DE3044840A1 - ELECTRONIC APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A BOWLING GAME SYSTEM THAT HAS MULTIPLE TOWELS - Google Patents

Description

November 24, 1980 P 8411 - reba

Mario Bentivoglio, Mompiano, Italy

Electronic apparatus for operating a system for bowling which has several bowling alleys.

The invention relates to an electronic apparatus for operating a system for bowling which has several bowling lanes possesses, for each of which an electromechanical device is provided in a manner known per se, which the Actuation of the organs is assigned to manipulate the cone and to make known the cone position as well as to Provide processable signals after each shot or thrust. The present invention is accordingly directed to a Electronic device for operating in particular a system for bowling directed, but without the possibility exclude that this device is also suitable for the operation of a complex of automatic distributors for various Products related to bowling or

can.

can also be used without a connection to this / in the case of the systems for the bowling game, each lane is usually its own

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Provided apparatus that serves on the one hand to the cyclical Function of the mechanical means for the various and complex movements related to re-erection and the removal of the pins, to check for the identification of pins that have not been knocked over and so on and which, on the other hand, is intended to record, in general, the data on the basis of which the points are determined after each shot or thrust.

In practice, bowling is currently * individually lane operated for rail, which takes a considerable amount of time and also high operating costs and cumbersome calculations required for the general bookkeeping of the system.

On the other hand, the main object of the present invention is to provide an electronic apparatus which is suitable is to operate at least a plurality of bowling lanes simultaneously, but independently of one another, such that one has an easy, precise and immediate control of the calculation situation on each orbit and overall on the whole system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic apparatus which programs so is that in real, justifiable times, with every shot or thrust, the signals sent by the every lane of a bowling

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System associated electromechanical control devices originate, processed, output signals for control of the aforementioned control devices and supplies partial data or total data in Eechnungform that relate to refer to the total number of shots or thrusts carried out on each lane and in the system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the type in question here, which is a variable program with respect to various related or periodic parameters, such parameters can be the variations in the total cost per Shot, the daily, evening costs, the costs on public holidays, etc. so that the device and apparatus in each one Case is appropriate and appropriate.

Another object is to provide a device which can be used with advantage in systems for bowling without changing the mechanics and the traditional functioning of the systems themselves.

For the above purpose it is provided according to the invention in the new apparatus that there are as many electronic Control or control groups or »'- units are provided as electromechanical devices in such a way that any electronic control or control group or unit

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an electromechanical device assigned to a bowling alley corresponds, with any electronic control or control group or unit being suitable that of the corresponding Electromechanical device to receive incoming signals and to use them on the basis of a predetermined work program to process and signals to make visible and readable the values worked out and to control the device to generate, and that in connection with all control or control groups or units an electronic processing unit is provided which is suitable for the output signals to process at the output of each control or control group or unit and thereby convert them into data for a partial and / or complete bookkeeping for storing and / or making visible or readable as desired and according to in the electronic processing unit to convert stored parameters. For the above-mentioned purpose, the apparatus is in accordance with The present invention is intended to be used with the devices for electromechanical control of the games on each of to be connected to a plurality of lanes of a bowling game facility, and it is characterized in that it has as many electronic control groups and units as there are devices provided such that each group or unit corresponds to a device on a track and the various groups or units are suitable for the Record data that come from the corresponding device after each shot or thrust in order to transfer this data

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work on the basis of a predetermined work program and generate signals that make them visible or readable the compiled data are used, as well as signals for the control of the device, with a processing unit in connection with all groups or units used for control is provided which is suitable for processing the output signals at the output of each control group or unit and convert them into data for partial and / or total accounting, which are stored and / or made visible can be, depending on your request.

According to another feature of the invention, the apparatus is useful for operating a bowling game facility provided with means that interrupt and break the function of the mechanical control device in each track the case in which there are time intervals between one shot and the next shot which are greater than a certain one Time, and this in order to avoid energy loss and to limit the wear and tear on the device, which would otherwise be the case with the known arrangements according to the prior art always remains in function, even during breaks in play.

