AU2020100235A4

AU2020100235A4 - A lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement

Info

Publication number: AU2020100235A4
Application number: AU2020100235A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Leslie
Original assignee: Leslie Carmel
Current assignee: Leslie Carmel
Priority date: 2014-03-24
Filing date: 2020-02-18
Publication date: 2020-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-19
Also published as: GB2539837B; AU2015234682A1; WO2015143475A1; NZ725422A; GB201616231D0; GB2539837A

Abstract

Abstract A lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement including a camera that follows from above the kitty in a game of lawn bowls. The camera arrangement works in communication with a distance meter arrangement adapted to interpret images from said camera arrangement for measuring a distance between a delivered bowl with said kitty with functionality to recognise a bowl or bowls from competing players. A display arrangement and the distance meter arrangement are enabled to translate the distance of the nearest bowl or bowls to the kitty of a player, team or group compared to the bowl or bowls of a competing player, team or group to the kitty as information displayable as a score upon a visual display unit.

Description

A LAWN BOWLS SCORING AND GAME MONITORING ARRANGEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [001] This invention relates to improvements in the game or sport of lawn bowls and more particularly to an improved lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement which is provided to make the game of lawn bowls more playable, upto-date and with more accurate outcomes in scoring and game monitoring than is presently available.

BACKGROUND ART DISCUSSION [002] Lawn bowls is a fairly well recognised game or sport played upon grass or synthetic surfaces between players, various pairings or groups of opposing teams wherein the object of the game is to deliver a bowl as close as possible to the kitty or jack, as points or “shots” are awarded for each bowl or bowls to which a competitor has closer than the opponent’s nearest to the kitty.

[003] For example, if one player has three bowls closer to the kitty than their competitor’s nearest bowl to the kitty, this player would be awarded three shots, and so forth.

[004] Once players have delivered their quota of bowls and “shots” have been awarded, generally the game is then repeated but this time from the opposite end of the bowling green, with more conventional scoring systems requiring a player in a single’s game to become a winner by completing as many ends as required until points or shots awarded to players reach a specified target, which is generally recognised as 21 or 25.

[005] Or Alternatively, in team competitions where there could be two, three or even four players in each team, the ultimate winning team of the game would be decided upon after the completion of a set number of ends being played.

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 [006] As is to be expected, with so many bowls to be delivered by each competitor, with shots awarded and ends to be completed, scoring can be quite a challenge.

[007] Still further, taking measurements between delivered bowls and the kitty can be painstakingly cumbersome and inaccurate using conventional measuring techniques.

[008] Still even further, while the physical action of delivering the bowl per se may not be necessarily all that physically demanding, there is a significant amount of calculated aptitude required particularly after several bowls have been delivered, in that the arrangement of individual player or team bowls as opposed to opposition bowls all about the kitty means there is more at play than just simply trying to deliver a bowl to get it as close as possible to the kitty.

[009] While other team members and so forth may be able to call out various instructions and advise the general state of play about the kitty, it would be far more advantageous for a player and individual team members to be able to monitor the situation of delivered bowls about the kitty rather than having that kind of information translated at a distance more or less second hand.

[010] The game of lawn balls also becomes potentially drawn out longer than it may need to be, as players have to go down to the kitty target end to observe the bowls around the kitty.

[011] Accordingly, there remains a deficiency in the game or sport of lawn bowls to appropriately score the competing players or teams such that the information can remain accurate, up-to-date and visible to all concerned, not only just at the completion of a particular end, but throughout individual games or ends while each competitor is delivering their respective bowls one after the other.

[012] It would also be particularly advantageous to have an arrangement that can not only assist in the scoring process but provide an improved ability for individual players and teams to be able to have means of visually being able to monitor the game, particularly the status of bowls around the kitty without having to use the

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 second hand instructions of a team skipper and so forth at the other end of the green, or waste valuable game time having to walk down to the target end to have a look themselves.

