William C Pfutzenreuter

US Patent:

6550774, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

Mar 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/104077

Inventors:

Michael Stroll - Libertyville IL
Python Anghelo - Palatine IL
Bryan Hansen - Fox River Grove IL
William Pfutzenreuter - Hoffman Estates IL

Assignee:

Pixy Games, Inc. - Libertyville IL

International Classification:

A63F 900

US Classification:

273447

Abstract:

A dispensing fishing game system includes a prize capsule storage bin in the form of a three dimensional play field at the bottom of a cabinet. A drive mechanism controls a fishing rod with lifelike operation. An external fishing rod hand and spool mechanism are activated by a player to manipulate the inside fishing rod mechanism to move side to side, or back and forth, a fishing hook in order for a player to move the hook and snag one of the prizes. Once hooked, the prize is lifted and released over a prize chute which then falls down and rolls into a prize opening for the player to collect.

US Patent:

6695698, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Jul 26, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/626238

Inventors:

Python Anghelo - Arlington Heights IL
Bryan Hansen - Fox River Grove IL
William Pfutzenreuter - Hoffman Estates IL

Assignee:

Pixy Games, Inc. - Oceanside CA

International Classification:

A63F 1300

US Classification:

463 25, 463 1, 463 16, 463 3, 463 7, 273362, 273364, 273317, 273366, 273368, 2731381, 273139, 273143 R, 2731382, 273440, 273441, 273445, 273454, 273447, 273448, 221217, 221218, 221220, 221221, 221222, 221223, 221163, 221166

Abstract:

A dispensing game system includes a prize capsule storage hopper above two automatic hopper loaders that replenish the game below with prize capsules as needed. Two Ferris wheels carry free swinging gondolas that receive and hold the prize capsules from the loaders. Two or more player-activated actuator arms located next to the outer edge of the Ferris wheels are used to hit targets attached to the moving gondolas, in turn causing the gondolas to tip forward and release the prize capsule, which then falls down and rolls into the prize opening for the player to collect.

US Patent:

57722064, Jun 30, 1998

Filed:

Sep 11, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/712448

Inventors:

William C. Pfutzenreuter - Arlington Heights IL

Assignee:

Capcom Coin-Op Inc. - Arlington Heights IL

International Classification:

A63F 722

US Classification:

273129S

Abstract:

An amusement game having a solenoid operated rotating play feature. The solenoid comprises a bobbin having a bore around which is disposed electrical windings for use in creating an electromagnetic force and a plunger disposed within the bore. The plunger is linked to the rotating play feature and is movable in response to the electromagnetic force. The bore and the plunger are sized and arranged to allow the plunger to move laterally within the bore to accomodate the rotational movement of the play feature as the plunger moves in response to the electromagnetic force. An unhanded bracket is supplied to mount the play feature to the playing surface of the amusement game which is adaptable to carry a variety of end-of-stroke sensing switches.

US Patent:

56557701, Aug 12, 1997

Filed:

Sep 15, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/528742

Inventors:

Mark Dean Ritchie - Carol Steam IL
William Clark Pfutzenreuter - Arlington Heights IL

Assignee:

Capcom Coin-Op, Inc. - Arlington Heights IL

International Classification:

A63F 702
A63F 726

US Classification:

273129V

Abstract:

A pinball machine is provided and includes one or more solenoids for activating one or more play feature mechanisms and a microprocessor for controlling game play activities. The microprocessor has associated therewith a clock for providing timed signals thereto, a memory device having stored therein a plurality of power setting patterns, and a driver. Each of the power setting patterns generally comprises a series of states (ON and OFF) over a predetermined number of counts of the timed signal. One of these patterns is used for each solenoid desired to be controlled. The driver is responsive to the microprocessor for controlling the flow of current to the desired solenoid wherein the driver utilizes the selected pattern to supply pulse width modulated current to the solenoid as a function of the states in the pattern. Preferably, the pattern selected can be changed as desired.

US Patent:

56579870, Aug 19, 1997

Filed:

Sep 15, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/528743

Inventors:

William Clark Pfutzenreuter - Arlington Heights IL

Assignee:

Capcom Coin-Op, Inc. - Arlington Heights IL

International Classification:

A63F 230

US Classification:

273119A

Abstract:

A pinball machine is provided and generally includes a power supply for supplying unfiltered, unregulated DC voltage, a solenoid for activating a play feature device such as a flipper, a microprocessor for controlling game play activities, a clock associated with the microprocessor for supplying a first interrupt signal thereto, a memory device associated with the microprocessor having stored therein a plurality of duty cycle settings, each of the duty cycle settings comprising a predetermined pattern of ON and OFF states, a voltage detection circuit linked to the microprocessor and connected to the power supply for providing to the microprocessor a voltage value indicative of the level of the DC voltage, wherein the microprocessor utilizes the voltage value to select one of the plurality of duty cycle settings, and a driver, responsive to the microprocessor, connecting the power supply to the solenoid for controlling the flow of current thereto based upon a corresponding one of the states of the predetermined pattern of the select one of the plurality of duty cycle settings as determined by the first interrupt signal. Preferably, a zero-voltage detect circuit is also provided and used to detect when the DC voltage level approaches zero for signalling the microprocessor to reset or synchronize the clock.

US Patent:

62600842, Jul 10, 2001

Filed:

May 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/080484

Inventors:

James Y. Wilson - Crystal Lake IL
Edward B. Endejan - Gurnee IL
Khalil C. Haddad - Mount Prospect IL
William C. Pfutzenreuter - Hoffman Estates IL
Thuraia Albazzaz - Riverside IL

Assignee:

3Com Corporation - Rolling Meadows IL

International Classification:

G06F 948
G06F 1300

US Classification:

710 38

Abstract:

A modem and associated method with both an RS-232 interface and a USB interface connects to a host. The modem detects which of the two interfaces is connected to the host and determines an appropriate data path. For connections to the USB interface, data is routed through a USB processor and over a serial link to the modem processor responsible for modem communications and the transfer of modem data to the POTS. The serial link between the USB processor and the modem processor is used to transfer both modem data and processor communications. A plurality of control lines are used to indicate the type of data being transferred over the serial link. For RS-232 connections, the modem data is transferred to the modem processor. Thus, one modem device may be used for either USB or RS-232 connections.

US Patent:

57722056, Jun 30, 1998

Filed:

Oct 27, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/549060

Inventors:

Mark J. Coldebella - Palatine IL
William Pfutzenreuter - Arlington Heights IL
Greg Topel - Palantine IL

International Classification:

A63F 924

US Classification:

273121A

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).