JPH0811136B2 - Interactive automatic score recorder - Google Patents

Description

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic bowling scoring device and to a device for projecting such scores on an illuminated screen or video monitor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The sport of bowling is very popular in the United States and many foreign countries. Although scoring a bowling game is relatively easy, many people are unfamiliar with the rules and therefore cannot get the correct scoring for this game, so it can bring out enough fun. Can not. That is, these people cannot compare their scores with those of others because their scores are recorded in an inconsistent manner. In addition, the lack of guidance on scoring will delay the competition and therefore reduce the profits of bowling alley operators.

The lack of information about the rules is a particular issue in many bowling alleys where many teams offer bowling "leagues" where they compete against each other to bowl.
In the case of league bowling, it is especially important to record the scores of each team in a coherent manner so that you can easily compare each score and determine which team did the best Is.

Accordingly, many systems have been developed that can automatically record the progress of bowling scores in real-time during competition. These systems generally consist of a computer which receives input from a conventional automatic pin scorer to determine the number of pins standing after the ball has been rolled. Although these systems work satisfactorily with automatic pin scorers, they are difficult to use by bowlers.

Generally, such systems force the user to interact with the system using a standard computer keyboard, either by a set of printed instructions or by a video display that causes the bowler to press the keys in the correct order. . A variety of sequences can be used to enter the bowler's name or change the score displayed on the score monitor. This method of interaction has proved to be time consuming and error prone for unskilled or novice users. Very often incorrect keys are pressed during a particular sequence, and in that case it is difficult to change the sequence or enter the correct information due to the inability of the system. This results in user dissatisfaction and inconsistent scores.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic scoring system that minimizes the probability of a user making an incorrect or improper selection.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an automatic scoring system that is interactive and guides the user to make the right choice.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an automatic scoring system that does not use a fixed keyboard or requires the user to operate a set of keys.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic scoring system which allows a user to interact with the system by simply touching an input device so that a suitable set of choices are presented on the screen. It is another purpose.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an automatic scoring system that is easy to use even for unfamiliar or novice bowlers.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an automatic scoring system that can be easily connected to a conventional pin scoring device.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an automatic scoring system that can be easily incorporated into existing bowling facilities.

It is a further object to provide an automatic scoring system that can be easily used in foreign countries by simple software changes in letters and symbols without requiring changes in hardware such as keyboards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment of the invention in which the automatic scoring device is controlled by a computer that interacts with the user using a touch screen device, the aforementioned objects are achieved and the aforementioned problems are solved. The touch screen device consists of a video monitor and a mechanism that allows the computer to detect the area of the screen that the user has touched.

In operation, the computer controls the video monitor to present the user with various operational options. The user then selects one of those options by touching the screen. A software program running on the computer then translates the selected area of the screen based on the pin detect input, the previous user choice, and the order of the particular operation being performed at that time.

The calculator can take further actions, including displaying additional options or performing the requested processing. The additional options presented to the user after each choice are suitable for the particular situation. Since only the appropriate information and choices are given, the probability that the user will give an incorrect response is reduced. The error correction routine allows the user to easily change incorrect choices so that he cannot reach the point where he cannot respond properly. User dissatisfaction is reduced, which increases user satisfaction with the sport of bowling.

Detailed Description of the Adopted Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an electrical schematic block diagram of the interactive scoring system. The system is controlled and coordinated by computer 102. The computer 102 uses the touch screen input / output device 130 and the pin detection units 120 and 12
Receives input from 2. Calculator 102 can also display information for bowlers on video monitors 104 and 106 and communicate by a main communication line with a central location such as a main desk or a snack bar.

To save costs, the automatic scoring unit is designed to allow a single control computer 102 to process bowling score information in two adjacent bowling lanes. Each lane has its own video monitor (eg monitors 104 and 106) and a unit for pin detection (unit
Corresponding to 120 and 122). The unit can also have two touch screen input devices to allow the bowler to enter information. However, to reduce cost, the unit can also be designed to operate with a single touchscreen input / output device 130, typically located on a conventional control desk between two lanes.

