GB2436806A

GB2436806A - Electronic dartboard with induction coils.

Info

Publication number: GB2436806A
Application number: GB0624349A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chih-Hao Yiu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-03
Filing date: 2006-12-06
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-06
Also published as: US20070228659A1; GB2436806B; CN101050935A; GB0624349D0; DE102006057962A1

Abstract

An electronic dartboard with induction coils 40 is provided for use with magnetic darts. The coil induction system comprises a plurality of induction loops electrically connected to an electronic scoring circuit 70 and a comparison circuit 50. When the dart lands on the dartboard, one of the induction loops will produce a positive induction signal, and a neighboring induction loop will produce a negative induction signal, and then the comparison circuit will inform the electronic scoring circuit to based on the scoring area in which the dart lands. The dartboard is equally divided into a plurality of scoring areas, each scoring area includes at least one induction loop. All the induction loops wind in the same direction and are positioned in the dartboard. Therefore, the present invention can prevent the problem of wrong scoring caused by the dart synchronously cutting several induction loops, and can improve the scoring accuracy.

Description

2436806

UNIDIRECTIONAL COIL INDUCTION SYSTEM FOR A DARTBOARD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the arrangement of magnetic induction coils, 5 and more particularly to a verification and scoring system for a dartboard used to record score automatically by using induction coils, which can prevent misjudgment and improve the scoring accuracy.

Description of the Prior Art

Dart game is one of the major sports and recreation activities, therefore, the 10 demand for improving the technology of dart products grows increasingly. To cope with the demand for innovation and change, various target products also need to be improved in terms of accuracy, convenience and quality. And induction-scoring has iong become an important selling point that the dartboard manufactures are competing for, and such a scoring function has already been used in international 15 dart competitions. Therefore, finding an electronic dartboard scoring equipment to better meet the users' requirement has become an important issue for the manufacturers.

Currently, the magnetic induction type electronic dartboard sold on the market has been improved in many aspects, however, most of the magnetic induction type 20 electronic dartboards are provided with permanent magnetic dart or electrical induction dart. Both of the abovementioned two dartboards should be provided with induction coils around the respective scoring areas, and the induction coils in the scoring area to which the magnetic dart lands serve to output the induction signals to

create a score. An invention disclosed by TW Pat. No. 00558628 (apparatus and method for magnetizing a dart) is shown in Fig. 1.

In which, induction coils 11 are wound around the scoring area 10 and are connected to a scoring device, at the instant a magnetic dart hits the scoring area 10, 5 the induction coils 11 in the scoring area to which the dart lands will output an induction signal to the scoring device, so as to enable the scoring device to execute calculation and display based on the induction signal. Although this conventional scoring system can create and record a score after the dart lands on the electronic dartboard, it still has the problem as follows:

10 The induction coils 11 don't have the function of preventing the neighboring induction, if the magnetic dart hits the edge of the scoring area, the neighboring induction coils 11 will cut the lines of magnetic force of the magnetic dart, causing misjudgment and wrong scoring.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described 15 disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard capable of preventing misjudgment and providing accurate scoring operation.

20 To achieve the abovementioned objective, a unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard in accordance with the present invention comprises: a plurality of induction loops electrically connected to an electronic scoring circuit and a comparison circuit that are disposed on a dartboard. The dartboard is equally

divided into a plurality of scoring areas, each scoring area includes at least one induction loop. All the induction loops wind in the same direction and are positioned in the dartboard. When the dart lands on the dartboard, one of the induction loops will produce a positive induction signal, and a neighboring induction loop will 5 produce a negative induction signal, and then the comparison circuit will inform the electronic scoring circuit to score after determining the induction loop of the scoring area in which the dart lands. Therefore, the present invention can prevent the problem of wrong scoring when the dart synchronously cut several induction loops, and can improve the scoring accuracy.

