Arcade Machine

This application claims priority to Taiwanese Invention Patent Application No. 114112359, filed on Mar. 31, 2025, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

The disclosure relates to an arcade cabinet for recreational purposes, and more particularly to an arcade machine.

Pinball is a wildly popular traditional game. Typically, the pinball game involves launching a ball toward the top of a cabinet that is planted with a number of obstacles (e.g., nails), and that has a plurality of retaining compartments which are located at the bottom of the cabinet, and each of which is associated with a specific score. As the ball falls down in the cabinet, a trajectory of the ball may be deflected by the obstacles, and therefore the ball may drop into one of the retaining compartments, giving a player the associated score. In some variations, special prizes may be given to the player when the ball drops into a designated one of the retaining compartments. In some variations, a plurality of holes are formed in the bottom of the cabinet, and the ball may drop into one of the holes. Currently, electronic components have been incorporated into the pinball machines.

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide an arcade machine that is configured to provide additional playing mechanisms over the conventional pinball machines.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, an arcade machine includes a main body, a sensor unit, and a processor.

The main body includes a cabinet that is disposed on a base, that has an opening and that forms a gaming space, a display screen that is disposed on the cabinet to cover the opening, the display screen displaying a playing screen, the playing screen including a virtual object that is related to playing the arcade machine, an operating mechanism that is disposed on the cabinet and that is operable by a player, a plurality of obstacles that are disposed in the cabinet, and a moving object that is driven to move within the gaming space by operation of the player operating the operating mechanism.

The sensor unit, when activated, continuously detects a location of the moving object in the gaming space, so as to generate a location signal indicating the location of the moving object.

generating, by the contact detection module, a contact signal in the case that it is determined based on the location signal that a two-dimensional (2D) location of the moving object in the gaming space corresponds with a 2D location of the virtual object on the display screen; in response to receipt of the contact signal, the calculating module to calculate an accumulated score associated with the player; in response to receipt of one of the contact signal and the accumulated score, the triggering module to generate and transmit a triggering signal to the operation module in the case that it is determined that a preset triggering condition is met; and in response to receipt of the triggering signal, the operation module to implement a change operation to change the playing screen into a changed playing screen based on the triggering signal, and control the display screen to display the changed playing screen based on the change operation. The processor includes a contact detection module connected to the sensor unit, a calculating module connected to the contact detection module, a triggering module connected to the contact detection module and the calculating module, and an operation module connected to the contact detection module, the triggering module and the display screen. The processor is configured for:

Before the disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be noted that where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics.

Throughout the disclosure, the term “coupled to” or “connected to” may refer to a direct connection among a plurality of electrical apparatus/devices/equipment via an electrically conductive material (e.g., an electrical wire), or an indirect connection between two electrical apparatus/devices/equipment via another one or more apparatus/devices/equipment, or wireless communication.

1 FIG. 3 FIG. 100 100 1 2 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arcade machineaccording to one embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, the arcade machineincludes a main body, a sensor unit, and a processor(see).

1 12 120 13 12 14 12 15 120 17 14 12 16 12 15 120 1 FIG. The main bodyincludes a base (not shown), a cabinetthat is disposed on the base in an inclined manner, and that forms a gaming space, a display screenthat is disposed on the cabinet, a plurality of obstaclesthat are disposed in the cabinet, a plurality of moving objects(only one is shown in) that are driven to move within the gaming space, a plurality of compartment membersthat are disposed below the obstaclesin the cabinet, and an operating mechanismthat is disposed on the cabinetand that is operable by a player to drive the moving objectto move within the gaming space.

1 18 19 120 18 3 1 In some embodiments, the main bodyfurther includes an operating interfacethat includes a set of buttons for allowing the player to implement additional operations, and a rampthat is disposed at a bottom of the gaming space. The operating interfaceis electrically connected to the processor. The configuration of the main body(including a size and an appearance thereof) may be implemented according to practical needs, and is not limited to the disclosure herein.

1 FIG. 1 FIG. 12 13 120 120 100 14 17 17 12 170 170 15 17 170 14 17 As shown in, the cabinethas a top plate that has a curved inner surface, and two side plates that are interconnected by the top plate. The display screenmay be disposed under an inner surface of the gaming space, and may be controlled to display a playing screen (M) under the gaming space. The playing screen (M) may include one or more virtual objects (F) that are related to playing a game provided by the arcade machine. The virtual objects (F) may stay fixed or move at random. The plurality of obstaclesmay be embodied using rods made of plastic, metal, glass, etc. The plurality of compartment membersmay be embodied using rods, boards or other objects, and in the embodiment of, the compartment membersmay be grouped into a plurality of vertical lines that are parallel to the side plates of the cabinetand that define a number of passages. The passagescan be passed through by the moving object. For example, each of the vertical lines may be formed by three compartment membersarranged vertically. The playing screen (M) may further include a plurality of collectable objects (B) that are associated respectively with the passages. It is worthy of note that the obstaclesand the compartment membersmay be implemented by using similar objects, and main differences thereamong are positions thereof.