The control computer 102 displays the bowler's score via the video monitors 104 and 106. Typically, these video monitors will be mounted above the bowler's control console so that scores can be displayed during the competition. Video monitors receive signals from one of two sources. For example, the video monitor 104 is connected from the control computer 102 to the cable 108.
You can receive bowling score information via. However, in addition, the monitor 104 is the primary video audio channel 1
Can receive video signal from 50. More specifically, the computer 102 controls the main switch 112 using the signal transferred by the bus 118 to monitor the buses 1 and 2 by the buses 152 and 116.
04 can be connected to bus 150. This connection allows the monitor to receive video and audio signals from the central source. The video and audio signals can, for example, advertise foods or drinks available in the upcoming competitions or snack areas of bowling alleys.

Similarly, right lane monitor 106 can receive a signal from computer 102 via cable 110 or a main video audio signal on bus 150 via buses 152 and 114 by video audio channel select switch 112. .

Calculator 102 can also receive pin detect signals from pin detect units 120 and 122. These units may be conventional pin detection units which use mechanical sensors or ultrasonic or infrared beams to detect the number of pins that remain standing after each ball is thrown. Alternatively, a passive pin detection unit can be used. A suitable device for passive pin detection is 1986.
It is disclosed in the copending US patent application, Serial No. 823591, entitled "Video Pinfall Detector," filed Jan. 29, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Are incorporated herein by reference.

Pin detection units 120 and 122, in addition to detecting the number of pins that remain standing after the ball is thrown,
It also detects if a foul has been committed and keeps track of the number of balls thrown in each lane.
Computer 102 receives pinfor, foul and ball information from pin detection unit 120 via bus 124 and also from pin detection unit 122 via bus 126.

The bowler interacts with the computer 102 using the touch screen input / output device 130. Device 130 can receive signals from computer 102 via bus 134 and can provide signals to computer 102 via bus 132. The touch screen input / output device 130 is a conventional device that typically consists of a video monitor with a touch-sensitive detection unit mounted on top. The touch sensitive unit may be an infrared detection unit or a transparent touch sensitive array.

A typical infrared detection unit comprises a plurality of infrared sources and infrared detectors arranged along the edge of the video screen. The infrared source produces multiple infrared beams,
This is received by the detector. These beams form a crossing grid pattern on the plane of the video display.
When the user places his or her finger on the screen surface, one or more of the beams are interrupted and the device sends information to the control computer to tell which section of the screen the user has touched.
Alternatively, multiple infrared beams can be generated by a single infrared source and a combination of rotating and stationary mirrors. In this type of system, a single infrared sensor can be used to detect the beam. A dedicated microprocessor is used to process the detected information to determine where the user touches the screen.

A typical touch-sensitive detection unit consists of two transparent plastic sheets, with electrical conductors attached to the surfaces of the two plastic sheets facing each other. This plastic sheet / electrical conductor array is placed on top of the video screen. Pressing the sheet in an area of the screen electrically shorts the two layers and signals the computer to tell which area of the screen was pressed. Alternatively, a non-switching capacitive sensor array can be used that utilizes the change in capacitance caused by the touch of the screen to detect the position of the user's finger.

In the case of any of these detection units, a suitable software routine in control computer 102 translates the screen position into a user selection.

The advantage of the touch screen and video monitor combination is that the control computer 102 can easily change the display of information on the touch screen video screen so that only relevant or relevant information is used at a particular time. Displayed to the user, thus simplifying the user's selection and minimizing the opportunity for the user to make mistakes or enter inadequate information. In particular, the computer can define multiple "key areas" on the touch screen device. These areas act like physical keys because they cause the computer to perform specified actions when pressed. However, since these key areas are merely defined areas on the video screen, the number, position and appearance can be changed quickly and easily to present the user with the appropriate choices. Key areas may include standard indicators or "like symbols" that represent common tasks or options. Therefore, the system can easily be used in foreign countries without replacing the keyboard, simply by reprogramming the key area with the symbols or words suitable for the particular country.

