JPH0636833B2 - Automatic bowling scorer - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an automatic bowling score device for automatically processing a bowling score.

(b) Conventional Technique A conventional general bowling score device is operated by electrically connecting it to a pinsetter machine which is already installed or newly installed. The pin setter machine has different signal forms and coupling methods depending on each model of the machine maker, and an automatic bowling score device corresponding to each model is installed.

Such an automatic bowling score device detects the number of frames of a game and the number of shots by receiving a signal indicating the first and second shots of a pitched ball or a signal from a reset button from an automatic pinsetter machine. There is. In particular, in the final tenth frame, the third pitch is also identified and the score is calculated.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in such a conventional automatic bowling score device, since it operates by electrically connecting to the control circuit of the automatic pin setter machine, each model A complicated interface circuit must be prepared for each. In addition, when a failure occurs in the device, whether it is a failure on the pin setter machine side or a failure on the score device side,
When investigating the cause, either one must be confirmed before the cause of failure can be determined.

An object of the present invention is to automatically calculate a bowling score by automatically resetting the pin remaining after the third throw of the final frame by directly operating the reset button of the machine without directly connecting the signal from the automatic pin setter machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic bowling scoring device which does not affect the score even if the ball is thrown even if the ball is eliminated.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The automatic bowling score device of the present invention includes a photoelectric switch that detects the passage of a pitched ball and the operation of a rake, a video camera that captures the pin arrangement position, and Pin state detecting means for detecting the upright / falling state of the pin from the output signal of the camera, and residual pin detecting means for detecting the residual pin from the detection result of the pin state detecting means after detecting the pitch by the output of the photoelectric switch. A final frame definite state determination means for determining the final state of the final frame from the detection result of the output of the photoelectric switch and the detection result of the residual pin detection means, and the detection of the pitch by the output of the photoelectric switch and the residual pin Third post-throw pin residual detection means for detecting the pin residual state after the third throw of the final frame from the detection result of the detection means The last frame determined state determining means determines that the determined state of the last frame, and when the third projecting post pin remaining detection means does not detect the residual pins after the third throw,
Score processing for scoring the final frame, and for scoring the final frame after actuation of the photoelectric switch when the third post-throw pin residual detection means detects the pin residual state after the third throw of the final frame. And means.

(e) Action In the automatic bowling score device of the present invention, the photoelectric switch detects the passage of a thrown ball and the operation of the rake, the video camera images the pin arrangement position, and the pin state detection means detects the video camera. The upright / falling state of the pin is detected from the signal, and the residual pin detecting means detects the residual pin from the pin state detection result after detecting the pitch by the output of the photoelectric switch. Therefore, the ball throwing and rake operation and the residual pin after the pitching are detected without directly electrically connecting to the automatic pin setter machine.

The final frame finalized state determination means determines the final frame finalized state from the detection results of the pitch detection and the residual pin detection means based on the output of the photoelectric switch. The third post-throw pin residual detection means detects the pitch of the ball by the output of the photoelectric switch and the pin residual state after the third pitch of the final frame from the detection result of the residual pin detection means. The score processing means determines that the final frame finalized state determination means is in the final state of the final frame, and the third post-throw pin residual detection means does not detect the residual pin after the third throw, the final frame. When the third post-throw pin residual detection means detects the pin residual state after the third throw of the final frame, the score processing of the final frame is performed after the operation of the photoelectric switch. Therefore, when the final frame is settled and there is no residual pin after three throws, the score processing of the final frame is automatically performed, and when the pin remains after the third throw in the final frame, When the ball is thrown or when the rake is operated by operating the reset button of the automatic pin setter machine, the photoelectric switch is operated, and the score processing of the final frame is performed at that time.