1 FIG. 170 In the embodiment of, the playing screen (M) shows an aquarium or an oceanic background, the virtual objects (F) may be various kinds of fishes, and the collectable objects (B) may be in the form of gems, each having a specific color, and are respectively displayed at different locations respectively corresponding to the passages.

15 16 12 162 164 162 166 162 12 192 194 12 The moving objectmay be a non-transparent ball, and the operating mechanismis disposed near one of the side plate (e.g., the right side plate) of the cabinet, and may include a rod, a springsleeved on the rod, and a handleconnected to the rod. In this embodiment, the cabinetfurther includes a side barthat defines a tunnelwith the right side plate of the cabinet.

19 15 120 162 166 164 15 19 162 166 162 15 15 194 14 15 120 14 15 15 170 19 162 15 In use, the rampis disposed in a manner where the moving objectinitially is in the bottom of the gaming spaceand in contact with one end of the rod. Then, the player may pull the handle, which causes the springto be compressed, and causes the moving objectto roll off the ramponto the end of the rod. When the player releases the handle, the spring is released and propels the rodto hit the moving object, and the moving objectis propelled upwardly, rolls on the curved inner surface of the top plate, passes through the tunnel, and lands onto the plurality of obstacles. As the moving objectdrops into the gaming space, the presence of the plurality of obstaclesmay deflect the trajectory of the moving object, and the moving objectmay end up passing one of the passages, lands on the ramp, and rolls down to contact the one end of the rod, enabling the player to hit the moving objectagain.

2 FIG. 2 2 21 12 22 21 22 2 22 15 120 15 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary sensor unitaccording to one embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, the sensor unitincludes a framedisposed to surround the cabinet, and a plurality of optical sensorsdisposed on the frame. In some embodiments, the optical sensorsmay be infrared sensors, or other suitable optical sensors. When the sensor unitis activated, the optical sensorsmay continuously detect a current location of the moving objectin the gaming spacein real time, and generates a location signal indicating the current location of the moving object.

3 FIG. 100 3 3 3 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the arcade machineaccording to one embodiment of the disclosure. Specifically, the processormay include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a single core processor, a multi-core processor, a dual-core mobile processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), etc. In this embodiment, the processorincludes a number of modules that may be embodied using microprocessors, firmware, software instructions that can be executed by the processorto implement specific functions, etc.

3 31 32 31 33 31 32 34 33 13 The processorincludes a contact detection module, a calculating moduleconnected to the contact detection module, a triggering moduleconnected to the contact detection moduleand the calculating module, and an operation moduleconnected to the triggering moduleand the display screen.

31 2 15 120 13 31 15 31 15 120 13 15 15 15 31 32 The contact detection moduleis connected to the sensor unitand receives the location signal therefrom. By comparing a two-dimensional (2D) location of the moving objectin the gaming spaceand 2D locations respectively of the virtual objects (F) on the display screen, the contact detection modulemay determine whether the moving objectis in “contact” with any one of the virtual objects (F); that is, the contact detection moduledetermines whether the 2D location of the moving objectin the gaming spacecorresponds with the 2D location of one of the virtual objects (F) on the display screen. It should be noted that the 2D location of the moving objectis derived from the location of the moving objectindicated by the location signal. In the case that it is determined that the moving objectis in “contact” with one of the virtual objects (F), the contact detection modulegenerates a contact signal and transmits the contact signal to the calculating module.

32 15 120 15 32 15 170 15 170 1 FIG. In response to receipt of the contact signal, the calculating modulecalculates an accumulated score of the game. For example, in the embodiment of, the virtual objects (F) are different fishes, and each one of the virtual objects (F) may be associated with a contact score. At the start of a game, the accumulated score may be zero. As the player puts the moving objectin the gaming space, and the moving objectcomes into contact with one of the virtual objects (F), the calculating modulemay add the contact score, which is associated with the one of the virtual objects (F) in contact with the moving object, to the accumulated score. Additionally, each of the collectable objects (B) associated with the respective passagemay be associated with a bonus score, and as the moving objectpasses one of the passagesand “contacts” the respective collectable object (B), the respective collectable object (B) may be deemed as collected, and the bonus score, which is associated with the respective collectable object (B), may be added to the accumulated score.

32 32 1 FIG. In some embodiments, the calculating modulemay record a collection of the collectable objects (B) during the game. In the embodiment of, after a gem with a specific color is collected, the calculating modulemay add an accumulated number associated with the specific color to the accumulated score.

13 As different contact signals are received and the accumulated score increases, one or more preset triggering conditions may be met. In some embodiments, the preset triggering conditions may include reaching a threshold of the accumulated score, collecting a set of gems with a specific combination of colors (e.g., collecting all the colors appearing on the display screen, collecting one specific color three times or the like), collecting a specific kind of fish, etc.

33 34 The triggering moduleis configured to determine whether the one or more preset triggering conditions are met based on the contact signal and the accumulated score, and generates and transmits a triggering signal indicating the preset triggering condition(s) is(are) met to the operation module.

