DE69127278T2 - SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING ARROW STATISTICS - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for conducting dart leagues or tournaments from multiple remote locations. Each electronic dart game is capable of receiving data from and transmitting data to player cards (60). Each dart game player has a card that identifies a player to a respective dart game, and the player card also stores player data and game statistics. A master dart game (30) is located at each location, interfaces with each of the non-master dart games (50) at that location, and stores statistical data received from the non-master games (50). The central control device (10) polls each master game (30) at a predetermined time to upload and assimilate current statistical data. The central control device (10) then calculates the current standing of each player and downloads player standings to each location. The standings of the players can be displayed at each location via a portable display (40).

Description

This application is a continuation-in-part of US Application Serial No. 07/539,020, which has now been abandoned.

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to collecting and distributing data from remote electronic dart games, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for conducting either a dart league game or competitive game.

Background of the invention

Until now, the manual running of either dart league games or competitions has been very hectic and involves time-consuming processes. Listing the participating players, writing up match cards, calculating the players' scores, collecting the players' scores and calculating the current standings of each player are just a few of the major areas of problems and errors associated with running a dart league game or competition. The added factor of human error can increase the severity of these problems even further.

In competitions, the recording of participating players is prone to error, not only because the recording is complicated and difficult to follow, but also because of the rush and confusion surrounding the recording process. Players are typically required to fill out a participant card. This requires players to handwrite his or her name in small boxes and designate opposing teams. Human error is very likely to occur in this situation because many games are rushed, several people are working on one list, there is difficulty in reading the handwriting on the cards and lists, and questions are asked by the game officials and players during the recording.

During league play, players must closely track each other's scores while also focusing on their own league performance. Players typically calculate each other's scores and track those scores on a nearby board or similar. Such a technique is disorganized, confusing, and prone to human error.

After the conclusion of a match, each player's score must be reported, assimilated with the scores of other players, and then calculated to determine the current standing of each player in the league. Collecting, calculating, and distributing this statistical data typically requires a large amount of time and effort from many people. Liaison officers must travel to all the remote locations and collect the statistical data, and then people located in a central office must calculate the running league standings from the static data. After the running league standings have been calculated, this information must be distributed to each remote location. This entire process is time consuming and very expensive.

Current computerized dart games can help reduce some of the problems associated with league or competitive play. Computerized target games are well known, for example, through U.S. Patent Nos. 4,793,618 to Tillery et al. and 4,824,121 to Beall et al. Such electronic games automatically calculate and display players' scores. Tillery et al. discloses a self-scoring electronic target game with a video display to provide instructions and various game conditions. Beall et al. discloses a dart game with a video display that can be programmed to display a customized display according to the desires of the dart game owner or renter.

While computerized dart games can help with the scoring problems associated with competitive play, these games still fail to solve many of the other problems associated with major league play or competition.

Objectives and summary of the invention

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for automating the data transmission and administration of a dart league or competition.

In this regard, it is an object of the present invention to facilitate the administration of a dart league or competition, to increase the accuracy of the transmitted game data and to reduce the overhead costs by increasing the administrative efficiency.

Another objective of the present invention is to eliminate human errors, which are a factor in collecting and calculating statistical data by hand.

An additional objective of the invention provides for the programming of any remote electronic dart game to be changed from a central location without the assistance of a liaison officer. A central control device can send new programming to any remote remote electronic dart game via a communications medium, such as a transmission link.

Another object of the present invention allows a player to obtain a hard copy printout of his statistics. The present invention records play by play of each player and a player can later retrieve the statistics derived from this information if desired.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dart league or competition system that is more convenient for players. More players can participate in a dart league or competition utilizing the present invention because no matter how remote the location, players can play, it is more accessible to each player. The present invention is also more convenient for players by eliminating the need for players to calculate their current score; all players have to do is throw their darts and enjoy the game.

Briefly stated, the present invention provides a plurality of remote electronic dart games connected to a central controller via a communications medium that allows two-way communication between the central controller and the plurality of remote electronic dart games. The invention, in a preferred embodiment, allows players to participate in a dart league or competition from different locations, yet allows the plurality of electronic dart games to be located in one location. Each electronic dart game can receive and transmit data from and to player cards. Each dart game player has a player card that identifies a player for a corresponding dart game, and the player card also stores player data. and game statistics. A master dart game is located at each remote location. The master dart game interfaces with each of the slave dart games at that remote location. The master dart game stores statistical data obtained from the slave dart games. The central controller polls each master dart game at each remote location at a predetermined time to upload and process ongoing statistical data from each remote location. The central controller then calculates the current score of each player and downloads the player scores to each remote location. The player scores can be displayed at each remote location via a portable display device.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Short description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating two remote locations with a master dart game at each remote location. However, the block diagram is intended to show that a plurality of remote locations may be connected via a communications link, with each remote location having a master dart game and a plurality of slave dart games.