10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an illustrative view of showing a conventional induction system for a dartboard;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard in accordance with the present invention;

15 Fig. 3 is an illustrative view of the coils in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 4 is an operational view in accordance with the present invention of showing the coils when the dart is landing; and

Fig. 5 is a flow chart of showing the scoring operation in accordance with the 20 present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be more clear from the following description when viewed together with the accompanying drawings, which show, for purpose of

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illustrations only, the preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

Please refer to Figs. 2, 3 and 5, which are an exploded view of the structure of the present invention, an illustrative view of the coils, and a flow chart of showing 5 the scoring operation, respectively, meanwhile, please refer to the following description of the embodiments of the present invention.

The present invention comprises a dartboard 20, a frame 30, induction loops 40, a comparison circuit 50, and an electronic scoring circuit 70, which are to be used with a magnetic dart 60 to create a scoring function. During landing, the 10 magnetic dart 60 will pass through the induction loops 40. The dartboard 20, the frame 30, and the dart 60 are not the key point of the present invention but the cooperative elements of the preferred embodiment.

The dartboard 20 serves as a target for the magnetic dart 60. In the front surface of the dartboard 20 are formed grooves 21 that cross one another, and at the 15 position where the grooves 21 meet is formed a through hole that penetrates from the front surface to the rear surface of the dartboard 20. The grooves 21 are radially arranged to separate the dartboard 20 equally into a plurality of fan-shaped scoring areas 22 and a central circular scoring area 22.

The frame 30 is arranged to form a net-shaped frame according to the 20 arrangement of the scoring areas 22 and is disposed in the grooves 21 of the dartboard 20. In the top surface of the frame 30 are formed receiving grooves (not shown).

Each of the induction loops 40 has a first signal end 41 and a second signal

> end 42 and winds around the respective scoring areas 22. The respective induction loops 40 winds from the first signal ends 41 to the second signal end 42, and all the induction loops 40 wind in the same direction and are positioned in the receiving grooves of the frame 30. The induction loop 40 can produce an effect of magnetic 5 line cutting during the landing of the magnetic dart, and then output a positive induction signal A. Meanwhile, the induction loop 40 neighboring the induction loop 40 producing the positive induction signal A will produce a negative induction signal B.

The comparison circuit 50 is disposed on the dartboard 20 and electrically 10 connected to the respective induction loops 40 for receiving the positive induction signal A and the negative induction signal B from the respective induction loops 40. And then, by analyzing the positive induction signal A and negative induction signal B, the comparison circuit 50 can determine the unique induction loop 40 in which the dart lands.

15 The electronic scoring circuit 70 is disposed on the dartboard 20 and is connected to the comparison circuit 50. And the electronic scoring unit 70 figures out the score of the respective scoring areas 22 of the dartboard 20 based on the combined signal of the comparison circuit 50.

For a better understanding of the embodiment, its operation and function, 20 reference should be made to Figs. 4 and 5.

The respective induction loops 40 winds around the respective scoring areas 22 of the dartboard 20 from the first signal end 41 to the second signal end 42. The respective induction loops 40 winds in the same direction and is positioned on the

dartboard 20. The comparison circuit 50 is connected to the respective induction loops 40 for receiving the positive induction signal A and the negative induction signal B from the induction loops 40. And then the comparison circuit 50 can determine the unique induction loop 40 in which the dart lands based on the positive 5 induction signal A and the negative induction signal B. And finally, the electronic scoring unit 70 figures out the score of the respective scoring areas 22 of the dartboard 20 based on the combined signal of the comparison circuit 50.

When the dart lands on the unique induction loop 40, the magnetic dart 60 will cut the lines of magnetic force of the induction loop at the instant it hits the 10 dartboard. The induction loop will produce a forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart 60 hits the lines of magnetic force at a high speed. And when the dart decelerates, the induction loop will produce a backward distorted wave and will output a positive induction signal A. The positive induction signal A creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal that are to be transmitted 15 from the first signal end 41 to the second signal end 42. Another induction loop 40 neighboring the induction loop 40 that generates the positive induction signal A will produce a negative induction signal B, and the negative induction signal B creates a backward distorted signal and a forward distorted signal. The negative induction signal B is outputted from the second end 42 to the first end 41, and the negative 20 induction signal B prevents the neighboring induction loop 40 from being affected by the magnetic dart 60.

