IP Library Granted Patent US 12,121,824
Granted Patent B1
US 12,121,824 · App. 17/361,311 · Granted Oct 22, 2024

Amusement device with cooperative gameplay

Inventor: Dwight Sullivan (Elk Grove Village, IL)
Assignee: Stern Pinball, Inc.
A63F7/027A63F7/30A63F9/24A63F2009/2457
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,121,824
App. No.
17/361,311
Granted
Oct 22, 2024
Kind
B1
Abstract

An apparatus for controlling an amusement device includes a plurality of targets of a playfield of the amusement device, a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive an indication that a first target of the plurality of targets is hit during a first player turn. The processor is further configured to send, based on the indication, a signal to a moveable component of the playfield to unlock access to a second target of the plurality of targets during the first player turn. The processor is further configured to determine that the first player turn has ended. The processor is further configured to keep the second target unlocked during a second player turn.

Claims (25)

1. An apparatus for controlling an amusement device comprising:

a plurality of targets of a playfield of the amusement device;

a memory; and

a processor configured to:

receive an indication that a first target of the plurality of targets is hit during a first player turn;

send, based on the indication, a signal to a moveable component of the playfield to unlock access to a second target of the plurality of targets during the first player turn;

determine that the first player turn has ended; and

keep the second target unlocked during a second player turn.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the second player turn has ended.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured to keep the second target unlocked during a third player turn.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to receive a second indication that a third target of the plurality of targets is hit during the second player turn.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to send, based on the second indication, a second signal to a second moveable component of the playfield to unlock access to a fourth target of the plurality of targets during the second player turn.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the second player turn has ended.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to keep the second target and the fourth target unlocked during a third player turn.

8. A method for controlling an amusement device comprising:

receiving, at a processor of a computing device, an indication that a first target of a plurality of targets of a playfield of the amusement device is hit during a first player turn;

sending, by the processor based on the indication, a signal to a moveable component of the playfield to unlock access to a second target of the plurality of targets during the first player turn;

determining, by the processor, that the first player turn has ended; and

keeping, by the processor, the second target unlocked during a second player turn.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising determining, by the processor, that the second player turn has ended.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising keeping, by the processor, the second target unlocked during a third player turn.

11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising receiving, by the processor, a second indication that a third target of the plurality of targets is hit during the second player turn.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising sending, by the processor based on the second indication, a second signal to a second moveable component of the playfield to unlock access to a fourth target of the plurality of targets during the second player turn.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising determining, by the processor, that the second player turn has ended.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising keeping, by the processor the second target and the fourth target unlocked during a third player turn.

Assignments (4)
PATENT ASSIGNMENT Recorded Aug 9, 2024
From: SULLLIVAN, DWIGHT
To: STERN PINBALL, INC.
Reel/Frame 068533/0974 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Nov 20, 2023
From: FIFTH THIRD BANK, N.A.
To: STERN PINBALL, INC.
Reel/Frame 065629/0090 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2023
From: STERN PINBALL, INC.; SPHERE POINT ENTERPRISES, INC.; STERN PINBALL DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL SALES CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 065436/0878 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 28, 2021
From: STERN PINBALL, INC.
To: FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 058597/0283 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 63044795 · Jun 26, 2020