Fig. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the portable display device that can be used in the present invention.

Fig. 3a-3d are flowcharts illustrating a method for controlling the main dart games.

Fig. 3e and 3f are a summary of a program for controlling the main dart games.

Fig. 4a-4c are flowcharts illustrating a method for controlling the slave dart games (slave or satellite).

Fig. 4d is a summary of a program for controlling sub-dart games.

Fig. 5a-5d are one possible data map used in communicating data between the central controller (CCD) and the remotely located master and slave dart games.

While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments, there is no intention to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Description of the preferred embodiments

Turning now to the drawings, Figure 1 is a block diagram of the present invention. A central controller (CCD) 10 is a computer system located remotely from the majority of locations where league or competition players participate. The CCD 10 includes typical features of a computer system such as a display, keyboard, modem, printer, and the like. The CCD 10 serves to consolidate all of the remote electronic dart games and process all of the statistical data of a dart league or competition.

While in a preferred embodiment the invention allows players to participate in a dart league or competition from different locations, it will be readily appreciated that a plurality of electronic dart games may be in one location in another embodiment.

The CCD 10 maintains bi-directional communication with each of the remotely located electronic dart games via a communication medium such as a transmission link 20. The CCD 10 includes a modem that allows the CCD 10 to communicate with each of the remote locations via the transmission link 20. In a preferred embodiment, the transmission link 20 is a conveniently available cable system such as the lines of a public or private telephone system or the like. In an embodiment wherein all of the electronic dart games are located at one location, the transmission link may simply be wires that electronically connect the CCD 10 to the electronic dart games.

To facilitate league or competitive play at multiple locations, each remote location is provided with at least one main dart game 30 and a portable display device 40. Depending on the number of participants at each remote location, the number of secondary dart games 50 at each remote location varies. If a transmission link 20 is not used, then secondary dart games 50 may simply be used and the data is physically transmitted using player cards 60 as the communication medium.

The main dart game 30 has all the features of a conventional electronic dart game, but also includes a more sophisticated control program, a modem, a portable display interface, a player card reader, and several subsidiary dart game interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the main dart game 30 is the only dart game that communicates directly with the CCD 10 via the communication link 20. All of the slave dart games 30 at each remote location communicate with the master dart game 30. This arrangement is more efficient because the CCD 10 only needs to communicate with one dart game at each location to transmit data to and/or obtain statistical data from each remote location. This reduces the time required to transmit data over telephone lines.

According to the present invention, players participate in a dart league or competition at various remote locations and the transmission of game statistics and player data is automated. In the preferred embodiment, each player is provided with a player card and the electronic dart games can accept the player cards 60. The player cards 60 can be any portable data storage device. For example, the player card 60 can be a non-contact integrated circuit (IC) card as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,960,983 to Inoue. Each participant in the dart league or competition has a player card 60 that identifies that player and stores player data and game statistics.

The main dart games 30 and the sub dart games 50 include player card readers 45. The player card readers 45 provide a means for obtaining player data and game statistics from the player cards 60 and also provide a means for transferring new player data and game statistics to the player cards 60. If the IC cards are used as the player cards 60, then the player card reader 45 would be an IC card reader/writer.

If player cards 60 are not used, then a different way of entering player data is assumed. For example, a keyboard can be provided whereby a player enters an identification code so that the corresponding Dart game can recognize the player. A player identification code is not simply a numerical code that could be guessed by an imposter, but a combination of letters and numbers. However, such an embodiment is not preferred because it does not provide the convenience and advantages available with the player cards 60. For example, player cards 60 can store player data, a feature not available where players simply key in their corresponding identification code.

According to the preferred embodiment, each player is provided with a player card 60 identifying a corresponding player. The player card 60 may contain additional information such as available game credits, game restrictions or game settings and player scores. This information is transmitted to the respective electronic dart game during play and is later uploaded to the CCD 10 for data recording. Similarly, new player data and game statistics may be uploaded to a player card 60.

The player cards 60 allow dart league or competition players to participate from various remote locations because the player card readers 45 recognize each player by his or her player card 60. All game statistics and player data are later uploaded to the CCD 10. As a result, a player can have his or her player card 60 updated by an electronic dart game at another remote location, which dart game has a player card reader 45 and is connected to the CCD 10 via the transmission link 20.