In the drawing, an embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is shown. Show it:

Fig. 1 with a bowling game system

several bowling alleys by

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an apparatus according to the invention are controlled, in schematic form Depiction,

Fig. 2 one of the control and control

groups or units that are also used to process the Data is used, shown schematically in a block diagram,

Fig. 3 shows the device for processing the

Output signals from each control and control group or unit again in a schematic representation in block circuit and

Fig. 4 shows the means for interrupting the

Function of the electromechanical device of each lane in the case of extended Breaks in the game in a schematic block diagram.

In the drawing, 1, 2, 3 are some tracks of a plurality of skittles or fairways of a bowling game system shown, each with an electromechanical device A

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for actuating the plane carrying the cones, the rake, the arm used for cone transport, etc., as well as means for Determine the number of knocked pins after each shot or contains thrust. This electromechanical device A and these means, as well as their function, are known per se and therefore do not need special attention. It is enough merely to point out that the device A is suitable for generating signals with each shot or thrust, due to which it is possible to determine the points of the game and which are also used for an operation of the game from From the point of view of bookkeeping and the device from the point of view of function with the aid of the apparatus according to the present invention Invention.

For the above purpose, the electromechanical device A of each game or bowling alley 1, 2, 3 is the best

Line or

and most suitable way, ie via a / line 1 ', 2 ¹ , connected to an electronic control or control unit or group B capable of processing the signals sent after each shot or thrust from the device itself come, and emit signals, which are passed on to a processing unit E, which in turn processes and processes the signals in order to provide the data for the accounting operation of the device.

In a preferred embodiment, but not necessarily is exclusive, any control or tax

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group or unit B fed by a low voltage source 27 and contains, as in Pig. 2 is shown, a Input interface 11 suitable for coming from device A via line 1 '. Record signals and through a logic interrupter 12 and a bidirectional buffer 13 in a data bus 13 ' to a microprocessor-like working central processor unit 14 to which an oscillator 15 is assigned is. This central processor unit 14 is stored via a signal buffer 26 from a memory unit 16 of the EPROM type operated in which the program of the sequential function or the electromechanical device A for control and control of a corresponding game or bowling alley own cycle has been saved. This central processing unit 14 controls and controls the development on the one hand via a direction "latch" 17 and via a direction bus 18 of the program in the memory unit 16 and, on the other hand, generates signals via an input-output determiner 19, which are suitable are an input interface "for inputs with low power 20 or an output" interface "for outputs greater power 21 to control.

The interface for the low power outputs 20 controls a block of the low power outputs 20 ', which is via the Line 22 is connected to an optical viewing or reading device 23 and controls this, for example with lamps that the

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Device A assigned to the corresponding track with the purpose is the position of the pins that have not been knocked over after each shot or thrust and / or other phases of the game to display. The interface for the outputs of the large power 21 controls and controls a block of outputs for the great performance 21 'which in turn via a line 24 and also due to the device 19 the electromechanical ^ device A of the corresponding path for the control of the various movements of the plane of the cones, the rake, the Transport arm for the cones etc. controls. The high power outputs 21 transmit after each shot a line 10 'sends suitable signals to the processing unit E, which is assigned to the accounting operation.

Essentially, each control and control unit or group B is that of a corresponding lane of the bowling game facility is assigned, designed so that, as soon as the signals emanating from the device A of the corresponding track, have been included, the following functions have been developed:

a) The cyclic function of the electromechanical is performed via the microprocessor-like central processor unit 14 Device for the phases of depositing and picking up the cones after the various shots from the side the player's elaborated;

b) it is via the optical viewing or reading device 22 that

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is assigned to the corresponding path, the position of the not overturned cone signals for the definition of the points and for the further development of the shots or thrusts and displayed;

c) the drive mechanisms are controlled, the various Actuate and cause movements of the plane of the cones, the rake, the transport arm, etc., controlled and controlled so that the game can develop;

d) it becomes every executed shot or thrust of the processing unit E signaled and displayed for accounting operation.

For this latter function and as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, the output interfaces 21 are all control and Control units or groups B of the plurality of tracks 1, 2, of the system via the corresponding lines 10 'with the processing unit E, of which a preferred, albeit not exclusive, embodiment is shown schematically in Fig. 3 of the drawing is shown.

The processing unit E is with the help of a gauze filter 31 stabilized feeder 30 fed, which cuts off the network parasites to the voltages for the entire Unit to deliver. An accumulator 32 is provided, however, in order to supply power to the group or unit in that case ensure that there is a temporary lack of mains voltage and ensure normal operation at the logic level of the processing unit

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to allow for a certain period of time.