Therefore, the comparison circuit 50 can determine the unique induction loop 40 in which the dart lands based on the positive induction signal A and the negative

induction signal B, thus preventing the occurrence of misjudgment and wrong scoring.

It is to be noted that the induction loops on the dartboard can be arranged in a staggered manner according to design (two staggered induction loops wind around a 5 predetermined scoring area). The two staggered induction loops will produce positive induction signals at the time the dart lands on the dartboard, and the induction loops neighboring the two staggered induction loops will produce negative induction signals. Further, after the comparison circuit determines the induction loop of the scoring area in which the dart lands, it can inform the electronic scoring unit 10 to score by wireless means.

To summarize, the innovative design of the present invention is that the dartboard is provided with a plurality of induction loops, an electronic scoring circuit, and a comparison circuit. The dartboard is equally divided into a plurality of scoring areas, and each scoring area is provided with an induction loop. All the induction 15 loops wind in the dartboard and cooperate with the electronic scoring circuit to record the score of the respective scoring areas. When a dart lands on the dartboard, the induction loop around the scoring area in which the dart lands will produce a positive induction signal, and the neighboring induction loop will produce a negative induction signal, and then the comparison circuit will inform the electronic scoring 20 circuit to calculate the score after determining the induction loop of the scoring area in which the dart lands. Therefore, the present invention can prevent the problem of wrong scoring caused by the dart synchronously cutting several induction loops, and can improve the scoring accuracy.

While we have shown and described various embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

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Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard, comprising: a dart, a dartboard, a frame, a plurality of induction loops, an electronic scoring circuit, the dartboard and the frame being divided into a plurality of scoring areas, each scoring area being provided with at least one induction loop, characterized in that:

the induction loops wind in the same direction and are positioned in the dartboard;

a comparison circuit is electrically connected to the respective induction loops and the electronic scoring circuit, when the dart lands on the dartboard, one of the induction loops will produce a positive induction signal, and a neighboring induction loop will produce a negative induction signal, and then the comparison circuit will inform the electronic scoring circuit to score after determining the induction loop of the scoring area in which the dart lands.

2. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in claim

1, wherein the magnetic dart will pass through the induction loops during landing.

3. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in claim

2, wherein the induction loops on the dartboard are arranged in a staggered manner, so that the scoring area with the staggered induction loops will sense two positive induction signals.

4. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in claim 2, wherein the comparison circuit will inform the electronic scoring unit to score by wireless means after determining the induction loop of the scoring area in which the dart lands.

5. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the dartboard serves as a target for the dart, in a front surface of the dartboard are formed grooves that cross one another, and at each position where the grooves 5 meet is formed a through hole that penetrates from the front surface to a rear surface of the dartboard, the grooves are radially arranged to separate the dartboard equally into a plurality of fan-shaped scoring areas and a central circular scoring area;

the frame is arranged to form a net-shaped structure according to the arrangement of the scoring areas, and the frame is received in the groove of the 10 dartboard;

each of the induction loops has a first signal end and a second signal end and winds around the respective scoring areas, the respective induction loops winds from the first signal ends to the second signal end, and the induction loops wind in the same direction and are positioned in receiving grooves of the frame; 15 the comparison circuit is disposed on the dartboard and is connected to the respective induction loops;

the electronic scoring circuit is disposed on the dartboard and is connected to the comparison circuit and serves to figure out the score of the respective scoring areas of the dartboard based on combined signal of the comparison circuit. 20 6. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in claim

2, wherein:

the dartboard serves as a target for the dart, in a front surface of the dartboard are formed grooves that cross one another, and at each position where the grooves

meet is formed a through hole that penetrates from the front surface to a rear surface of the dartboard, the grooves are radially arranged to separate the dartboard equally into a plurality of fan-shaped scoring areas and a central circular scoring area;

the frame is arranged to form a net-shaped structure according to the 5 arrangement of the scoring areas, and the frame is received in the groove of the dartboard;

each of the induction loops has a first signal end and a second signal end and winds around the respective scoring areas, the respective induction loops winds from the first signal ends to the second signal end, and the induction loops wind in the 10 same direction and are positioned in receiving grooves of the frame;

the comparison circuit is disposed on the dartboard and is connected to the respective induction loops;

the electronic scoring circuit is disposed on the dartboard and is connected to the comparison circuit and serves to figure out the score of the respective scoring 15 areas of the dartboard based on combined signal of the comparison circuit.

7. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

the dartboard serves as a target for the dart, in a front surface of the dartboard are formed grooves that cross one another, and at each position where the grooves 20 meet is formed a through hole that penetrates from the front surface to a rear surface of the dartboard, the grooves are radially arranged to separate the dartboard equally into a plurality of fan-shaped scoring areas and a central circular scoring area;

the frame is arranged to form a net-shaped structure according to the li

arrangement of the scoring areas, and the frame is received in the groove of the dartboard;

each of the induction loops has a first signal end and a second signal end and winds around the respective scoring areas, the respective induction loops winds from 5 the first signal ends to the second signal end, and the induction loops wind in the same direction and are positioned in receiving grooves of the frame;

the comparison circuit is disposed on the dartboard and is connected to the respective induction loops;

the electronic scoring circuit is disposed on the dartboard and is connected to 10 the comparison circuit and serves to figure out the score of the respective scoring areas of the dartboard based on combined signal of the comparison circuit.

8. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

the dartboard serves as a target for the dart, in a front surface of the dartboard 15 are formed grooves that cross one another, and at each position where the grooves meet is formed a through hole that penetrates from the front surface to a rear surface of the dartboard, the grooves are radially arranged to separate the dartboard equally into a plurality of fan-shaped scoring areas and a central circular scoring area;

the frame is arranged to form a net-shaped structure according to the 20 arrangement of the scoring areas, and the frame is received in the groove of the dartboard;

each of the induction loops has a first signal end and a second signal end and winds around the respective scoring areas, the respective induction loops winds from

the first signal ends to the second signal end, and the induction loops wind in the same direction and are positioned in receiving grooves of the frame;

the comparison circuit is disposed on the dartboard and is connected to the respective induction loops;

5 the electronic scoring circuit is disposed on the dartboard and is connected to the comparison circuit and serves to figure out the score of the respective scoring areas of the dartboard based on combined signal of the comparison circuit.

9. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in claim 1, wherein the induction loops will produce a forward distorted wave when the

10 magnetic dart hits lines of magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart decelerates, the induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal, and neighboring induction loops will produce a negative induction signal, and the negative induction signal creates a

15 backward distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.

10. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in claim 2, wherein the induction loops will produce a forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart hits lines of magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart decelerates, the induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will

20 output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal, and neighboring induction loops will produce a negative induction signal, and the negative induction signal creates a backward distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.

11. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in claim 3, wherein the induction loops will produce a forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart hits lines of magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart decelerates, the induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will

5 output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal, and neighboring induction loops will produce a negative induction signal, and the negative induction signal creates a backward distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.

12. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in 10 claim 4, wherein the induction loops will produce a forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart hits lines of magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart decelerates, the induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal, and neighboring induction loops 15 will produce a negative induction signal, and the negative induction signal creates a backward distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.

13. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in claim 5, wherein the induction loops will produce a forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart hits lines of magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart

20 decelerates, the induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal, and neighboring induction loops will produce a negative induction signal, and the negative induction signal creates a

backward distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.

14. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in claim 6, wherein the induction loops will produce a forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart hits lines of magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart 5 decelerates, the induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal, and neighboring induction loops will produce a negative induction signal, and the negative induction signal creates a backward distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.

10 15. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in claim 7, wherein the induction loops will produce a forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart hits lines of magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart decelerates, the induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal creates a forward 15 distorted signal and a backward distorted signal, and neighboring induction loops will produce a negative induction signal, and the negative induction signal creates a backward distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.

16. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as claimed in claim 8, wherein the induction loops will produce a forward distorted wave when the 20 magnetic dart hits lines of magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart decelerates, the induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal, and neighboring induction loops

will produce a negative induction signal, and the negative induction signal creates a backward distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.

17. A unidirectional coil induction system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 2 to 5 of the accompanying 5 drawings.

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