If no broadcast link 20 or main dart game 30 is available, game statistics and player data may be collected by a liaison officer or officers using player cards 60 as operator cards. In such an arrangement, the liaison officers special player cards 60 which are recognized by the electronic dart games 30 or 50 as operator cards, with accumulated game statistics and player data being offloaded onto the operator cards which are physically transported to the location of the CCD 10 to be read. Although this arrangement is not as convenient as the preferred embodiment illustrated, it provides an effective alternative when necessary.

Players register for a dart league or competition by entering the information at the CCD 10 location. By registering at the CCD 10 location, the player's name can also be entered such that the CCD 10 links the identification code of the player card 60 to the person's name. It may be possible to register players at the remote locations, but personal information corresponding to the issued player card 60 must be entered later at the CCD 10. Of course, an input device for entering player information at the remote locations can be invented. In this regard, the electronic game can even use the Arachnid, Inc. Spider Writer input technology as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,824,121 to Beal et al. to enter personal information about the players.

After all players have been registered, the computer of the CCD 10 forms teams in pairs, with the information on the main dart game 30 being downloaded over the communication link 20 to be displayed on the portable display 40. The portable display 40 may be some type of video display. A preferred embodiment of the portable display 40 is shown in Fig. 2. The portable display 40 may consist of a single terminal or an array of terminals 42 housed vertically in a portable, rugged housing. The display 40 stores and displays information without continuous updating, and provides a pleasing display accessible to a large number of players. Multiple terminal stations 42 are a preferred embodiment of the portable display device 40 because this embodiment allows different images to be displayed simultaneously on each terminal station, or one large image to be displayed on the plurality of terminal stations located close to each other.

The paired teams play against each other on any of the electronic dart games connected to the CCD 10. The main dart games 30 and the sub-dart games 50 include visible displays to provide the players with instructions, game points, and the like. Electronic dart games similar to those disclosed in Tillery et al. (Patent No. 4,793,618) are used as sub-games 50, but the sub-dart games 50 include the player card readers 45 and also have means for interfacing with a main game 30.

After participating players enter their player cards 60 into the corresponding dart game, each of the sub-games 50 and the main dart game 30 continuously display the players' names, the players' running scores and information to teach the players during a game. The only thing the players have to do is focus their minds on the game and throw their darts.

At the end of each game, the corresponding sub-dart game 50 feeds the results of the game to the main dart game 30. Participating players also feed their player cards 60 into the corresponding player card reader 45 at the end of each game to have their player cards 60 updated. The main dart game 30 stores the results in memory and then displays the results of each game on the portable display device 40. The portable display device 40 continuously displays the results. of all games, updating the display each time new data is received. This process is repeated for each game until the end of the game during that specific period (e.g. when a pub hosting that competition closes).

At a specified time, such as after play ends for that day, the CCD 10 polls the main dart game 30 at each location and uploads the statistical data from each main dart game 30 to the CCD 10. After the CCD 10 has collected all of the statistical data from each main dart game 30, the CCD 10 calculates the current scores of all of the games and then uploads this information to each of the main dart games 30. The current scores can be displayed on the dart games at the remote location or on a portable display device 40 where it is used. In this way, the players at each remote location know the periodic scores of the players at other remote locations. The players at each remote location are also informed of the current scores of all of the players at their designated location.

The CCD 10 can be programmed to poll any of the main dart games 30 during non-play hours. This period of time typically occurs when a facility hosting the dart league or competition is closed. The CCD 10 can poll the main dart games 30 during non-play hours to ensure that the transmission of statistical data does not interfere with the ability of a facility hosting the dart league or competition to use its own telephone lines. Furthermore, since the present invention is designed to poll the main dart games 30 during non-play hours, the present invention does not require the use of dedicated telephone lines.

Figures 3a-3d are flow charts illustrating an example of a method for controlling the main dart game 30. Figures 3e and 39 further illustrate a brief summary of an example of a program for controlling the main dart game 30.

Similarly, Figs. 4a-4c are flow charts of a method for controlling ordinary dart games 50. Fig. 4d is a brief summary of a program routine for controlling ordinary dart games 50.

Figures 5a-5d illustrate one possible data dictionary that can be used to communicate data between the CCD 10 and the remote master games 30 and the regular games 50. It should be understood that the routines illustrated in Figures 3-5 are only examples and are not stated or intended to be the only possible control routines that can be successfully used with the present invention.