[013] Therefore it is an object of this invention to provide a unique modern lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement that is able to overcome or at least substantially ameliorate some of the deficiencies and/or shortcomings of conventional scoring systems used in lawn bowls as well as the way in which the game is currently monitored while being played.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [014] In one form of the invention there is provided a lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement, said arrangement including:

[015] a camera arrangement adapted to follow from above a kitty in a game of lawn bowls;

[016] said camera arrangement including a distance meter arrangement adapted to interpret images from said camera arrangement for measuring a distance between a delivered bowl with said kitty;

[017] said distance meter arrangement including functionality to recognise a bowl or bowls from competing players, teams or groups such that after each bowl is delivered in the game of lawn bowls said distance meter is enabled to determine a distance of a nearest bowl or bowls to said kitty of a player, team or group compared to a bowl or bowls of a competing player, team or group to said kitty;

[018] a display arrangement working in electrical and/or electronic communication with said distance meter arrangement, wherein the display arrangement and the distance meter arrangement are enabled to translate the distance of the nearest bowl or bowls to said kitty of the player, team or group compared to the bowl or bowls of the competing player, team or group to said kitty as information displayable as a score upon a visual display unit.

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 [019] Advantageously as the camera arrangement is adapted to follow the kitty in the game of lawn bowls and with its inherent capabilities of the distance meter arrangement to be able to measure distances between the respective bowls being delivered by the competitors allows for an ability to no longer rely upon the conventional scoring system of using pencil on a score card but upon independent accurate information where real time images are being manipulated so as to provide correct distance measurements between bowls being delivered and their distances to the jack so that in real time “shots” can be awarded for each bowl which a competitor has delivered closer to the kitty than the opponent’s bowl or bowls.

[020] Hence rather than having to wait until all competitors have delivered their bowls for a particular end, in this unique scoring arrangement, awarding of shots can be made available in real time in that as the camera arrangement has been positioned over the kitty it can continuously measure the relative distances between delivered bowls and that of the kitty for ongoing updated information.

[021] In preference the display arrangement is in electrical and/or electronic communication with said camera arrangement such that the camera arrangement is adapted to capture imagery about said kitty, wherein the captured imagery about said kitty is viewable on the visual display unit so that players, teams and/or groups are able to view the location of a delivered bowl or bowls about the kitty from an end to which a bowl is to be delivered.

[022] Advantageously, the camera arrangement not only serves as a unique means to be able to provide a modernised accurate and real-time scoring system but also in addition the ability to make the game of lawn bowls more user friendly and playable wherein a competitor can now comfortably inform him or herself as to the state of play about the kitty rather than having to rely upon verbal instructions from others closer to the kitty per se, or waste timing travelling up and down the green to review the bowls around the kitty.

[023] In preference the distance meter arrangement is further adapted to interpret images from said camera arrangement and/or an independent camera arrangement so as to establish a distance measurement from an end to which a player will deliver

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 a bowl to the kitty, wherein said distance measurement from the end to which the player will deliver the bowl to the kitty is displayable on the visual display unit.

[024] Advantageously, the arrangement will further include inherent functionality so as to provide additional information to the players of the lawn bowl game, notably an understanding of the distance between the bowler delivering the bowl and the actual kitty which will be at the other end of the green servicing as the requisite target.

[025] In preference the camera arrangement, distance meter arrangement and the display arrangement electrical and/or electronic communication includes radio control and/or Wi-Fi control for transmitting information between the respective camera arrangement, distance meter arrangement and the display arrangement.

[026] In preference in one embodiment the functionality of the distance meter arrangement to recognise competing players, teams or groups is from inputted information by a user into a computer in electrical and/or electronic communication with the distance meter arrangement of the first player, team or group and then the competing player, team or group.

[027] In preference in an alternative embodiment the functionality of the distance meter arrangement to recognise competing players, teams or groups is from Visual Object Tracking wherein automatic image acquisition of objects based on size and/or colour determines competing players, teams and/or groups bowls.

[028] In preference the distance meter arrangement includes remote distance measuring wherein high resolution measurement of small distances between the bowl and the kitty can be measured.

[029] In preference the visual display unit is in electrical and/or electronic communication with a computer so as to display information including next bowler and ends played.

