Patents by Inventor Mark Dean Ritchie

Mark Dean Ritchie has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5655770
    Abstract: A pinball machine is provided and includes one or more solenoids for activating one or more play feature mechanisms and a microprocessor for controlling game play activities. The microprocessor has associated therewith a clock for providing timed signals thereto, a memory device having stored therein a plurality of power setting patterns, and a driver. Each of the power setting patterns generally comprises a series of states (ON and OFF) over a predetermined number of counts of the timed signal. One of these patterns is used for each solenoid desired to be controlled. The driver is responsive to the microprocessor for controlling the flow of current to the desired solenoid wherein the driver utilizes the selected pattern to supply pulse width modulated current to the solenoid as a function of the states in the pattern. Preferably, the pattern selected can be changed as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Capcom Coin-Op, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Dean Ritchie, William Clark Pfutzenreuter