Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems for laser turning and attaching RFID tags to products. Such methods and systems may include a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The methods and systems may include determining a characteristic of a conductive trace on a substrate to be incorporated into an item to configure a tag performance in view of at least one of a dielectric property or a tuning property of the item. The methods and systems may further include a laser to alter the conductive trace on the substrate to have the characteristic to define an antenna for the tag. The methods and systems may further include an attaching device configured to attach a communications enabled device to the substrate so as to form an electrical connection between the communications enabled device and the antenna to form the tag.

Abstract: A pinball machine includes a cabinet, an inclined playfield, and a ball operable across an upperside of the playfield to conduct a gameplay. A plurality of playfield accessories are mounted to the playfield and configured to interact with the ball during gameplay. A controller operates to control gameplay. The pinball machine includes a network connection operably coupling the controller to a network and a remote server. An access device is configured to identify a user and receive authorization from the controller and the remote server to allow the user to conduct a gameplay.

Abstract: A modifiable pinball machine includes a processing device, a memory storing instructions executable by the processing device, a communications interface coupled to the processing device for receiving new music data from a source external to the pinball machine for storage in the memory, and a speaker coupled to the processing device for playing music retrieved from the memory. The new music data is provided with data useable by the instructions to cause the processing device to automatically retrieve from the memory the new music data in lieu of originally provisioned music data, for playing via use of the speaker, when the pinball machine is caused to operate in a predetermined operating state.

Abstract: A front cabinet panel piece, a back panel cabinet piece, a first side cabinet panel piece, and second side cabinet panel piece, each having a plurality of pre-formed openings, are arranged relative to one another to form an amusement game cabinet. The plurality of pre-formed openings are used to accept a corresponding plurality of knock-down hardware pieces each including a fastener locking component and a fastener. The fastener locking components are held within respective first ones of the pre-formed openings and the fastener is inserted into second ones of the pre-formed openings that are aligned with the first ones of the plurality of pre-formed openings. Each fastener is mated to its corresponding fastener locking component to complete assembly of the amusement game cabinet. The assembled amusement game cabinet is used to support a playfield and the playfield, in turn, is used to provide additional structural support to the amusement game cabinet.

Abstract: A modifiable pinball machine includes a processing device, a memory storing instructions executable by the processing device, a communications interface coupled to the processing device for receiving new music data from a source external to the pinball machine for storage in the memory, and a speaker coupled to the processing device for playing music retrieved from the memory. The new music data is provided with data useable by the instructions to cause the processing device to automatically retrieve from the memory the new music data in lieu of originally provisioned music data, for playing via use of the speaker, when the pinball machine is caused to operate in a predetermined operating state.

Abstract: A modifiable pinball machine includes a processing device, a memory storing instructions executable by the processing device, a communications interface coupled to the processing device for receiving new music data from a source external to the pinball machine for storage in the memory, and a speaker coupled to the processing device for playing music retrieved from the memory. The new music data is provided with data useable by the instructions to cause the processing device to automatically retrieve from the memory the new music data in lieu of originally provisioned music data, for playing via use of the speaker, when the pinball machine is caused to operate in a predetermined operating state.

Abstract: An amusement game has a game cabinet, an inclined playfield mounted within the game cabinet, where the playfield defines a game play area having one or more elements to be interacted with by a ball and a ball launching alley from which the ball is moved onto the game play area, and a ball launching device having a ball striking element for launching the ball from the ball launching alley onto the game play area of the playfield. A ball launching guide assembly is disposed within the ball launching alley and is arranged to provide a separation between the ball and a surface of the ball launching alley of the playfield in an area of the ball launching alley that is at least positioned adjacent to the ball launching device.

Abstract: A rollover switch has a housing carrying a depressible cover coupled to a switch whereby a depression of the cover in response to contact being made between the cover and an object movable across a first surface of a playfield of an amusement game functions to activate the switch. A mounting collar is sized to be positioned within an opening formed in the playfield wherein the opening extends between a second surface of the playfield and the first surface of the playfield. The mounting collar and the housing of the switch assembly have cooperating features that allow the switch assembly to be adjustably mounted within the mounting collar to thereby allow the cover to be positioned at a desired location relative to the first surface of the playfield.

Abstract: A rollover switch has a housing carrying a depressible cover coupled to a switch whereby a depression of the cover in response to contact being made between the cover and an object movable across a first surface of a playfield of an amusement game functions to activate the switch. A mounting collar is sized to be positioned within an opening formed in the playfield wherein the opening extends between a second surface of the playfield and the first surface of the playfield. The mounting collar and the housing of the switch assembly have cooperating features that allow the switch assembly to be adjustably mounted within the mounting collar to thereby allow the cover to be positioned at a desired location relative to the first surface of the playfield.

