Abstract: A home computer system provides a video processor for use with a television receiver. The video processor can selectively perform a variety of modifications to pixel data under the direction of the CPU of the computer system before the pixel data is stored in a random access memory to effectively increase the speed or data handling power of the system.

Abstract: A sound generator for use with microprocessor controlled amusement games includes a programmable sound generator and programmable filters. The programmable filters utilize duty-cycle-controlled resistors to provide analog filtering under microprocessor control. Resistor duty cycles are made variable over a wide range by means of aperiodic clocking signals.

Abstract: A pinball game, in addition to having an aspect in which a real projectile, i.e., a pinball, is manipulated to strike various targets, has a simulated projectile aspect in which a projectile is simulated by stepwise illumination of lights on an array. Events, in the simulated aspect, such as initiation of the simulated aspect, result from events on the playfield of the real projectile, such as retention of the projectile by a projectile-capture target, and events, such as release of the projectile from the projectile-capture target, result from events in the simulated aspect, such as completion or noncompletion of a maze. The player's total score is reflective of events on both the real and simulated aspect of the game.

Abstract: A game gate device having a variable width passageway for passage of a game ball. The gate device is pivotable for variable passageway spacing between a wide open and a narrow open position, wherein the spacing in both the wide open and narrow open positions are both sufficient to allow passage of the game ball through the gate device. In the preferred embodiment, the gate device is for use in a game having a ball and a downward sloping playfield having an upper and lower portion, the gate device being positioned between the upper and lower portions of the playfield. The gate device is comprised of first and second arms in spaced relationship with one another and aligned lengthwise extending down the playfield, the arms being pivotable at one end between a first and a second position for selectively providing the variable width passageway at the other end of the arms. The relative difficulty of passing the ball through the passageway is determined by the arm positions in either the first or second position.

Abstract: An improved amusement or game device of the type which has one or more indicia-bearing rotatable reels which are rotated upon initiation of play by a player is disclosed. The game device has an improved main drive mechanism which permits the player to vary the initial rotational speed of the reels in direct proportion to the speed in which an associated operating handle is pulled. A supplemental drive mechanism is included for increasing the speed of the reels if the player fails to pull the operating handle with sufficient force to rotate the reels at a predetermined minimum speed. The device also includes an improved indexing means for stopping the reels in accordance with the operation of the game device. The game device also includes means for absorbing excessing energy that may be provided by a player pulling the operating handle with extraordinary speed or force.

Abstract: An improved amusement or game device of the type which has one or more indicia-bearing rotatable reels which are rotated upon initiation of play by a player is disclosed. The game device has an improved main drive mechanism which permits the player to vary the initial rotational speed of the reels in direct proportion to the speed in which an associated operating handle is pulled. A supplemental drive mechanism is included for increasing the speed of the reels if the player fails to pull the operating handle with sufficient force to rotate the reels at a predetermined minimum speed. The device also includes an improved indexing means for stopping the reels in accordance with the operation of the game device. The game device also includes means for absorbing excessive energy that may be provided by a player pulling the operating handle with extraordinary speed or force.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a game device of the type that has a number of rotatable reels having symbols or other indicia on the outer surface thereof, which reels are rotated and subsequently preferably sequentially stopped during each play. The game device has an operating handle that is pulled through its operating stroke by a player and the reels are rotating at a speed that is directly proportional to the speed with which the handle is pulled. Electrical circuitry detects the speed of movement of the handle and varies the strength of an electrical signal that is applied to a drive mechanism which accordingly drivingly rotates the reels at a speed that is proportional to the strength of the signal.

Abstract: An improved amusement or game device of the type which has one or more indicia-bearing rotatable reels which are rotated upon initiation of play by a player is disclosed. The game device has an improved main drive mechanism which permits the player to vary the initial rotational speed of the reels in direct proportion to the speed in which an associated operating handle is pulled. A supplemental drive mechanism is included for increasing the speed of the reels if the player fails to pull the operating handle with sufficient force to rotate the reels at a predetermined minimum speed. The device also includes an improved indexing means for stopping the reels in accordance with the operation of the game device. The game device also includes means for absorbing excessive energy that may be provided by a player pulling the operating handle with extraordinary speed or force.

Abstract: A ball striking mechanism for use in an amusement game machine of the type which has an inclined playfield and at least one ball that moves on the playfield. The striking mechanism is mounted for lateral movement relative to the inclined playfield and is adapted to strike the ball and propel it along the playfield when properly laterally positioned to intercept the ball. In the preferred embodiment, the striking mechanism is activated by the ball. The mechanism is laterally positioned by operator manipulation and the mechanism includes a shock absorbing mechanism which prevents excessive energy applied to the handle from being transmitted to the internal mechanism to thereby protect the same from damage.

