Abstract: A system for constructing an anamorphic mirror which reflects an image from an off-axis source such as a CRT display is disclosed. A rectangular frame is provided which has rectilinear top, bottom and side portions defining an inwardly directed continuous groove. The groove is linear along the side portions of the frame, and curved concavely along the top and bottom portions of the frame. A flexible reflective element is provided which is flat and has a trapezoidal shape widest at the top in its unflexed configuration. The element is flexed into a curved shape and inserted into the groove in the frame so that it retains its flexed configuration. The reflective element thus provides a mirror in which the reflected image is expanded towards the sides and presents a one-dimensional infinity effect to simulate a wide field having a variable depth, while maintaining the borders of the field linear to provide the illusion of a rectangle laid back at the top.

Abstract: A microprocessor based data processing system including a microprocessor, a memory unit, and display unit is provided with a programmable graphics generator that transfers graphics information from the memory unit to the display unit in response to and control of a set of display instructions also stored in the memory unit. The graphics generator includes a first addressing unit for sequentially accessing the display instructions from the memory unit; a control unit for receiving, storing and decoding such instruction and for issuing supervisory and control signals in response to the binary state of each instruction; a second addressing unit for accessing graphics information from the memory unit in response to the supervisory signals from the control unit; and a third addressing unit for accessing movable object graphics stored in the memory unit.

Abstract: An electrical control device having a joystick or lever manually movable in the X and Y directions to actuate a pair of electrical components having respective rotatable shafts. The controller includes a housing having a top cover provided with an opening through which the lever extends. The lower end of the lever is pivotally mounted in a socket on the bottom of the housing and a ball joint is carried by the lever intermediate its ends. The ball joint is pivotally coupled to a control plate shiftable in the housing beneath the top cover, the plate being biased into an equilibrium position by a number of leaf springs normally engaging respective side margins of the plate. The plate has a pair of slots in its lower surface, the slots being mutually perpendicular and vertical projections on the outer ends of a pair of bell cranks are shiftably received within respective slots in the plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in shooting an imaginary ball of an electronic pinball game which has score display means comprising a shaft or plunger which shifts longitudinally in a forward direction after being pulled rearwardly and released. Detecting means adjacent to the longitudinal path of travel generates electronic signals as a function of the movement of the shaft and the signals are used as a measure of the speed and direction of the shaft, and the signals are applied to circuitry which operates scoring and other devices controlling the display means. In one embodiment, the detecting means comprises a pair of Hall effect detectors which are longitudinally spaced apart and are actuated by magnets carried by the shaft. In a second embodiment, the detecting means includes a pair of spaced photocells, respective light sources for the photocells, and an opaque tab carried by the shaft for movement between each photocell and its light source.

Abstract: A pinball machine having a main body with a circular upper margin and a conical playing surface extending downwardly from said upper margin and inwardly toward the center of the body. The body has a ball-actuating plunger and curved track near said upper margin so that a ball can be propelled in a circular path along said upper margin and away from the track so that the ball can follow a spiral path and strike one or more targets as it moves over the surface toward the lower extremity thereof. A bumper is mounted on the body near the lower extremity of the conical surface, and the bumper has a shiftable element which is manually actuated by a push-button switch to cause an outward force to be exerted on a ball as the ball approaches the bumper near the lower extremity of the conical surface. The element applies a force to the ball in a certain direction to cause the ball to move upwardly on the conical surface and to strike one or more targets on the conical surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spinning target which is accurately responsive to the force of impact of a pinball on the target. A generally flat target element is suspended above the playfield so that it is rotatable about an axis parallel to the playfield and sufficiently above the field so that the pinball can pass below when the target element is in a horizontal configuration. The target element has a principal axis of inertia generally coincident with the axis of rotation of the target element. The target element is biased so that it is maintained in a vertical configuration until impacted by the pinball. A pair of weights which have a mass density relatively greater than the mass density of the target element are embedded in the target element in its respective extremities. The weights are symmetrically disposed relative to and remote from the principal axis of the target element.