For example, if the user tries to enter his name and touches the appropriate section displayed on a touchscreen video screen that specifies an alphanumeric item, the control computer will use the touchscreen device to display the video screen. Will display the keyboard of Alf Abetto. The user would then be able to enter his name by touching the letter corresponding to the correct spelling. Once the name has been entered, the video display associated with the touchscreen device is restored to standard menu operation and the alphanumeric key area is removed from the touchscreen as it is no longer needed and may confuse the user. Will.

The touch screen hardware and software typically presents the user with options in the area of the screen defined by the line segments drawn by the computer. The user selects or activates the appropriate option by touching the area of the video screen within the appropriate compartment. The data sent by the touch screen input device is translated by the software running on the control computer 102 so that the user touches one of the currently available actions displayed on the screen or It is determined whether the user has selected it. The computer can then execute the appropriate routine required and display another set of options that are appropriate at that point in the control sequence.

In operation, the software routines operating on control computer 102 are arranged in a set of interactive orders. Such an order allows, for example, bowlers to enter their name, change or correct scores, or change the color of the video display so that the display can be used during league bowling. It is something. Each of the software defined interaction sequences has its own unique set of video displays as they appear on the primary video monitor and / or the touch screen video screen.

An example of such an interaction sequence is depicted in FIGS. 2-9, but these figures schematically illustrate a screen display configured by computer 102 on touch screen device 130 and video monitor 104 or 106. It was done. The illustrated sequence allows the user to enter his name and correct or enter points during the actual competition. The actual software routines that cause the computer 102 to perform the disclosed sequence are conventional and will not be described in detail.
The coding for such an order will be familiar to those skilled in the art.

This sequence begins with the screen display shown in FIG. 2, such that it is displayed when a pair of computer controlled bowling lanes is first utilized. This screen display shows two box areas 202
And 204 and will appear on the video screen associated with the touch screen device 130. These areas are used to select the lanes to be exploited. Touching the compartment (box) 202 activates the left lane to cause the computer 102 to display information on the monitor 104 and to use the input from the pin detector 120. Also, section 2
When 04 is touched, the computer 102 receives the input from the right pin detecting unit 122 and displays the information on the monitor 106.

After the bowler selects the lane to be utilized, the control computer 102 displays a typical bowling scoring grid on the video monitor (monitor 104 or 106) of the selected lane. A typical scoring grid is shown in FIG.

In addition, the touch screen video display is erased by computer 102 and the display replaced by a bowler selection screen as shown in FIG. This screen consists of a number of key zones (6 zones by way of example) displaying the bowlers trying to use the selected lane. In addition, a "done" key area 406 is included to allow the user to inform the computer 102 that information has been entered for all of the bowlers.

The information entry routine is initiated when the user touches the video screen in one of the bowler select key areas. For example, the user touches the key area 400 and the bowler 1
Enter the name of. When this behavior is decrypted by computer 102, the touchscreen video screen is erased and replaced by the screen display shown in FIG.

This latter screen display shows an alphabet key arrangement of 26 key areas (of which key areas 502-510 are shown), a back space key area 512, a space key area 514, a clear key area 516 and a completion key. Area
It has 518. In addition, area 500 is named Key Press Buffer. Alf Abe Totky area 502-510
When you touch any of the above, the computer will display the corresponding character in the key press buffer area 500 so that the user can see what was input and correct the error using the backspace key area 512 or the clear key area 516. be able to.

