Systems and methods for adjusting game-play time of pinball machines

Abstract

A self-adjusting-difficulty feature for a pinball machine enables operators to set a desired game playtime. The difficulty of play, the chance of a ball draining or staying on the playfield, is adjusted through moving active features such as posts to different positions on the playfield. Thus the machine is made easier to play for a novice and tougher for an experienced player. The score given by playfield features is increased as the level of difficulty is increased. Thus, the novice and experienced player may play for a similar amount of time, the experienced player is more likely to get a higher score. Additionally, some playfield features may only be unlocked when the machine is set for a high level of difficulty.

1 . A self-adjusting-difficulty feature for changing game play for a pinball game having a playfield supporting a rolling ball and a plurality of playfield features thereon, said self-adjusting-difficulty feature comprising:
 a) logic and circuitry for monitoring game play comprising:
 (i) means for monitoring total game time played; 
 (ii) means for monitoring current ball time played; 
 (iii) means for monitoring number of balls not yet played; 
   b) logic and circuitry for evaluating game play comprising:
 (i) means for storing pre-determined standards; 
 (ii) means for comparing current game play to the pre-determined standards; 
 (iii) means for determining if game play should be adjusted for the purpose of making a ball drain more or less likely; 
   c) one or more active playfield features capable of being modified by logic and circuitry for the purpose of making a ball drain more or less likely;   d) logic and circuitry for modifying one or more active playfield features;   e) logic and circuitry for modifying score values of the playfield features if one or more active playfield features are adjusted.   
   
   
       2 . The self-adjusting-difficulty feature of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-determined standards may change depending upon time of day. 
   
   
       3 . The self-adjusting-difficulty feature of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-determined standards may change depending upon length of time between games. 
   
   
       4 . The self-adjusting-difficulty feature of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 logic and circuitry for adjusting a start position of the active feature upon operator input.   
   
   
       5 . The self-adjusting-difficulty feature of  claim 4 , wherein after adjusting a start position of the active features no further adjustments are allowed to the active features. 
   
   
       6 . The self-adjusting-difficulty feature of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 logic and circuitry for recognizing a returning playing and adjusting a start position of the active features based upon the returning player's previous game play.   
   
   
       7 . The self-adjusting-difficulty feature of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 logic and circuitry for unlocking a playfield feature when an active feature is set to a particular state.