Abstract: A radio frequency oscillator-modulator for use in a video game includes a folded metal shield box having a slot on one of its ends with which a similarly slotted printed circuit board containing the oscillator and modulator is mated. Circuitry of the oscillator and modulator provides for great linearity and low R.F. radiation. The slot arrangement provides for effective grounding of the ground metallization of the external portion of the printed circuit board which contains the radio frequency output terminal along with the various input terminals. This portion contains ground metallization which makes very effective electrical contact with the slot of the shield box thus again containing R.F. radiation.

Abstract: An electronic amusement game incorporating manually operated control circuit devices. A control panel in the game housing is formed with slots through which operating handles of the devices project. A circular protective cover is rotatably mounted between the device and inside surface of the panel. The operating handle projects through a radial slot formed in the cover so that linear movement of the handle rotates the cover. In all positions of the handle the cover provides a shield beneath the panel slot.

Abstract: A shooting arcade game where several players each with a rifle may shoot at several common targets. A multiplexer provides for sequentially connecting a score display associated with each rifle to the targets the multiplexer also enabling the rifle only during the unique and dedicated time period that the associated score display is connected to the targets. An associated loudspeaker for each rifle is also provided.

Abstract: A pair of fastening devices for rigidly securing a circuit board having electrically conductive fingers extending from the edge to an edge connector having slots which engage the fingers and provide electrical coupling of the circuit board to external devices or circuits. Each of the devices includes a fastening member which is first loosely attached to the circuit board by a plurality of flexible ears projecting from a planar portion of the member and inserted through an opening in the circuit board proximate the edge. A drive pin is moved through an aperture in the planar portion to spread apart the flexible ears within the opening and rigidly secure the previously loosely attached member to the circuit board. An end portion on each fastening member overlaps the edge of the circuit board and includes means for retaining the edge connector to the fastening member.

Abstract: A multiple drop target assembly used in an amusement game having a playfield over which balls are moved. A frame mounted below the playfield carries a plurality of targets in side-by-side relationship, with the target heads projecting upwardly through apertures in the playfield. A torsionally rigid reset bar is operated to pivot control arms which in turn are coupled with the targets which are elevated to raised positions where they are releasably latched. When the heads are struck by balls, the targets are unlatched and moved downwardly to lowered positions by spring action. The operating arms of control switches project through apertures formed in the targets so that vertical movement of individual targets actuates the associated switch. The assembly is comprised of modular components for low cost manufacture and to facilitate installation, maintenance and repair.

Abstract: A periscope in a submarine type video game is simulated where there is a correspondence between the actual motion of the rotation of the periscope produced by the player and the perceived motion on the video screen which is observed by the player. Various ships cross the screen which are targets of the game. The apparatus generates several ships at one time throughout a panoramic view and the player by rotation may bring any one of these ships into his actual more narrow field of view.

Abstract: In a video game where several objects are moved across the screen in a horizontal axis in 16 different zones, a RAM type memory has memory locations exclusively dedicated to each zone to provide a starting address for the object in its zone. A single time shared horizontal counter responds to the various starting addresses to successively cause video signals to be generated which provides images of such objects.

Abstract: A ball rollover switch assembly for use in an amusement game having a playfield. A microswitch is mounted below the playfield and carries an operating blade which extends below a slot formed in the playfield. A translucent actuator body is mounted on the free end of the blade and is formed with a nose which projects upwardly through the slot. The blade of the switch in its raised position holds the actuator body so that an upper portion of the nose projects above the playfield. A ball moving across the playfield rolls over the nose to depress the body and move the blade to a lowered position for actuating the switch. Light from a source below the playfield is transmitted through the body to create an illumination effect.

Abstract: An amusement game which includes a rotating column and viewport for simulating the periscope column at the conning station of a submarine. A video tube is mounted within the column and is operated to form a video display simulating periscope scenes projected along the line of sight of the viewport. An enclosure with transparent walls which confine a liquid is carried within the column and is disposed across the line of sight for creating a simulated water line which is superimposed together with a graticule on the video display. A speaker is carried on the column for simulating the audio environment at the conning station. A deck and railing are mounted about the column, and the railing supports a simulated overhead above the column. A cupola having a peripheral panel of transparent material is mounted on the overhead, and a backlighted drum displaying a panoramic scene is mounted within the cupola for rotation with the column.