(f) Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the system configuration of an automatic bowling score device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 in the figure
1 is a console operated by a bowler, 1 is a video camera that captures the pin arrangement position, 7 is a video camera that captures the bowler's pitching form, and 8 is a score display C
It is RT. The console 11 is connected to the various output devices, and is provided with a small CRT that displays the same content as that displayed on the console 8 and a keyboard operated by the bowler. Also, in the figure, 20 and 21 are the first and second
Host computer of the host computer 20
Is provided at the front desk, and data is transferred to the console 11 of a predetermined lane by inputting the name of the bowler who has performed the reception procedure. In addition, the host computer 20 is provided with a score printer,
Print the score after the competition. Host computer 2
A reference numeral 1 is connected to a host computer 20 and manages various information regarding the operation of the entire bowling center.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration in the vicinity of the pin arrangement position of the bowling pin up / down position detecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, P1, P2, P4, and P7 are bowling pins arranged respectively, and show a state viewed from the left side with respect to the lane. Therefore, pins P2, P4,
Other pins are arranged behind P7. 4 in the figure
Is a rake and 5 is a pin deck that eliminates fallen pins and rearranges remaining pins. Reference numeral 2 denotes a light that illuminates the pins from below the pin deck 5 obliquely above the pin array position, that is, from above the bowler as viewed from the bowler, and 1 is a video camera that captures the images of the pins from the same direction. Further, 3 is a photoelectric switch provided at a position where the ball B and the rake 4 block the optical path.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main part of a control unit of the automatic bowling score device according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the plurality of consoles 11a, 11b, 11c, etc. are connected to the host computer 20 as a LAN (local area network). Each console is composed of a microcomputer, and is provided with a ROM for storing a control program in advance, a RAM used as a working area for various flags and counters, a memory for storing display data, an input / output port, and the like. The following devices and devices are connected to these consoles.

Small CRT 9 and keyboard 10 on the console panel
Is provided. Reference numeral 12 is a keyboard controller. The image processing device 13 performs image processing on the output signal of the video camera 1 to detect the presence or absence of pins standing upright in the pin arrangement position, and the console inputs the information at a necessary time. The video printer 14 outputs the video signal of the video camera 7 to the large CRT 8 via the video switch 15 based on the instruction signal from the console to display a bowler's pitching form or the like. The video printer 14 also temporarily stores a still image captured by the video camera 7 based on an instruction from the console, displays the still image on the CRT 8, and prints it out. 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes a switch for switching between the output signal of the video printer and the output signal of the console, which normally supplies score information and the like from the console to the CRT. Reference numerals 3 and 6 denote photoelectric switches, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the photoelectric switch 3 detects ball throwing and rake operations. The photoelectric switch 6 is provided in the foul line, and the console detects the foul by the signal. Although FIG. 3 shows only the equipment and devices used for one lane for one console, one console actually manages two lanes and the equipment and devices connected to this are Two sets are provided.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the keyboard 10 shown in FIG. In the figure, the alphabetic and symbol keys attached to the numeric keypad are score correction keys. Also, the four arrow keys are C
This is a cursor movement key displayed on the RT. F1-F
Reference numeral 4 denotes a function key, which operates as a function key having the contents displayed in the lower column of the CRT.

9 to 13 are display examples of the CRT. At the start of the game, the bowler name transferred from the front host computer is displayed in Chinese characters as shown in FIG. 9 and the bowler name to be thrown is designated. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, after the pitch, the position of the remaining pin is displayed in the center of the score display. The example of the figure shows the state after the second throw of the first frame of the third bowler (Yamada).
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when there is no residual pin, a mark corresponding to the state is displayed graphically. Further, FIG. 12 is a display example in the central portion of the screen, which is a display example when a message necessary for the competition is transferred from the host computer to a predetermined lane. FIG. 13 shows a display example at the bottom of the screen when using the video printer. This display is performed, for example, by operating the camera switch (function key F3) during the display of FIG. 9, and the image of the video camera 7 is displayed as a still image by operating the freeze key (F1). . The image is printed out by operating the print key (F3). 5 to 7 show each console 1
2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the host computer 1 and the host computer 20. The description will be sequentially given below.

FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure of the host computer 20. When the lane number and the bowler name are input, the bowler name is transferred to the designated lane. When a lane number and a predetermined message are input, the message is transferred to the designated lane.

FIG. 6 is a processing procedure of the console for displaying the residual pin information and the like in the center portion of the score display as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. First, the specific area of the display memory for displaying the score is saved. Next, the data representing the state of the remaining pins and the mark display data such as spare and strike are written in the display memory. This makes the tenth
As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 11, the remaining pin information and the like are superposed on the score display. This display is done for a certain time,
When it is time to restore the display, the display memory in the specific area that was saved is restored and the original score is displayed. By displaying the residual pin information on the large-sized CRT in this way, the problem of the erroneous display due to the disconnection of the lamp and the difficulty of viewing due to the long-distance display can be solved.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show the procedure of score control performed by the console. First, as shown in FIG. 9A, the frame counter FC and the pitching counter SC are initialized and the ball is waited for (n1 to n3). The presence or absence of a pitch is detected by the signal of the photoelectric switch 3, and if the pitch is achieved, the number of pins remaining by the processing by the video camera 1 and the image processing device 13 is counted (n4). If SC = 1, that is, if there is no residual pin in the first throw, strike processing is performed (n5 to n7). If there are remaining pins, score processing is performed based on the number of pins that have fallen, the pitch counter SC is incremented, and if the score of the previous frame is confirmed by this pitch, the score of that frame is calculated (n8 → n9 → n15).