[030] In preference the camera arrangement includes a sensor or sensors so that climatic conditions are measurable, including wind, temperature, precipitation and/or

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 humidity wherein the measurable climatic conditions are displayable upon the visual display unit.

[031] In preference the visual display unit and the computer forms part of an upstanding console.

[032] In preference in one embodiment ofthe invention there is a separate display screen adapted to display information displayable upon the visual display unit.

[033] In preference the upstanding console provides user input means so that information including players, teams or group information can be inputted into the computer so that such information is then displayable upon the visual display unit.

[034] In preference the inputted information is usable by the distance meter arrangement to recognise competing players, teams or groups and wherein the visual display unit is adapted to highlight the name of the next player, team or group to bowl.

[035] In preference the camera arrangement is adapted to follow the kitty upon a cable arrangement.

[036] In preference the camera arrangement is adapted to follow the kitty upon a cable arrangement by radio control including Wi-Fi and/or by visual object tracking wherein automatic image acquisition of the kitty on size and/or colour can be programmed into the camera arrangement and internal control allows for the camera arrangement to then follow the kitty accordingly.

[037] In preference the cable arrangement includes a laterally supported cable at each end of a bowling green and one longitudinal cable along the length ofthe bowling green.

[038] In preference the longitudinal cable is joined and supported at opposing distal ends of said longitudinal cable to each laterally supported cable respectively by a radio controlled node.

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 [039] In preference the camera arrangement is radio controlled to move longitudinally up and down the longitudinal cable to follow from above the kitty.

[040] In preference the camera arrangement includes an Industrial Vision Camera (IVC) that automatically identifies and tracks the Kitty and directs both the camera arrangement and via Wi-Fi, the each radio controlled node to follow and position the camera arrangement directly above the Kitty.

[041] Advantageously the cable arrangement has provided for a simplistic and unique means of being able to have the camera arrangement adapted to follow the kitty in the game of lawn bowls at either end of the bowling green and also laterally across any particular playing strip.

[042] For example by having the camera arrangement radio controlled it will be controllable to move up and down along the bowling green so as to be positioned as required at either end of the bowling green depending upon that end to which the kitty has been placed to act as the target for the competitors taking part in the game of lawn bowls.

[043] In those instances where the kitty is no longer aligned with the longitudinal cable, for example the kitty has rolled away slightly after being dislodged by a delivered bowl, the camera arrangement can still be moved laterally side to side by the fact that it is supported on the opposing lateral cables.

[044] In an alternative embodiment the camera arrangement through radio control operable by a user is adaptable to be positioned above the kitty.

[045] As the camera arrangement is held up by non-intrusive cables, there is no shadowing effect or cumbersome, expensive and visually unattractive framework structure required.

[046] The use of just the single cable means that as there is no significant structural framework the cable itself will give off no shade and so forth which may make viewing of the bowling green more difficult.

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 [047] As the radio controlled nodes at either end linking together the main longitudinal cable as well as the camera arrangement itself radio controlled, there is no requirement to have to introduce any expensive and potentially dangerous hardwired arrangements.

[048] In preference the radio controlled nodes and camera arrangement include rechargeable batteries.

[049] In preference the rechargeable batteries are recharged from solar installations connected either upon each radio controlled node and/or camera arrangement or in close proximity thereto.

[050] Advantageously as the positioning of the camera arrangement above the kitty in order to achieve the requisite scoring requirement by making the measurements of distances between delivered bowls relative to the kitty from separate competitors is all completed through the radio controlled nodes, camera and cable arrangement, once the camera arrangement has been put in position, for example it has moved along the longitudinal cable into place at a particular end at the bowling green, it then will not give off any ongoing noise and so forth thereby providing no interruptions than would otherwise be expected from the conventional game of lawn bowls.

[051] In preference each lateral cable runs along the entire lateral length of a bowling green.

[052] In preference each parallel playing strip or rink on a bowling green includes a separate independent longitudinal cable connected at either ends to the laterally supported cable through respective radio controlled nodes.