Abstract: A pinball machine having a playfield on which at least one drop target is supported for selective actuation relative to the playfield. The drop target includes a post having a conical shaped flange at its upper end, the post being moveable between a position wherein the flange and a portion of the post are disposed above the playfield for impingement by a game ball, and being responsive to impact by the game ball for movement to a position wherein a planar surface on the upper flange is substantially flush with the playfield so as to enable the game ball to pass freely thereover. Movement of the drop target from its raised position to its lowered position upon impact by a game ball serves to propel the ball away from the target.

Abstract: An improved amusement or game device of the type which has one or more indicia-bearing rotatable reels which are rotated upon initiation of play by a player is disclosed. The game device has an improved main drive mechanism which permits the player to vary the initial rotational speed of the reels in direct proportion to the speed in which an associated operating handle is pulled. A supplemental drive mechanism is included for increasing the speed of the reels if the player fails to pull the operating handle with sufficient force to rotate the reels at a predetermined minimum speed. The device also includes an improved indexing mechanism having shock absorbing capability for stopping the reels in accordance with the operation of the game device. The game device also includes mechanism for absorbing excessive energy that may be provided by a player pulling the operating handle with extraordinary speed or force.

Abstract: A play feature for a pinball machine includes one or more movable bumper posts placed near entrances to passages through which a ball will exit from the play of the game. When the bumper post is not actuated the ball can pass freely through a passage entrance. Actuation of the bumper post moves the post parallel to the surface of the playfield to a position hindering ball access to the passage. Bumper post motion may be sufficiently rapid to impart a considerable component of momentum in the direction of motion of the bumper post to the ball when the post contacts the ball.

Abstract: Mechanism for repositioning one of a set of symbol-displaying spinning reels in game apparatus to change the symbol display. A reel-stepping gear with yieldable jambproof overload-responsive driving components changes the position of the reel by coaction with an associated code disc to step the reel in either direction once per duty cycle of the gear and change the position of the reel by an angular amount equal to the spacing of the symbols thereon, while also releasing the existing reel-indexing mechanism so the reel is free to move and then re-indexing the reel in its new position once in each duty cycle. Free-wheeling of the released reel is prevented during the repositioning operation by an automatic brake. Any number of duty cycles may be initiated to change the position of the reel a corresponding number of steps in a given game cycle.

Abstract: A pinball machine controlled by a micro computer including a micro processing unit. A display in the pinball machine comprises an infinity box including a one-way mirror, a two-way mirror disposed in spaced, parallel relation to the one-way mirror, and a plurality of lamps disposed in the space between the two mirrors. A plurality of switches are provided for energizing respective lamps, the micro processing unit being connected to the plurality of switches so as to actuate the plurality of switches in a predetermined sequence whereby the lamps are energized in the predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A line buffer system can display a large number of objects and a background in connection with the play of a video-type game. The system may be used with a microprocessor. Game data is transmitted from the microprocessor during a brief "handshake" operation which may occur at any time. The game data specifies the objects and background to be presented and the screen location of each. The objects and background, respectively, are stored as rectangular blocks in two memories. At least two buffers are provided, each buffer capable of storing data to represent one line of the picture. The system operates upon the game data to load the buffers in real time during picture drawing and just prior to picture drawing. One buffer then outputs a data stream to provide real time control of the drawing of one line of a picture. A flip feature provides for inverting any object or an entire picture about a vertical or horizontal axis, or both.

Abstract: An improved amusement or game device is disclosed which is of the type that has a number of rotatable reels having symbols or other indicia on the outer surface thereof, which reels are rotated and subsequently preferably sequentially stopped during each play. The game device has an operating handle that is pulled through its operating stroke by a player and the reels are rotating at a speed that is directly proportional to the speed with which the handle is pulled. Electrical circuitry detects the speed of movement of the handle and varies the strength of an electrical signal that is applied to a drive mechanism which accordingly drivingly rotates the reels at a speed that is proportional to the strength of the signal. The circuitry is also adapted to vary the time duration of rotation of the reels as a function of the detected speed.

Abstract: A projected gaming method and apparatus including a projector, a screen, one or more three-dimensional games and display apparatus, such as a pin ball game and display, a game changer device, a game selector mechanism and player control units. Each interchangeable projectable three-dimensional game and display apparatus is connected to the projector. Each three-dimensional game and display apparatus includes a printed game control system circuit on a printed circuit board, a complete three-dimensional game mechanism and a game display means attached to the other top side of the printed circuit board, all of which are interconnected. The game mechanism and game display means are displayed on the remote screen by the projector. Each game and display is automatically moved into and out of the projector for placement on the screen by the game changer device that is activated by a player actuating the game selector mechanism.

Abstract: A pinball game has a playing field with ball directing lanes and targets and flipper elements for returning the ball. A programmed logic array is connected to the switches, response lamps, digit scoring lamps, and audible devices. A matrix circuit is connected to the switches and places information into a memory, the output of which is connected through to activate lamps and audible devices which produce a continuous output if energized. A scanning decoder coupled to the matrix circuit is driven from the programmed logic array.