For use in a competition, the registration is at a central location. An attendant assigns a unique player card 60 to each player and then enters the players' names and addresses into the CCD 10. The CCD 10 then correlates each unique player card 60 with its designated player. After all registrations have been entered, the CCD 10 makes the competition lists in a size required depending on the number of players involved. The player names are randomly arranged on the lists. The "lists" are then displayed by downloading the information over the communication link 20 to the main dart games 30, which transmit the data to the portable display devices 40 so that the players can see when they are playing and on which dart game (either a main game 30 or a regular game 50).

A player goes to the designated machine and enters his player card 60 into the appropriate player card reader 45, as does his opponent. Each eligible league player carries a player card 60 which allows that person to enter information into the dart game. For example, the information may be: 1) names of up to 4 team members, 2) the number of games to be played, 3) the type of game to be played, and 4) the throwing order of the games up to 30 games. Other information necessary for a league game may also be entered. The game is played, after which the results are transmitted to the main game 30 (if it was a side game 50) which transmits to the CCD 10 via the transmission link 20. The CCD 10 receives the results, learns which player is the winner and which is the loser, and places the winner in a new position on the lists and the loser in his new position unless he is now eliminated from the competition. The lists on the portable displays 40 are then updated via the communication link 20 to the main games 30 and the portable displays 40 so that the players still participating in the competition can quickly determine which game is their next competition game to be played. This continues until there is only one player remaining who is the winner of the competition.

According to one aspect of the present invention, each remote electronic dart game has a control system arranged to load new control programming received from the CCD 10. This arrangement allows new game programming and control programming to be loaded into the remote dart games without the assistance of a communications operator. The loading of new programs into electronic games located at remote locations is well known. Such loading technology is disclosed, for example, in US Patent No. 4,335,809 to Wain. Such a method allows the Programming of remote electronic dart games can be changed quickly, conveniently and cost effectively should the need arise. As an alternative, the player card 60 (operator card) can be used to set up the electronic dart games. For example, a dart game is set up manually and the set up commands are downloaded to the operator card 60. Another dart game can be set up later by simply uploading the set up commands from the operator card 60 to the dart game to be set up.

Another feature of the present invention allows a player to obtain a hard copy printout of his statistics. The CCD 10 stores all statistical data uploaded to the CCD 10 from each of the remote locations, including the individual games of the players. Each electronic dart game 30 and 50 may include a printer 65 that allows a player to obtain a hard copy of his statistics after his personal player card 60 is entered and a printout is requested. The printer 65 may be internal or external to the dart game 30 or 50. If the player desires summary information or information not available at the location, then that information may be uploaded to that particular location during the next polling period after the CCD 10 downloads the requested statistical data to the designated remote location. In this way, a player can obtain a hard copy printout of his statistics from any remote location having an electronic dart game 30 or 50 connected to the CCD 10.

Claims (29)