Abstract: A front cabinet panel piece, a back panel cabinet piece, a first side cabinet panel piece, and second side cabinet panel piece, each having a plurality of pre-formed openings, are arranged relative to one another to form an amusement game cabinet. The plurality of pre-formed openings are used to accept a corresponding plurality of knock-down hardware pieces each including a fastener locking component and a fastener. The fastener locking components are held within respective first ones of the pre-formed openings and the fastener is inserted into second ones of the pre-formed openings that are aligned with the first ones of the plurality of pre-formed openings. Each fastener is mated to its corresponding fastener locking component to complete assembly of the amusement game cabinet. The assembled amusement game cabinet is used to support a playfield and the playfield, in turn, is used to provide additional structural support to the amusement game cabinet.

Abstract: A rollover switch has a housing carrying a depressible cover coupled to a switch whereby a depression of the cover in response to contact being made between the cover and an object movable across a first surface of a playfield of an amusement game functions to activate the switch. A mounting collar is sized to be positioned within an opening formed in the playfield wherein the opening extends between a second surface of the playfield and the first surface of the playfield. The mounting collar and the housing of the switch assembly have cooperating features that allow the switch assembly to be adjustably mounted within the mounting collar to thereby allow the cover to be positioned at a desired location relative to the first surface of the playfield.

Abstract: A rollover switch has a housing carrying a depressible cover coupled to a switch whereby a depression of the cover in response to contact being made between the cover and an object movable across a first surface of a playfield of an amusement game functions to activate the switch. A mounting collar is sized to be positioned within an opening formed in the playfield wherein the opening extends between a second surface of the playfield and the first surface of the playfield. The mounting collar and the housing of the switch assembly have cooperating features that allow the switch assembly to be adjustably mounted within the mounting collar to thereby allow the cover to be positioned at a desired location relative to the first surface of the playfield.

Abstract: An electromagnet assembly for use with an amusement game having a playfield and an object which moves across a surface of the playfield. The electromagnet assembly includes a magnet core constructed from a ferromagnetic material, a protector element constructed from a non-ferromagnetic material which is attached to a first end of the magnet core, and a magnet connector assembly disposable around the magnet core for activating the magnet core under control of a processing device of the amusement game. The protector element surrounds the magnet core and is arranged relative to the magnet core such that a surface of the protector element which is to be exposed on the first surface of the playfield is flush to a surface of the magnet core which is also to be exposed on the first surface of the playfield.

Abstract: An amusement game having a cabinet wherein the cabinet is assembled by attaching cabinet pieces together using knock-down fasteners.

Abstract: A device attachable to a beverage container such as a bottle or can that serves to increase the rate at which a beverage contained within the bottle or can is chilled from room temperature to a cooler temperature suitable for consumption. The device is a semi-rigid disc having a serrated edge that facilitates gripping of the device. One side of the disc includes two structures designed to receive and retain the top portion of alternately either a beverage bottle or a beverage can. A circular depression receives and retains a bottle top structure while a concentric circular wall receives and retains the disc on the top of a beverage can. Once the disc is placed on top of the beverage bottle or can, the assembly may be immersed in an ice bath and rotated, or spun, using the serrated edge of the disc as a means for imparting the spinning motion. In addition, a finger recess or aperture may be positioned on a top surface of the disc to further facilitate the manner of imparting a spinning motion to the disc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating presentation materials from a presenter to audience members utilizing a number of USB port based devices. The presenter's USB device includes application plug-in software that loads to the presenter's computer and operates in conjunction with a standard application software product (such as PowerPoint® or Keynote®). As the application software runs, the presentation data from the presenter's computer is directed through the presenter's USB device (utilizing a radio frequency (RF) transceiver) to broadcast the presentation data to the audience members. The audience members have each been provided a USB device that includes an RF transceiver for receiving the transmissions from the presenter's USB device. The presentation data would then be communicated into the audience members' computer systems to be run in association with the resident application and plug-in software present.

Abstract: A device for retaining gloves is provided. The glove retaining device comprises a retaining means for retaining the invention on a contact point selected by the user; an ergonomic body providing sufficient resistance to allow insertion of user's gloves into a glove retaining means of the invention; a glove retaining means for retaining the user's gloves in the invention; and a protective and/or decorative skirt for protecting the user from foreign material on the gloves during insertion or retention in the invention.

Abstract: A video game system and method is provided in which the enabled content of a video game depends upon the type of video game controller coupled to the video game console. Specifically, in response to recognizing the video game controller as being of a matching type, the video game enables or “unlocks” extra features or “secrets” of the video game which are not otherwise available. By creating such a strong synergy between the video game and the matching video game controller, consumers are most likely to be attracted to the matching video game controller instead of other game controllers available in the marketplace.