34 13 13 In response to receipt of the triggering signal, the operation moduleis configured to implement a change operation to change the playing screen (M) based on the triggering signal, and to control the display screento display the changed playing screen (M) based on the change operation. In some embodiments, in the case that the triggering signal indicates that a preset triggering condition (e.g., the accumulated score has reached a predetermined threshold) is met, the change operation may include the playing screen (M) being changed to display another scenario (i.e., the player advancing to another level). Alternatively, a reward may be provided for meeting some of the preset triggering conditions (e.g., when all the colors appearing on the display screenare collected, a number of bonus points are rewarded).

4 FIG. 4 FIG. 4 FIG. 100 34 13 13 15 15 is a schematic view illustrating an arcade machineaccording to one embodiment of the disclosure. In the embodiment of, the operation module(not shown in) generates a representing object (O) and controls the display screento display the representing object (O). Specifically, a location of the representing object (O) on the display screenis determined based on the location of the moving objectindicated by the location signal. That is to say, the representing object (O) is controlled to track the movement of the moving objectin real time. The representing object (O) may have an appearance of a marble, a bomb or other objects that are suitable to the game.

5 FIG. 5 FIG. 100 13 34 13 18 18 is a schematic view illustrating an arcade machineaccording to one embodiment of the disclosure. In the embodiment of, the display screenfurther displays a secondary screen (m). In some embodiments, the secondary screen (m) may include a roulette screen. In the case that the triggering signal indicates that a preset triggering condition (e.g., the accumulated score has reached a predetermined threshold) is met, the change operation may include the operation modulecontrolling the display screento display the secondary screen (m), and the player may be enabled to play a roulette game with the roulette screen by operating the operating interface(e.g., pressing one of the buttons to start the roulette game). Standard rules of a roulette game may be applied, e.g., pressing a button to spin a roulette wheel and then pressing the button again to stop the roulette wheel to earn a score. Based on a result of the roulette game, various points or other rewards may be awarded to the player. Generally, in some embodiments, the secondary screen (m) may be related to a side game that enables the player to play by operating the operating interface.

6 FIG. 6 FIG. 6 FIG. 6 FIG. 100 170 12 15 170 15 is a schematic view illustrating an arcade machineaccording to one embodiment of the disclosure. In the embodiment of, the changed playing screen (M) may be related to a mission playing game, and the secondary screen (m) may include a boss to be defeated. Each of the virtual objects (F) and collectable objects (B) may be an objective item having a specific set of characteristics. For example, each of the collectable objects (B) inis a specific weapon that is able to deal a specific amount of damage to the boss, with some of the collectable objects (B) being particularly effective (labeled as “W”). In the embodiment of, only the weapons (W) on the two passagesthat are located at the rightmost side of the gaming spaceare effective against the boss. To defeat the boss, the player may be required to successfully hit the moving objectinto corresponding passagesa number of times. In some examples, the boss may be present for only a predetermined time period, and, if not defeated, will disappear after the predetermined time period has elapsed. In some cases, each of the virtual objects (F) may be a time extender that, when touched by the moving object, extends the predetermined time period.

It is noted that various aspects and adjustments may be employed in different embodiments, and the implementation of the role playing game is not limited to the embodiments as shown above. Besides the roulette game and the aforementioned boss defeating game, the secondary screen (m) may be related to a scratch-off or a slot machine.

In some embodiments, in addition to the above manners, other triggering conditions, objectives and rewards related to touching the virtual objects (F), collecting the collectable objects (B), the playing screen (M) and the secondary screen (m) may be employed. In some embodiments, the triggering conditions, objectives and rewards related to touching the virtual objects (F), collecting the collectable objects (B), the playing screen (M) and the secondary screen (m) as described in the above embodiments may be combined to offer the player additional variety. Other rewards may also include extra moving objects 15, score doubled, rewards doubled, and so on.

15 120 2 15 13 It is noted that in some embodiments, multiple moving objectsmay be simultaneously present in the gaming space, and the sensor unitmay be configured to detect the location of each of the moving objects. In some cases, multiple representing objects (O) may also be generated and displayed on the display screen.

100 2 15 120 100 13 To sum up, embodiments of the disclosure provide the arcade machinethat includes a sensor unitto continuously detect the location of the moving objectthat is put in the gaming space. As such, in addition to the traditional gaming mechanism of the pinball arcade machine, the arcade machinein the disclosure may further integrate more objectives and rewards by using the display screento display the virtual objects (F), the collectable objects (B), the playing screen (M) and the secondary screen (m). This results in a more playable arcade machine.

In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment(s). It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects; such does not mean that every one of these features needs to be practiced with the presence of all the other features. In other words, in any described embodiment, when implementation of one or more features or specific details does not affect implementation of another one or more features or specific details, said one or more features may be singled out and practiced alone without said another one or more features or specific details. It should be further noted that one or more features or specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is(are) considered the exemplary embodiment(s), it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s) but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.