Abstract: A reel spin mechanism for use in an amusement or game device includes a reel mounted for rotation, and a disc having notches in its periphery is attached to the reel. A drive lever mechanism having a drive member at its distal end is pivotally mounted, and a system for pivoting the drive lever mechanism toward and away from the disc is provided to engage and disengage the drive member with a notch on the disc. The pivoting system effects full engagement of the drive member with a notch and then effects a few degrees of controlled rotation of the reel in a first direction of rotation. Another mechanism thereafter imparts spin to the reel in a direction opposite the first rotative direction of the reel.

Abstract: A pinball machine having a novel play feature is disclosed. The play feature comprises a tubular member having an entrance and an exit and being downwardly inclined from the entrance to the exit so that gravitational forces will cause a ball entering the tubular member by the entrance to roll to the exit. The play feature further comprises an entrance ramp extending from the playfield to the entrance of the tubular member to allow a ball from the playfield to roll up into the tubular member. If desired, a plurality of lights may be located along the bottom of the tubular member and, in order to actuate the lights, a switching member may be provided at the entrance of the tubular member.

Abstract: In a game device of the type which can have one or more sets of symbols which are placed in motion in response to a player playing the game device and which also has apparatus for stopping the motion, apparatus is disclosed for generating one or more random time delays for stopping the motion of the sets of symbols.

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 TV-type game employs a raster screen television for presenting game symbols. Player operated control switches are encoded to move the symbols. A microprocessor reads the switches. A dually addressed random access memory is employed as the interfacing between the screen and the processor which otherwise function as essentially separate and distinct devices. The memory provides a static storage of the screen pattern for each point in the raster lines with a portion assigned as a processor scratch pad. The memory may be dynamic with periodic refreshing and constructed with individual chips for each of the several bits in a word. The chips are grouped for alternate refreshing and powered during access periods. The processor updates the memory during idle display access periods. The memory is accessed in multiple bit words or bytes for display and processing. For display, a parallel to serial output latch is employed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing paper money or currency bills according to which the bills are lodged in transparent containers fed from a magazine adapted for use in vending, amusement, gaming and other coin-operated or coin-handling machines. The dispensing mechanism is provided with open portions through which the transparent bill containers can be seen through a viewing window in the associated vending-like machine. An electromagnetic dispensing and safety lockout mechanism activates a dispensing gate to release one bill container at a time under control of circuit means in the vending or like associated machine.

Abstract: A mechanical governor and timer of the gear train type operative in combination with cyclically operating mechanisms, particularly game apparatus of the spinning reel type having a repetitious reversal pattern alternating in forward and reverse rotation phases in each duty cycle. Erratic timing and reel machine failure caused by localized gear and bearing wear produced in conventional timers due to the reversal pattern, is eliminated by a form of governor in which the input gear has as a part thereof an input spindle journalled in roller bearings operating in overriding clutch action in the gear hub and adapted for direct coupling with a countershaft component in the game apparatus to render the entire timing gear system unidirectional.

Abstract: A play feature for a pinball machine is described comprising a plurality of drop targets that are preferably located in-line along a confined lane of a pinball playfield, each of the drop targets extending through an opening in the playfield and being movable between an up and a down position. The play feature further comprises means for releasably maintaining each of the drop targets in the up position until struck by a ball propelled up the lane, resetting means for simultaneously raising the drop targets from the down position to the up position, and driving means for driving the resetting means in response to an electric signal being applied thereto.

Abstract: A coin acceptor apparatus has circuitry for energizing a first coil so as to induce a signal in a second coil while a coin to be tested is passed between the coils. Circuitry is further provided for cancelling the signal induced in the second coil when a genuine coin passes between the coils, so that the resultant signal is reduced below a predetermined level. Also, the apparatus accepts the coin when the resultant signal is below the predetermined level, and rejects it when the signal is above the predetermined level.

Abstract: An electronic readout assembly in which the readout unit is captured in a frame which is secured in upright display position on a circuit board which in turn is slideably seated in a bracket adapted for utilization mounting, the readout being of the flat plate type having an array of contact prongs projecting from a bottom edge thereof, and the frame having a bottom opening through which the prongs engage with circuit connections on the circuit board. The frame also has open portions which expose the prongs to convenient access for test purposes in a region between the frame and circuit board.

Abstract: An alternate target configuration is disclosed for a pinball game apparatus or the like, where two adjacent targets are mounted within a frame on the underside of the apparatus playfield, each adapted to move through a playfield opening between an exposed position above the playfield and a hidden position below the playfield. A linkage including an elongated member medially pivoted to the frame in the fashion of a seesaw is connected at its opposite ends to the respective targets, preferably when one target is exposed and the other target is hidden. The linkage is effective to shift both targets simultaneously from one alternate target position to another alternate target position where the other target is exposed and the one target is hidden. A spring toggles the seesaw linkage resiliently to the extreme limit of travel in each alternate target position.

Abstract: A coin detecting device is described comprising a coin chute of the gravity type defining a path down which a coin travels, a delayed-reset microswitch having an actuating arm which is tripped by the passage of the coin down the path, and a plurality of unidirectional coin passing gates located along the path for preventing a cheating operation known as stringing. Stringing involves dropping a coin with a string attached past such a detecting device and manipulating the coin with the string in a manner to make it appear that several coins have passed. The coin detecting device is effective in preventing stringing with coins having slotted and unslotted bodies.

Abstract: A slot machine type amusement apparatus having random control means for possibly advancing one or more drums bearing symbols a fractional turn following a playing cycle in which no winning combination of symbols was displayed and in which the control means was randomly actuated, so as to cause to be displayed a different combination of symbols, thereby according the player an additional opportunity to win a prize.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for stopping a rotatable circular disc of the type which has a plurality of notches in the circumference thereof, such as may be used in game machines which have rotatable symbol carrying reels. The apparatus includes an improved index arm assembly which has the capability of cushioning the shock that occurs when its associated stop member engages a notch of the disc for stopping the same.

Abstract: In amusement and game apparatus of the type having a set of symbol-bearing reels and mechanism for spinning the reels after depositing the proper coins, an electronic control for selecting the stopping positions for the reels, for detection of the reel position, for calculating the payout to the player in response to the reel position, and for monitoring the payout and resetting the device for the next play.

Abstract: A game machine which incorporates apparatus for holding or advancing the reels such that the player may have the option, before spinning the reels, of designating whether a particular reel will spin, or remain stationary, or advance a specified number of index positions.

Abstract: An improved flipper bar used with a pinball game apparatus allowing increased challenges for skilled players and increased unpredictability in ball trajectory for unskilled players, comprising a cantilevered arm having a series of undulations on one side and disposed perpendicular to the playing field.

Abstract: A pin ball machine which incorporates a micro processor instead of relays and hard wiring wherein the processor is programmed such that when the coin switches, the flipper switches and the various scoring switches of the machine are energized the computer accumulates and drives indicators to indicate the score as well as drives the flippers, the sling shots and other units of the playfield to provide an improved machine.

Abstract: An amusement apparatus has a plurality of rotary drums, each bearing a plurality of symbols with each symbol being related to an index position. The drums are caused to be rotated then arrested so as to display a combination of symbols having a certain play value. Two solenoid operated pawls are provided whereby an operator may selectively advance the rotation of one of the drums to a fractional rotation equal to one index position.