When the correct name is entered, the user will
Touching 8 causes the computer 102 to display the name entered at the correct line number in the score recording grid display shown in FIG. In addition, the alphanumeric display is removed from the touch screen video screen and the bowler input screen shown in FIG. 4 is redisplayed to allow the next bowler to enter his name on the appropriate line. In this way, all bowlers using the selected lane will enter their names, and these names will be displayed on the appropriate lines of the scoring grid shown in FIG. When the last bowler enters his name, the completion area 406 is pressed, which causes the calculator 102 to clear the touchscreen display and display the "main" menu screen shown in FIG.

The "main" menu screen consists of seven key areas designated 600-612. Touching area 600 allows the scoring line associated with the first bowler of the bowling scoring grid on the video monitor to become bright (or otherwise highlighted) to begin bowling.

On the contrary, touching the bowler entry area 602 makes it possible to add, delete, or correct the bowler's name on the score recording grid.

Touching area 604 allows changing the colors used on the primary video monitor to display different league colors.

The key areas 608 and 610 are used to select the lane for which scoring should be done so that the two lanes can use the same computing device.

Two additional areas 606 and 612 are prepared. Upon touching area 606, computer 102 will be on main communication link 142 and bus 1
Through 40 you will be sending a signal to a central computer in the main desk or in the Snack area. Touch the key area 606 again
The touch screen device 130 displays various food or drink options. Choosing these options and sending them directly to the appropriate area via the main communication link 142 ensures quick service and eliminates the need to dispatch personnel to request an order.

The special items area 612 can be used to display additional options. These options can be modified to suit individual bowling alleys and also to increase management income. Options can range from reporting equipment issues directly to the main desk area to playing games other than bowling available to guests or other additional services. For example, preparing a game other than bowling, such as a video game, in the case of a league competition where the customer is waiting for the arrival of everyone in the party or waiting for a single party mate to change shoes. You just need to be able to do that in the meantime.

Assuming the user touched the "start score recording" area 600, the active user's lane in the score recording grid will be brightly displayed on the main monitor display 104, and the touchscreen video display will be erased. And replaced by a new display to display the currently available additional selectability. This new display is represented in FIG.

In FIG. 7, the “start score recording” key area shown in FIG. 6 has been changed to two areas 700 and 702, which are shown as “score correction” and “score removal”. Are the only options that are suitable after bowling has begun. "Score correction" area 70
0 is used to correct or adjust the score as appropriate during the bowling sequence. Similarly, the "score removal" area 702 is used to remove the scores of bowlers who have finished bowling. The remaining areas are bowler entry area 704, color change area 706, food or drink area 708, special item area
714, right lane usage area 710 and left lane usage area 712 are as previously described.

For example, suppose bowler number 2 wants to correct his score in the second half of the second frame. In this case, the bowler touches the "scoring" key area 700.
This action clears the touch screen display shown in FIG. 7 and redisplays the bowler selection screen shown in FIG. 4 on the touch screen video screen. The bowler 2 then touches the key area 402 to display the score recording line of that bowler on the score recording grid displayed on the video monitor 104 on the touch screen display as shown in FIG. Become.

To correct the score, the bowler then touches the second frame area 802. This action illuminates this area and is also shown as area 806 and is displayed below frame 802. Touching the second ball frame half 808 brightens this half and replaces it with the array of numeric keys shown in FIG. The bowler would then use this keypad to enter the appropriate score. In addition to the numeric items, the foul key 902 and spare key 904 can be selected, if appropriate, to record the scores for these options. The "strike" key area is not found because the bowler has chosen to correct the second ball score and a strike is not possible. Alternatively, the strike key area would have been included if the first ball correction had been selected.