If SC = 2, that is, if there is no residual pin in the second throw, spare processing is performed (n10 → n11), and if there is a residual pin, score processing based on the number of collapsed pins is performed (n12). After that, the pitch counter SC is set to 1 and the frame counter FC
Is incremented, and if the score of the previous frame is confirmed by this pitch, the score of the frame is calculated (n13 → n14 → n15).

After calculating the score of the confirmed frame, it is determined whether 10 frames have been confirmed (n16). In this example, 10
Frames are treated as 10 to 12 frames as internal processing. FIG. 8 shows an example of scores of 10 frames. Here, for example, 10F1 shows the first shot of the pseudo 10 frames, and 11F2 shows the second shot of the pseudo 11 frames. Step n16 in FIG. 7 (B) corresponds to (A) in FIG.
It is determined whether any one of the states (G) to (G) has occurred. In this way, when there is no residual pin after the first shot or when there is no residual pin after the second shot, the processing is continued up to a total of three shots counting from the first shot of 10 frames.

In FIGS. 8 (B) and 8 (F), the pseudo 11 frames or the pseudo 12 frames are incomplete, and then the pinsetter machine is in a pitching wait state. This is the actual 1
After 0 frame is confirmed, it can be known from the value of the pitch counter SC.

That is, unless SC = 1 at n17 in FIG. 7 (B), the pinsetter machine is in a waiting state for a pitching, and waits until a pitching is performed or there is a rake process (n17 → n).
18, n19). Then, the score of the confirmed 10th frame is calculated.

As described above, the frames are counted and the pitches are counted by the photoelectric switch, the video camera, and the residual pin presence / absence determining means without electrically connecting to the automatic pinsetter machine, and after the third throw of the final frame. The remaining pin is detected. Further, when the pin remains in the third throw, the operation of the pitch or the reset button is detected based on the operation of the photoelectric switch, thereby completing the score processing of the final frame.

(g) Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect the pin remaining after the third throw of the final frame without electrically connecting to the automatic pinsetter machine. Thus, when the pin remains on the third throw, the scoring process for the final frame can be completed by throwing a ball or operating the reset button of the machine. This will not affect the subsequent score. In addition, the inconvenience caused by the addition of the circuit associated with the electrical connection to the automatic pin setter machine is eliminated, and it becomes easier to deal with a failure.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an automatic bowling score device which is an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration near a pin array part of the device, and FIG. 3 is a block of a control part of the device. 4 and 5 are plan views of the keyboard of the console used in the apparatus. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the host computer, and FIGS. 6 and 7 (A) and (B) are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the console. FIG. 8 shows an example of the score result of the final frame. 9 to 11 are display examples of the CRT, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are display examples of a part of the display screen. 1 ... Video camera, 3 ... Photoelectric switch.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-61-98272 (JP, A) JP-A-62-261381 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A photoelectric switch for detecting passage of a thrown ball and actuation of a rake, a video camera for picking up an arrangement position of pins, and a pin for detecting an upright / falling state of the pins from an output signal of the video camera. State detection means, residual pin detection means for detecting a residual pin from the detection result of the pin state detection means after detecting a pitch by the output of the photoelectric switch, and detection of a pitch by the output of the photoelectric switch and the residual pin The final frame finalized state determination means for determining the finalized state of the final frame from the detection result of the detection means, the detection of the pitch by the output of the photoelectric switch, and the detection result of the residual pin detection means for the pin after the third throw of the final frame. The third post-pin residual detection means for detecting the residual state and the final frame finalized state determination means finalize the final frame. When the third post-throw pin residual detection means does not detect the residual pin after the third throw, the score processing of the final frame is performed, and the third post-throw pin residual detection means An automatic bowling scoring device comprising: score processing means for performing score processing of the final frame after actuation of the photoelectric switch when a pin residual state after the third throw of the final frame is detected.