[053] Advantageously the introduction of the lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring system can be introduced, not to just a single playing strip or rink of the bowling green, but across the entire grass or synthetic surface.

[054] Each parallel strip or rink can have its own independent camera arrangement which will be working with its own independent visual display unit in order to present,

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 not only the scoring for that particular game, but also means in which the players, teams or groups competing on that particular strip or rink as part of the overall bowling green, can monitor their game individually.

[055] Advantageously, as introduced above, this cable arrangement avoids the needs of a more substantial structural framework than one would generally expect would be required in order to achieve such an improved outcome for scoring and game monitoring of lawn bowls.

[056] Unlike even the conventional lighting system for the bowling green which requires hard-wiring, once again the introduction of the cable arrangement and the unique use of the radio controlled nodes that interconnect the longitudinal cable to which the camera arrangement sits thereupon, can all be controlled without any direct and expensive hard-wiring.

[057] Hence this unique lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement can be incorporated into the bowling green inexpensively and without taking away any of aesthetics of the bowling green.

[058] In an alternative embodiment of the invention the camera arrangement is adapted to follow from above the kitty through the use of a radio controlled drone and/or flying apparatus.

[059] In this preferred embodiment utilising a radio controlled drone, the drone will be equipped so as to have internal logic and functionality so as to be able to either be independently controlled to follow the kitty or be able to inherently recognise the kitty so as to be positionable above the kitty in order for the camera arrangement to provide the requisite imagery to which the distance meter arrangement can then complete the measurements between bowls and the kitty so that scoring can be determined and then displayed upon the visual display unit.

[060] Advantageously through the use of the radio controlled drone there will be no additional supporting infrastructure in order to support the camera arrangement as it is positioned above the kitty.

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 [061] Advantageously this invention provides for an automatic scoring system for lawn bowls which in preferred embodiments can be solar powered which will allow the camera arrangement to constantly track the kitty without the requirement of a external or separate power source other than solar.

[062] The camera arrangement will be able to measure bowls distances, eliminating human error and in preferred embodiments the whole system can be wi-fi operated.

[063] As introduced above, preferably the cable nodes and camera arrangement are solar powered and the camera arrangement can also include additional functionality and logic to be able to collect data on green usage for the greens keeper.

In preferred embodiments the arrangement may rely upon:

• Wi-Fi Control - transmitting control signals and live colour images across short distances.

• Visual Object Tracking - automatic image acquisition of objects based on size and colour.

• Remote Distance Measuring - high resolution measurement of small distances between objects.

• Solar Power - flexible membrane solar power generation & storage.

[064] Preferably a stainless steel cable is supported between steel posts across each end of the bowling green and a solar powered ‘Cable Dolly’ is mounted onto each of the end cables and able to traverse the length of those cables as directed through its Wi-Fi connection with the arrangement.

[065] A third cable is carried between the two Cable Dollies for the solar powered ‘Camera Dolly’ to travel on. The Camera Dolly houses a specialised Industrial Vision Camera (IVC) that automatically identifies and tracks the white Kitty and directs both itself and via Wi-Fi, the two cable dollies to always follow and position the IVC directly above the Kitty.

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 [066] Once positioned above the Kitty, the IVC automatically tracks each player’s bowls as they approach the Kitty, and when the bowls come to rest, the camera software calculates the distances between all visible bowls and the Kitty to an accuracy of half of one video display pixel.

[067] These visuals and measurements are wirelessly transmitted live to an LCD scoreboard display that has a touchscreen for the input other data to be displayed, including team names, players’ names, green speed and so forth.

[068] In a further form of the invention there is provided a lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement, said arrangement including;

[069] a positioning system adapted to determine a location of a kitty in a game of lawn bowls;

[070] said positioning system further adapted to determine the location of a delivered bowl or bowls around the location of the kitty;

[071] a positioning system controller with functionality to interpret a location of each delivered bowl relative to the location of the kitty to determine a distance or distances of a nearest bowl or bowls to said kitty of a player, team or group compared to a competing player, team or group of the delivered bowl or bowls to said kitty; and [072] a display arrangement working in communication with said positioning system such that when the positioning system has determined the distance of the nearest bowl or bowls to said kitty this is communicated and displayed as a score upon a visual display unit.