After the proper selection is made, the bowler presses the "done" key area 910 to record all corrections and update the video display with corrections. Alternatively, if the "Abandon" key area 912 is selected, the computer 102 erases the screen and redisplays the unmodified main menu screen as shown in FIG. Therefore, a complete and accurate set of choices is presented to the bowler to minimize the number of erroneous choices or items.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional schematic configuration diagram showing connection of main system components to a pair of lanes. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first touch screen display for selecting lanes to be utilized. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the display presented by the computer of the main system monitor. FIG. 4 is a secondary touch screen display for selecting bowlers. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an edit touch screen display including an alphabet key set for entering a bowler name. FIG. 6 is a diagram of the touch screen display of the main menu. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the touch screen display of the secondary menu displayed during actual bowling. FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a secondary touch screen display that enables score editing. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a secondary touch screen display for editing. In FIG. 1, 102 is a computer, 104 and 106 are video monitors,
112 is a main switch, 120 and 122 are pin detection units, 130
Is a touch screen input / output device, 150 is a main video / audio channel, and 142 is a main communication link.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An interactive guided bowling scoring system which may be used with a bowling device having a pin scoring device which produces a pin signal indicating the number of pins each ball remains standing after being rolled. A calculator for generating a signal defining score recording information and a key area, a device for transferring the pin signal to the calculator, and a selection screen area in response to the key area signal. A touch screen device comprising a video monitor screen that can be defined, and a device that can generate a touch signal indicating the area of the touched screen in response to a user touching the video monitor screen, And in response to the touch signal, it can be sent to the calculator, which causes the calculator to send the pin signal,
An interactive bowling scoring system comprising: a device for generating a key zone signal in response to the scoring signal and the touch signal. 2. The interactive bowling scoring system of claim 1, further comprising a video display for displaying the scoring information. 3. The bowling device further comprises a central source of audio and video signals, and the scoring system for connecting the video display device to the central source of audio and video signals. Claim 2 is provided.
The interactive bowling scoring system described in. 4. The pin scoring device generates a scoring signal indicative of the number of balls thrown and fouls committed, and the calculator is responsive to the scoring signal to transmit the video to the video recording device. The interactive bowling scoring system of claim 2, which can be displayed on a display device. 5. The interactive bowling scoring system of claim 1, wherein the computer is responsive to the touch signal to determine the action requested by the user. 6. The bowling device further comprises a central computer and the scoring system further comprises a device for transferring information between the central computer and the computer. Item 6. An interactive bowling scoring system according to item 5. 7. The interactive bowling scoring system of claim 6, wherein the bowling device further comprises a device for presenting games other than bowling to a guest on the touch screen video monitor. 8. An interactive system which may be used with a bowling device having at least two lanes and a pin scoring device which produces a pin signal indicative of the number of pins remaining after each ball has been rolled. A bowling scoring system comprising: a computer for generating scoring information and a signal defining a key area; a device for transferring the pin signal to the computer; and a lane associated with each of the lanes. A video display device capable of displaying said score recording information for a ball thrown on said lane, a touch screen device arranged between said lanes, responsive to said key area signal. A video monitor screen that can define a selection screen area by a user, and a user touching the video monitor screen. Said touch screen device comprising a device capable of generating a touch signal indicative of the area of the screen touched in response, and a device capable of sending it to said computer in response to said touch signal. This allows the computer to determine the action requested by the user in response to the touch signal, so that the computer can record the pin signal, the score recording. An interactive bowling scoring system comprising: a device for enabling a key zone signal to be generated in response to information and the touch signal. 9. The bowling device further comprises a central source for audio and video signals, and the scoring system for connecting the video display device to the central source for audio and video signals. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein
The interactive bowling scoring system described in. 10. The pin scoring device generates a scoring signal indicative of the number of balls thrown and fouls committed, and the calculator is responsive to the scoring signal to render the video. Can be displayed on the display device,
The interactive bowling scoring system of claim 9. 11. The bowling device further comprises a central computer and the scoring system further comprises a device for transferring information between the central computer and the computer. Item 10. An interactive bowling scoring system according to item 10. 12. The interactive bowling scoring system of claim 11, wherein the bowling device further comprises a device for presenting games other than bowling to a guest on the touch screen video monitor.