ball actuated devices on the and for enabling video play and disabling pinball play?eld for effecting pinball conditions when en play responsive to said engagement; gaged by the ball; (l) operator-actuable control for guiding the video (0) means supported by said housing, including a ball on the video play?eld to engage targets video display for de?ning selected video play, thereon; where operation of the video play means de?nes (g) means for disabling video play dependent on the video conditions; and video ball achieving a selected condition during (d) means for operating said pinball play means and video play; and said video play means in response to the play con (h) means for ejecting the ball from a captive area dition of either the video play means or the pinball onto the play?eld responsive to the disablement of 55 play means. video play. * * it * *

65 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION

Patent No. 4,375,286 Dated March 1, 1983

Inventor“) Adolf Se1tz and John west Buras

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: In tne tltle, change "ELECTRONIC GAME APPARATUS" to — ELECTRONIC VIDEO AND PINBALL APPARATUS —— . '

Column 1, line 1, change "ELECTRONIC GAME APPARATUS" to -- ELECTRONIC VIDEO GAME AND PINBALL APPARATUS ——. Column 2,- line 55, change "pinball game" to ——pingame ——. Column 4, line 53, after "defining", insert ——selected ——. Signed and Scaled this Twenty-third Day Of August 1983 ISEALI ‘Arrest:

GERALD J. MOSSINGI-IOF F A ttesting Officer 7 Commissioner of Parents and Trademarks