Miniature Optical Interruption Sensor Assembly
AssigneeTurner Logic, LLC
InventorsChristopher Turner, Gabriel Hernandez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates generally to the field of amusement devices. More specifically, the invention relates to utilization of sensors to detect movement and presence of a pinball on the playfield. The miniature optical interruption sensor assembly comprises a transmitter PCB having an optical emission module, a receiver PCB having an optical detection module, and a bracket aligning both. A continuous light signal is sent from the emission module to the detection module creating a circuit. When a pinball blocks the light signal, preventing the detection module from receiving the light signal, the present invention registers the event as a pinball detection.
Claims17
A miniaturized proximity sensor for use on a pinball game/amusement devices comprising:
- a transmitter placed in electrical communication with a transmitter printed computer board;
- the transmitter disposed onto the transmitter printed computer board;
- a receiver placed in electrical communication with a receiver printed computer board;
- the receiver disposed onto the receiver printed computer board;
- the disposed transmitter mounted to a playfield;
- and
- the disposed receiver mounted to the playfield.
A miniaturized optical interruption sensor comprising:
- an optoelectrical transmitter placed in communication with a transmitter printed computer board;
- an optoelectrical receiver placed in communication with a receiver printed computer board;
- the disposed optoelectrical transmitter supported by a support member;
- the disposed optoelectrical receiver supported by the support member;
- a protective transmitter housing disposed upon the disposed optoelectrical transmitter;
- and
- a protective receiver housing disposed upon the disposed optoelectrical receiver.
A miniaturized optical interruption sensor comprising:
- an optoelectrical transmitter placed in electrical communication with a transmitter printed computer board;
- The optoelectrical transmitter disposed onto the transmitter printed computer board;
- an optoelectrical receiver placed in electrical communication with a receiver printed computer board;
- the optoelectrical receiver disposed onto the receiver printed computer board;
- the disposed optoelectrical transmitter supported by a support member;
- and
- the disposed optoelectrical receiver supported by the support member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.