Abstract: A system for determining switch condition in an amusement device having at least one triggering switch is provided. The system comprises a first circuit for generating a first reference electrical signal, a second circuit linked to the at least one triggering switch for generating a first condition electrical signal, and a comparing circuit connected to the first circuit and the second circuit for comparing the first condition electrical signal to the first reference electrical signal and for generating an output electrical signal indicative of said switch condition based upon the comparison. Specifically, the output electrical signal will indicate if the switch is open, if the switch is closed, if the switch is electrically connected (wiring intact), or if the switch is electrically disconnected (wiring broken).

Abstract: A pinball machine is provided and includes a game cabinet having disposed therein a playfield movable between open, intermediate, and closed positions. A support assembly is used for maintaining the playfield within the cabinet. The support assembly includes a pair of cabinet brackets mounted one to each side of the cabinet where each of the brackets has a riding surface. A pair of wheels are mounted to the playfield and are provided to ride along the riding surface of a corresponding one of the cabinet brackets. A pair of support arms is further provided each having one end thereof pivotally attached to the cabinet and the other end thereof pivotally attached to the playfield wherein at least one of the support arms has pivotally attached thereto a prop arm which is engageable with the playfield when the playfield is disposed in the intermediate position.

Abstract: A matrix address decoder for rolling ball games performs decoding of a sequential identification number and a base address into an offset address corresponding to a memory location containing status information for playfield features or switches. The matrix address decoder also generates a mask byte for use in subsequent logical operations involving the status information contained in memory. The decoded information is returned to the main microprocessor via the system bus. An alternate function returns only the mask byte when the offset address is known by the main microprocessor.