This processing unit E contains an input interface 33 to which the signals arrive via suitable adapters 34- which arrive via the lines 10 'from the control and control units or groups B.

The signals then go from the input interface 33 via a logic interrupter 35 and the data bus line to a first memory unit of the RAM type and to a second memory unit 38 of the EPROM type, which memory units control the function of a microprocessor-like working central processor unit 39, which is an oscillator assigned.

The first memory unit 37 of the RAM type operates the Part of the functional program that requires changes, e.g. introducing or entering uniform prices, requesting partial or total data, etc. The changes A keyboard 4-1 and an input control multiplex 42 can be used in the first memory unit 37.

The second storage unit 38 of the EPROM type operates in close cooperation with the first storage unit 37 Function program of the microprocessor-like working central units Processor unit 39 via a buffer for the control signals

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43 and a bidirectional buffer 44 on the data bus line 36.

The central processor unit 39 controls via a direction latch 45 and a direction bus 46, the pitgrams in the storage and operates an output interface 47, which for this purpose is determined, the control signals for the digital ignition of a first optical viewing or reading device 48 and a second To elaborate optical viewing and reading device 49 for reading the data corresponding to the aforementioned signals. In Connection to the viewing and reading devices 48, 49 and the keyboard 41 can also be a printing device 50, e.g. an electrosensitive paper to be provided for Writing the compiled data is used.

In practice, the processing unit E is intended to be used via the microprocessor-like central processing unit 39 to process the signals of the shots or thrusts sent by each control and control unit or group B of the Play or bowling alley of the facility based on the programming in the store, which can be: the cost for every shot or thrust, the cost of the daily or the evening game, the cost of playing on public holidays or Sundays, the number of shots or thrusts made etc. The unit then delivers the information entered via the keyboard 41 at any moment and at the request of the operator has been: the total data, in terms of cost, on

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each lane played shots or thrusts, optionally that partial data, expressed in costs, of the shots or thrusts played on each lane, the total data, in costs expressed, the shots or thrusts played on all lanes of the system and all other programmed data, which are necessary for the economic operation of the plant.

The components of each control and control unit or -group B and the processing unit E can be organized on cards or in the practical implementation Slips of paper with limited dimensions and small space requirements, which are also easily accessible.

The keyboard 41 for access to the memory unit 37 for the changes and for calling up the EaIl on a case-by-case basis necessary data includes, for example, a plurality of keys for inputting the numbers and a plurality of keys for entering different, predetermined codes for access to the storage units, for effecting the changes, for distinguishing one operator from another, etc.

The optical viewing or reading devices 48, 49 are provided and arranged to be entered via the keyboard on request becomes, the sorrows of the case to be controlled

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Make lane visible, as well as the number of on each lane shots or thrusts played as well as the partial or total amounts of on each lane and for the whole Attachment played shots or thrusts.

The processing unit can also work with other reading devices for making the operation of the lanes of the bowling game facility visible, as well as for making them visible the corresponding fees, the codes for access to the storage units, etc.

Essentially for this reason, by acting on the keyboard 41, it is possible to develop the accounting Operation of the facility individually for each fairway and overall for the entire complex to be highlighted and visible close.

Finally, it should also be noted that a timer unit C is provided for each lane 1, 2, 3 of the system can, as already mentioned above, which for example, as shown in Fig. 4, can consist of an input adapter 51 which cuts off the network parasites, from an oscillator 52 controlled by a timing device 53 and from an output amplifier 54. The input adapter 51 is with the output interface for greater powers 21 of the corresponding control and control unit or group B connected and in particular

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with the line 24 for transmitting the signals from this group or unit to the device to be controlled A. The Signals actuate the oscillator 52 via the adapter 51, the after a predetermined number of oscillations the output amplifier 54- interrupts and stops, - to the drive organs the device A to stop.

In this way the operation of setting the cones on the track is interrupted, if not two in a row Shots or thrusts are carried out in the period of time determined by the time unit C in order to do this unnecessary function of the device and undesirable wear and tear on its organs and loss of energy to avoid.