[073] In preference the positioning system includes radio communication wherein the kitty and each delivered bowl includes a receiver, wherein each receiver is adapted to calculate its position by timing signals sent by a transmitter or transmitters of the positioning system.

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 [074] In preference each receiver is a GPS receiver adapted to calculate its position by timing signals sent by GPS satellites.

[075] In an alternative embodiment of the invention the positioning system is a local positioning system using triangulation, trilateration and/or multilateration to determine the location of each receiver incorporated in the kitty and each of the delivered bowls.

[076] In preference the display arrangement working in communication with the positioning system when determining the distance of the nearest bowl or bowls to the kitty, displays this information of the locations of the jack relative to the nearest bowl or bowls pictorially upon the visual display unit.

[077] Advantageously as the positioning system is adapted to determine the location of the kitty and each of the delivered bowls and in conjunction with the positioning system controller able to interpret those locations into measured distances between the respective bowls being delivered by the competitors to the kitty allows for an ability to no longer rely upon conventional scoring systems of using a pencil on a score card but upon independent accurate information where real time images can be presented on a visual display unit, such as a computer monitor or screen displaying clearly and accurate distance measurements between bowls being delivered and their distances to the jack so that once again in real time scoring and “shots” can be awarded for each bowl which a competitor has delivered closer to the kitty than the opponent’s bowl or bowls.

[078] In order now to describe the invention in greater detail a series of preferred embodiment will be presented with the assistance of the following illustrations and accompanying text.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [079] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 [080] Figure 2 is a similar schematic representation to that shown in Figure 1 including also delivered bowls being measured relative to the kitty.

[081] Figure 3 is a representative example in a preferred embodiment as to how information will be displayed upon a visual display unit.

[082] Figure 4 is a further preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the arrangement is adapted to work upon individual playing strips or rinks across the bowling green.

[083] Figure 5 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention as to how the camera arrangement can be adapted to follow the kitty in a game of lawn bowls.

[084] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of further preferred embodiment of the invention as to how a positioning system may be employed to provide a lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement.

[085] Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of a further preferred embodiment of the invention associated with the visual display unit arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [086] Referring to the drawings now in greater detail starting with Figures 1 and 2 wherein one playing strip or rink of a conventional bowling green where the grass or synthetic is shown as (10).

[087] Opposing lateral cables (12) and (14), which would also include or be reference as piping and/or tubing are supported on upright support posts shown generally as (16) provide the requisite support for the longitudinal cable or tubing (20) wherein said cable or tubing (20) is interconnected to the lateral support cables (12) and (14) by the respective radio controlled nodes (18a) and (18b).

[088] The camera arrangement (22) is supported on the longitudinal cable (20).

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 [089] As shown by way of arrows (15) for lateral movement as well as longitudinal movement (23), the camera arrangement (22) which will include the distance meter arrangement (not shown) and the requisite functionality to communicate with the visual display unit (28) on the console (26) which in this embodiment shown by way of (30) would be wireless.

[090] The camera arrangement (22), through radio control, can be positioned at either end of the bowling green as it is moved along cable (20).

[091] In Figure 1 the camera arrangement (22) sits atop of the kitty (24), also in some instances referred to as a jack.

[092] The camera arrangement (22) along with its distance meter arrangement, will have inherent ability to be able to determine distances between where the players and competitors (25) and (27) deliver the bowl to the actual kitty (24) itself.

[093] All this information can be made available upon the visual display unit (28) as part of a user operable console (26).

[094] The actual displayed information upon the visual display unit (28) of consol (26) will be discussed in greater detail when referencing Figure 3.

[095] In Figure 2, in addition to the kitty (24), there are two delivered bowls (32) and (34) from players (25) and (27) to which the camera arrangement with its internal inherent features, is able to measure the distances between the kitty (24) and each of the respective bowls (32) and (34).