1. A method of conducting dart league games or tournaments using a plurality of electronic dart games, each dart game having means for receiving, storing and transmitting data, said method further using a central control device (CCD) having means for processing, inputting, storing and outputting data, the method comprising the steps of: Connecting the plurality of electronic dart games to the central control device via a communication means; Entering player data into the central control device via the input device; and bidirectional communication between the central control device and the plurality of electronic dart games via the communication medium. 2. The method of conducting dart league games or tournaments as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of electronic dart games are located at one or more locations remote from the central controller. 3. The method of conducting dart league games or tournaments as set forth in claim 2, wherein each dart game further comprises means for data display, said method further comprising the steps of: Automatically recording, on a game-by-game basis, by each player, via the game storage device, the impact of a dart thrown by a player upon a dartboard of the dart game of said respective player; Calculating a score for each player resulting from a dart thrown from a mirror hitting a corresponding player's dartboard; Displaying the current scores at each location of each player participating at that location; and Querying each remote location by the central control device through the communication means at a predetermined time to load data from each remote location and process the data. 4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the steps of: providing each player with a player card identifying a corresponding player and storing player data and game statistics; Entering player data and game statistics from the player card into the storage device of the electronic dart game via the receiving device of the electronic dart game; Storing game statistics and player data in the storage device of the electronic dart game; and Transferring game statistics and player data to the player card via the transfer device. 5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein manual transport of the player cards provides the communication means for bidirectional communication. 6. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the communication means is provided by electrical wires that enable bidirectional communication between the central controller and the plurality of electronic dart games. 7. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the plurality of electronic dart games are located at one or more locations remote from the central control facility and the means of communication is provided by telephone lines. 8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein each dart game further comprises means for displaying data, said method further comprising the steps of: Automatically recording, on a game-by-game basis, by each player, via the game storage device, the impact of a dart thrown by a player upon a dartboard of the dart game of said respective player; Calculating a score for each player resulting from a dart thrown from a mirror hitting a corresponding player's dartboard; Displaying the current scores at each location of each player participating at that location; and Polling each remote location by the central control device through the transmission device at a predetermined time to load data from each remote location and process the data. 9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the step of providing each player with a player card identifying the player and storing player data and game statistics, and wherein the means of communication is manual transport of the player cards. 10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the communication means is provided by electrical wires that enable bidirectional communication between the central controller and the plurality of electronic dart games. 11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of electronic dart games are located at one or more locations remote from the central control facility and the means of communication is provided by telephone lines. 12. The method of conducting dart league games or tournaments as set forth in claim 2, said method further comprising the step of outputting current data relating to player score, player statistics and team score from the central control device to each remote location via the communication means. 13. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein said method further comprises the step of storing current data relating to player status, player statistics and team status of the central control facility to any remote location via the communication medium. 14. A system for conducting dart league games and tournaments in which players can participate at a variety of remote locations, which in combination a central control device for calculating league game or tournament statistics from received player data and game statistics, wherein the central control device (CCD) includes means for processing, storing, inputting and outputting data; a plurality of remotely located electronic dart games, wherein each dart game includes means for receiving, storing and transmitting data to and from the dart game; and a communication means connecting the plurality of remotely located electronic dart games to the central control means and enabling bidirectional communication between the central control means and the plurality of remotely located electronic dart games, wherein the receiving and transmitting means of the dart games and the input and output means of the CCD are interfaced with the communication means. 15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein said system further comprises: a plurality of player cards for players participating in the league game or tournament, which are provided by the receiving and transmitting device of the electronic Dart games are accepted in which the player cards store player data and game statistics. 16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein player data and game statistics are communicated bidirectionally between the central controller and the electronic games using the player cards as the means of communication. 17. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the communication means is provided by telephone lines. 18. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the player cards are contactless integrated circuit (IC) cards. 19. The system as recited in claim 15, further comprising: means for automatically recording, by each player, play by play, by means of the game storage means, the impact of a dart thrown by a player upon a dartboard of the dart game of said respective player; means for calculating a score for each player resulting from a dart thrown by a player striking a corresponding dartboard of the player; means for displaying the current scores at each location of all players and the current scores of each player participating at that location; and means for polling each remote location by the central control device at a predetermined time to load all the results of the game from each remote location and to analyze the results 20. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the central controller polls each of the remote electronic dart games at a predetermined time, statistical data from each remote location relating to the game is uploaded to the central controller and received, the central controller calculates the current score of each player, and then the central controller downloads the current score of each player to each remote location. 21. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein a master dart game is located at each remote location, and the central controller at each remote location only interfaces with the master dart game located at each remote location, and all non-master dart games at each remote location are individually connected to the master dart game, whereby the master dart game interfaces with each non-master dart game and uploads data to the master dart game, which in turn uploads the data to the central controller when the master dart game is interrogated by the central controller. 22. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein the central control means polls each of the remote locations during the closing times of the facilities hosting a dart league game or tournament, thereby enabling transmission of statistical data about the Telephone lines do not interfere with the establishment's use of their telephone lines. 23. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein remote dart games include means for loading and executing new game programs downloaded from the central controller. 24. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein information relating to game statistics and player data is stored in the central controller, and the information can be retrieved by making a request to one of the remote electronic dart games to retrieve stored information from the central controller. 25. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein each electric dart game further comprises: a facility for printing a hard copy printout of player data and match statistics. 26. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein the communication means is provided by electrical wires that enable bidirectional communication between the central controller and the plurality of electronic dart games. 27. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein the plurality of electronic dart games are located at one or more locations remote from the central control facility and the means of communication is provided by telephone lines. 28. In an electronic dart game device, particularly for use in dart league games or tournaments, the combination comprising: an electronic input device for receiving player data and information on the pairing of league or tournament players from at least one external source and game statistics; a storage device in the dart game device for storing the external data and game statistics generated in the dart game; and an output device for transmitting player data and game statistics to a location outside the dart game. 29. The electronic dart game device as recited in claim 28, further comprising: a printer electronically connected to the dart game machine to provide a hard copy printout of the game statistics and player data.