The device described above can also be modified in detail without departing from the scope of protection of Invention came out. In addition, the device can be provided with a suitable storage of the relative data also for the accounting operation of a complex of automatic distributors of products in combination and simultaneously or separately with the operation of the bowling game, the partial or total sums in terms of costs the removal of the distributors are highlighted and made visible in the same way and with the same Means that also serve to highlight and make visible the income of the bowling game by being in

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appropriate codes to the memories of the processing unit presient.

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Claims (6)

304484Q November 24, 1980
P 8411 - reba Mario Bentivoglio, Mompiano, Italy Electronic apparatus for operating a system for
the bowling game, which has several bowling alleys. Expectations j) Electronic apparatus for operating a system for bowling, which has several bowling alleys, for
each in a manner known per se an electromechanical device is provided which is assigned to the actuation of the organs which are used to manipulate the cone and to make the cone position known and to output processable signals after each shot or thrust, characterized in that they are so many electronic
Control or control groups or units (B) has, as electromechanical ^ devices (A) are provided in such a way that each electronic control or control group or unit corresponds to an electromechanical device assigned to a bowling alley, each electronic control or control group or . -unit is suitable for the signal coming from the corresponding electromechanical device 130045/0481 - 2 ORIGINAL INSPECTED 3D44840 nale, and based on a predetermined To process the work program and signals to make the values worked out visible and readable and for the To generate control of the device, and that in connection with all control or control groups or units (B) an electronic processing unit (E) is provided is that is capable of the output signals at the output of each To process control or control group or unit and this in data for a partial and / or complete Bookkeeping for saving and / or visible or Make readable as desired and according to in the electronic Processing unit to convert stored parameters. ' 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that each electronic control and control group or unit (B) Receiving means (11) for receiving the from the corresponding electromechanical device (A) after each shot or ssor thrust coming signals, a microprocessor-like working central processor unit (14) for processing the signals received from a memory unit (16) via a signal buffer (26) is operated, and a designation unit for the inlets and the outlets (19) controlled by the microprocessor-type central processing unit becomes and here an "interface" for the outputs of small power (20) and an "interface" for the outputs of large 130046/0481 " ³ - Power (21) controls and controls, the storage unit (16) generates the program for the sequential function of the electromechanical device and the central one Processor unit (14) is suitable to control the development of the program in the memory unit and to control and the signals for controlling the "Interface" for the low-power outputs and the "Interface" for the outputs to generate high power, the "interface" for the outputs of small power an optical display device controls and controls for the visualization of the compiled data and the "interface" for the outputs large Power controls the punctures of the electromechanical device (A) and is suitable for transmitting signals to the processing unit (6), which is suitable for the signals process and convert them into countable and accounting data. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic processing unit (E) has the following components contains: means (33, 34) for receiving the from each electronic Control or control group or unit (B) incoming signals, a microprocessor-like working central Processor unit (29) for processing the aforesaid signals emitted by a part that is subject to change of the program containing first memory unit (37) and of one of the work or function programs of the foregoing 130045/0481 the second memory unit (58) controlling the central processor unit is operated, an "interface" for the outputs (4-7), which is operated by the aforementioned central processor unit and is intended to receive the control signals for the Digital ignition in a first optical reading or viewing device (4-8) and in a second optical reading or viewing device (4-9) for reading the signals based on the aforementioned signals and based on the program in the first memory unit elaborated data to be elaborated. 4-. Apparatus according to claim J, characterized in that the The first storage unit is a storage unit of the "HAM" type and via a keyboard for entering the data to be processed and a multiplex (4-2) controlling the inlets ("Multiplex condizionale ingressi ") and possibly via a code to be entered with the aid of the aforementioned keyboard. 5- apparatus according to claim 3 or 4-, characterized in that that the keyboard and the first and the second light or reading device is assigned a printing device. 6. Apparatus according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that that the second memory unit is a memory unit of the type "EPROM". 7 · Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that 130045/0481 - 5 - it still has the means to ensure the functioning of the mechanical control device for each bowling alley and which includes: an inlet adapter (51) and one of a timing unit (53) and an outlet amplifier (54) controlled oscillator (52), the inlet amplifier (51) having the means for the outlet of the signals of the corresponding control or control group or unit (B) is connected for receiving the aforementioned signals, which signals the oscillator (52) in enable such a way to switch off the output amplifier (54) after a predetermined number of oscillations, to stop the drive members for driving the electromechanical device (A). 130045 / Q481