[096] Again as will be explained in greater detail in relation to Figure 3, that essentially the camera arrangement (22) and the distance meter arrangement included as part of the camera arrangement (22) will include functionality so as to recognise a delivered bowl from separate players, teams or groups such that after each bowl is delivered in the game of lawn bowls, the distance meter arrangement will be able to determine the distance and player, team or group of the closest bowl or bowls to the jack compared to the competing player, team or group. Hence as

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 each competitor is delivering their bowls, the distance of the closest bowl or bowls to the jack can be determined in real-time by the camera arrangement to provide updated scoring.

[097] For example, in Figure 3 the home team (42) currently has a holding shot of three as shown by (48) compared to the away team (44) with zero as shown by (49).

[098] Hence in real-time, the players (25) and (27) are able to view the actual arrangement about the kitty shown by way of (40) in Figure 3 and have an understanding of a player or team’s holding shots, which can then assist a subsequent play determining whether or not any further delivered bowls need not necessarily be placed near the jack, but alternatively in positions to make it difficult for opponents to get their bowls closer to the kitty.

[099] Therefore, even though players (25) and (27) are away from the kitty (24) per se, as they are able to monitor the situation about the kitty (24) upon the visual display unit (28) incorporated as part ofthe console (26), they can once again in realtime be made aware of how the bowls are being arranged about the kitty so as to make a more informed tactical decision when delivering a further subsequent bowl.

[0100] Advantageously the visual display unit provides current overall scores shown in this instance as 02 for the home team in display (45) and 11 shown in display (46) for the away team (44).

[0101] Information is also provided as to the number of ends played within the game which in this instance is shown as 9 referred to as (47).

[0102] Next bowler information can also be displayed upon the visual display unit shown representatively by way of number (50). Initially information about the bowler and ordering of bowlers can be inputted by the user and in some preferred embodiments this can assist the arrangement in recognizing the different bowls of competing players, teams and/or groups.

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 [0103] Accordingly the camera arrangement not only provides a means in which accurate measurements can be made between the kitty and each of the bowls delivered within the game, but also use this information to provide ongoing up-to-date scoring and also, importantly, as the camera arrangement (22) is adapted to be positioned above the kitty (24) it also provides images that can be communicated back to the visual display unit (28) upon the console (26) so that the players (25) and (27) can be fully informed of the current positioning of the bowls about the kitty.

[0104] As introduced previously, the visual display unit can provide additional information such as climate conditions, including temperature, wind and humidity all of which relevant sensors can be incorporated as part of the overall camera arrangement, or located elsewhere but communicated back to the console through Wi-Fi or other radio control means.

[0105] Figure 4 is an extension of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, however the arrangement shown generally as (52) has been incorporated into each individual playing strip or rink shown as (55).

[0106] Essentially there is still the main opposing lateral cables (54), (56) and upright supports (53) interconnected to the longitudinal cables (58), (60), (62) and (64), each supporting their respective camera arrangement (59), (61), (63) and (65).

[0107] The radio controlled nodes (51a) and (51b) allow lateral movement wherein longitudinal movement is maintained by radio control of the camera arrangements (59), (61), (63) and (65) along the respective longitudinal cables (58), (60), (62) and (64).

[0108] Each camera arrangement (59), (61), (63) and (65) can act independently of the other and thereby the bowling green itself provides a scoring arrangement for each individual game that is going on and to which each strip or rink (55) of the bowling green can have its own corresponding console (66) and visual display unit (67).

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 [0109] As is to be expected, in some embodiments the visual display unit may be independent and/or in addition to the console (66), for example back in the clubrooms or a large screen viewable by an extended audience over and above those playing the game.

[0110] Figure 5 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention shown generally as (70) wherein the camera arrangement (72) is presented as a radio controlled drone or flying object.

[0111] Nonetheless the fundamentals of the invention remain the same in that rather than having the camera arrangement being moved in position through the use of the lateral and longitudinal cables running along the length and sides of the bowling green, in this embodiment a radio controlled flying object or drone would incorporate the camera arrangement and related distance meter arrangement and general control to follow the kitty and so forth, and also importantly to provide the requisite information so as to present the scoring and monitoring of the bowls about the kitty as presented in Figure 3 upon a visual display device.

