Patents by Inventor Michael D. Toler

Michael D. Toler 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).

  • Publication number: 20110034254
    Abstract: An arcade racing game includes a plurality of vehicles that move along a race track and derive power from the race track. The race track includes a series of concentric power supply coils embedded beneath the top surface of the race track. Each of the power supply coils receives a supply of power. Each vehicle operating on the race track includes a pickup coil that inductively receives current from the power supply coils. The induced voltage in the pickup coil is used to charge an internal power storage device and a drive motor within the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Bay Tek Games, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Toler
  • Patent number: 5833235
    Abstract: A pinball machine comprises a position controller and a movable feature on the pinball machine. The position controller comprises a servomotor connected in operative relation to a shaft. The movable features connect to the shaft and are movable between several positions by the shaft. Circuitry is provided to produce a signal to command movement of the feature to one of the positions in a manner responsive to an event taking place in the pinball machine. Electronic circuitry causes the servomotor to move the shaft to a specific position in response to the signal, without the need for mechanical switches. Specifically, a plate-like, movable obscurer for the flippers is disclosed as the movable feature, although other types of movable features are discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Sega Pinball, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Michael D. Toler
  • Patent number: 5673913
    Abstract: A pinball game in which an electromagnet is positioned on or below the playfield. A computer-controlled circuit is connected to the electromagnet and is operable to detect and control the pinball in response to changes in the magnetic field of the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Sega Pinball, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Toler, Ward L. Pemberton
  • Patent number: 5558373
    Abstract: A pinball machine comprises a position controller and a movable feature on the pinball machine. The position controller comprises a servomotor connected in operative relation to a shaft. The movable features connect to the shaft and are movable between several positions by the shaft. Circuitry is provided to produce a signal to command movement of the feature to one of the positions in a manner responsive to an event taking place in the pinball machine. Electronic circuitry causes the servomotor to move the shaft to a specific position in response to the signal, without the need for mechanical switches. Specifically, a plate-like, movable obscurer for the flippers is disclosed as the movable feature, although other types of movable features are discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Sega Pinball, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Michael D. Toler