Amusement device with an interactive target and projector feature
An amusement device includes an interactive target and projector feature. The device has a cabinet housing a plurality of game input devices and game output devices and a playfield housed within the cabinet. The playfield has a top surface and a lower surface, and the upper surface is configured to allow movement of a ball, such as a pinball thereupon. A projector is operably mounted to the top surface of the playfield and the projector is configured to project an image upon a projection surface of at least one of the game input devices or game output devices located above the top surface.
1. An amusement device with interactive target and projector feature comprising:
a cabinet housing a plurality of game input devices and game output devices;
a playfield housed within the cabinet, the playfield having a top surface and a lower surface, wherein the top surface is configured to allow movement of a ball thereupon; and
a projector operably mounted to the top surface of the playfield, the projector configured to project an image upon a projection surface of at least one of the game input devices or game output devices located above the top surface, and
wherein the game input devices comprise a projection screen assembly, the projection screen assembly comprising a mount coupled to the top surface of the playfield, the mount supporting a movable projection screen comprising the projection surface, and an actuator operably coupled to the movable projection screen, the actuator configured to move the movable projection screen between a generally vertical configuration relative to the playfield and an inclined configuration wherein a first end of the movable projection screen is proximate the playfield and a second end, opposite the first end is elevated from the playfield.
2. The amusement device of claim 1 , wherein the amusement device is a pinball machine.
3. The amusement device of claim 2 , wherein the game input devices comprise a target assembly having the projection surface integrally formed therewith, and the projector projects an image upon the projection surface.
4. The amusement device of claim 3 , wherein a first ball interaction with the target assembly provides a first game outcome when the amusement device is in a first game mode and wherein a second ball interaction with the target assembly provides a second game outcome when the amusement device is in a second game mode,
wherein in the first game mode, the projector projects a first image upon the projection surface, and
wherein in the second game mode, the projector projects a second image upon the projection surface, the second image being different than the first image.
5. The amusement device of claim 2 , wherein the projector is supported by a projector mount coupled to the top surface of the playfield.
6. The amusement device of claim 5 , wherein the projector mount comprises an adjustment mechanism to vary a position of the projector relative to the top surface.
7. The amusement device of claim 2 , wherein the projector is configured to project a plurality of discrete images upon a plurality of discrete projection surfaces.
8. The amusement device of claim 2 , wherein the projection surface is not perpendicular relative to the projector and wherein the projector is configured to project a geometrically manipulated image upon the projection surface.
9. The amusement device of claim 1 , where the projection screen assembly further comprises a non-movable screen laterally located from the movable projection screen.
10. A pinball machine comprising:
a cabinet housing a plurality of game input devices and game output devices;
a processing device coupled to the plurality of game input devices and game output devices, wherein the processing device is configured to monitor interaction of a ball with the plurality of game input devices and game output devices to conduct a gameplay in first game mode and a second game mode;
a playfield housed within the cabinet, the playfield having a top surface and a lower surface, wherein the top surface is configured to allow movement of the ball thereupon to interact with the plurality of game input devices and game output devices; and
a projector operably mounted to the top surface of the playfield, the projector configured to project an image upon a projection surface of at least one of the game input devices or game output devices located above the top surface,
wherein a first ball interaction with the plurality of game input devices and game output devices provides a first game outcome when the processing device is in the first game mode and wherein a second ball interaction with the plurality of game input devices and game output devices provides a second game outcome when the pinball machine is in the second game mode,
wherein in the first game mode, the projector projects a first image upon the projection surface, and
wherein in the second game mode, the projector projects a second image upon the projection surface, the second image being different than the first image, and
wherein the plurality of game input devices and game output devices comprises a projection screen assembly, the projection screen assembly comprising a mount coupled to the top surface of the playfield, the mount supporting a movable projection screen comprising the projection surface, and an actuator operably coupled to the movable projection screen, the actuator configured to move the movable projection screen between a generally vertical configuration relative to the playfield and an inclined configuration wherein a first end of the movable projection screen is proximate the playfield and a second end, opposite the first end is elevated from the playfield.
11. The pinball machine of claim 10 , wherein the projection surface is not perpendicular relative to the projector and wherein the projector is configured to project a geometrically manipulated image upon the projection surface.