[0112] Each radio controlled camera arrangement (72) would be able to make the necessary measurements between the kitty (75) and delivered bowls (76) from the requisite competitors (71) and (73) wherein the information would, as with the previous embodiments, be presented upon visual display units (77) as part of a console (74) or independent visual display device (not shown).

[0113] In Figure 6 a positioning system shown generally as (80) is adapted to determine the location of the kitty (84) with a delivered bowl (86), through the use in this arrangement of a satellite (88) as part of a global positioning system.

[0114] Radio communication (93), (95) and (89) between the satellites of the global positioning system which in this embodiment is represented by a single satellite (88) for pictorial reasons only, as the person skilled in the art will appreciate that there will be the requirement for the GPS receivers in each of the kitty (84) and the delivered

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 bowl (86) to be in radio communication and receiving timing signals from not just a single GPS satellite but several satellites positioned above the earth.

[0115] The rink or strip (82) where the game of lawn bowls is being played, shows players (85) and (87) playing a game of lawn bowls.

[0116] The positioning system controller, in the embodiment incorporated as part of a user operable console of a computer (92), once the locations of the kitty (84) and the delivered bowl (86) are determined is such so as to communicate in real time shown by way of the radio communication (90) to the display arrangement (93) which is then able to have the functionality to translate this information associated with the location of the kitty and the delivered bowl so as to present this as information upon the display arrangement (93) of the computer (92) so that by being able to recognise the location of the delivered bowl (86) relative to the kitty (84) distance measurements are able to be determined in order to display the score as well upon the electronic display (93).

[0117] Figure 7 is a further extension of the idea of the electronic visual display (93) and computer console (92) shown in Figure 6 where it could also be communicated to a smart phone (96) whereon the display (99) of the smart phone (96) the score and a pictorial representation of the current status of the game including kitty and delivered bowls can be shown, as the smart phone is in radio communication (98) with the information that has been provided from the information being transmitted from the kitty (103) and the delivered bowl (101) through the radio communication associated with the positioning system.

[0118] While not shown in the illustrations, it is to be appreciated that each of the kitty and the bowls to be delivered would have their own identification tag or the like incorporated within the kitty or bowl.

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2020100235 18 Feb 2020 [0119] Whether this is incorporated at the time of manufacturing and/or simply added as a chip or the like that can be attached thereon to an existing bowl or kitty will all be optional.

[0120] The essential aspect of this preferred embodiment of the invention is the utilisation of a positioning system wherein the kitty and the bowls to be delivered will have the ability to receive and, as necessary, transmit information so that the respective locations can be determined and wherein the determination of these locations can then be interpreted and manipulated upon, so as to provide measurements of distances which can be used for real time scoring of the game of lawn bowls and also to pictorially present that information showing the location of the kitty relative to the delivered bowls on a visual display screen for players to be able to review.

Claims

1. A lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement, said arrangement including:

a camera arrangement adapted to follow from above a kitty in a game of lawn bowls;

said camera arrangement including a distance meter arrangement adapted to interpret images from said camera arrangement for measuring a distance between a delivered bowl with said kitty;

said distance meter arrangement including functionality to recognise a bowl or bowls from competing players, teams or groups such that after each bowl is delivered in the game of lawn bowls said distance meter is enabled to determine a distance of a nearest bowl or bowls to said kitty of a player, team or group compared to a bowl or bowls of a competing player, team or group to said kitty;

a display arrangement working in electrical and/or electronic communication with said distance meter arrangement, wherein the display arrangement and the distance meter arrangement are enabled to translate the distance of the nearest bowl or bowls to said kitty of the player, team or group compared to the bowl or bowls of the competing player, team or group to said kitty as information displayable as a score upon a visual display unit.

2. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 1 wherein the display arrangement is in electrical and/or electronic communication with said camera arrangement such that the camera arrangement is adapted to capture imagery about said kitty, wherein the captured imagery about said kitty is viewable on the visual display unit so that players, teams and/or groups are able to view the location of a delivered bowl or bowls about the kitty from an end to which a bowl is to be delivered.

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3. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 2 wherein the distance meter arrangement is further adapted to interpret images from said camera arrangement and/or an independent camera arrangement so as to establish a distance measurement from an end to which a player will deliver a bowl to the kitty, wherein said distance measurement from the end to which the player will deliver the bowl to the kitty is displayable on the visual display unit.

4. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 3 wherein the camera arrangement, distance meter arrangement and the display arrangement electrical and/or electronic communication includes radio control and/or Wi-Fi control for transmitting information between the respective camera arrangement, distance meter arrangement and the display arrangement.

5. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 4 wherein the functionality of the distance meter arrangement to recognise competing players, teams or groups is from inputted information by a user into a computer in electrical and/or electronic communication with the distance meter arrangement of the first player, team or group and then the competing player, team or group.

6. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 4 wherein the functionality of the distance meter arrangement to recognise competing players, teams or groups is from Visual Object Tracking wherein automatic image acquisition of objects based on size and/or colour determines competing players, teams and/or groups bowls.

7. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 4 wherein the distance meter arrangement includes remote distance measuring wherein high resolution measurement of small distances between the bowl and the kitty can be measured.

8. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 1 wherein the visual display unit is in electrical and/or electronic communication with a computer so as to display information including next bowler and ends played.

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9. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 1 wherein the camera arrangement includes a sensor or sensors so that climatic conditions are measurable, including wind, temperature, precipitation and/or humidity wherein the measurable climatic conditions are displayable upon the visual display unit.

10. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 8 wherein the visual display unit and the computer forms part of an upstanding console.

11. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 10 wherein there is a separate display screen adapted to display information displayable upon the visual display unit.

12. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 11 wherein the upstanding console provides user input means so that information including players, teams or group information can be inputted into the computer so that such information is then displayable upon the visual display unit.

13. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 12 wherein the inputted information is usable by the distance meter arrangement to recognise competing players, teams or groups and wherein the visual display unit is adapted to highlight the name of the next player, team or group to bowl.

14. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 1 wherein the camera arrangement is adapted to follow the kitty upon a cable arrangement.

15. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 14 wherein the camera arrangement is adapted to follow the kitty upon a cable arrangement by radio control including Wi-Fi and/or by visual object tracking wherein automatic image acquisition of the kitty on size and/or colour can be programmed into the camera arrangement and internal control allows for the camera arrangement to then follow the kitty accordingly.

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16. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 15 wherein the cable arrangement includes a laterally supported cable at each end of a bowling green and one longitudinal cable along the length of the bowling green.

17. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 16 wherein the longitudinal cable is joined and supported at opposing distal ends of said longitudinal cable to each laterally supported cable respectively by a radio controlled node.

18. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 17 wherein the camera arrangement is radio controlled to move longitudinally up and down the longitudinal cable to follow from above the kitty.

19. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 17 wherein the camera arrangement includes an Industrial Vision Camera (IVC) that automatically identifies and tracks the Kitty and directs both the camera arrangement and via Wi-Fi, the each radio controlled node to follow and position the camera arrangement directly above the Kitty.

20. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 17 wherein the camera arrangement through radio control operable by a user is adaptable to be positioned above the kitty.

21. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 17 wherein the radio controlled nodes and camera arrangement include rechargeable batteries.

22. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 21 wherein the rechargeable batteries are recharged from solar installations connected either upon each radio controlled node and/or camera arrangement or in close proximity thereto.

23. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 17 wherein each lateral cable runs along the entire lateral length of a bowling green.

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24. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 23 wherein each parallel playing strip or rink on a bowling green includes a separate independent longitudinal cable connected at either ends to the laterally supported cable through respective radio controlled nodes.

25. The lawn bowls scoring and game monitoring arrangement of claim 1 wherein the camera arrangement is adapted to follow from above the kitty through the use of a radio controlled drone and/or flying apparatus.