JP2627678B2 - Bowling statistics display - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally to a central boring controller.
More specifically, the operation of the pin setting machine is automatically controlled under the control of the bowling game program, so that the player can play a plurality of different bowling games and add an educational function to the bowling game. Related to automatic boring automatic central control unit.

(Prior Art, Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The boring central controller is a system that requires manual setting of ten pins on a lane, US Pat. No. 2,949,300 to Huck et.al. Using the automatic pinning device disclosed in US Pat.
venor et. al.), U.S. Pat. No. 3,582,071.

Such conventional boring central controllers often include a plurality of pairs of boring lanes, each lane often including an automatic pinning machine. This automatic pin setting machine is operable to automatically control the pin setting cycle during a bowling game, especially under automatic control,
The pin setting at the start of each frame was to set 10 pins on the deck. Players were allowed to defeat all pins with a maximum of two ball throws. One frame ends when all the pins are knocked down or when two ball throws are completed, whichever occurs first. One game is composed of such 10 frames.

A conventional automatic recording console is attached to both pin setting machines of a lane pair, automatically processes pin fall information of two lanes, records bowler's score (score), console monitor and overhead CRT display panel It was automatically displayed above. Appropriate interconnection is provided between the recording console and the pin setting machine so that the pin fall information is transmitted from the detecting device attached to the pin setting machine to the recording console.

To apply such a conventional automatic pin setting machine to actual boring specifications, a pin setting selection control device such as that disclosed in Rogers U.S. Pat. Bowlers can now manually select which pins to set. With such a device, the bowler can selectively perform one or two ball throws for pin selection and fall. In such a device, the pin setting can be operated only in response to a manual request from the bowler.

One known automatic pin setting machine includes a hard wire control circuit designed to perform the operation of a normal ten pin bowling game or to provide actual bowling. This control circuit could not be operated to selectively execute various pin settings during the execution of the bowling game. Therefore, this type of automatic pin setting machine has a limited ability to change the operation of a particular bowling game.

Previous bowling central controllers also included a central control console that was electrically correlated with the recording console. The primary function of this general control console was to provide administrative control over the operation of the automatic pinning machine and the recording console. For example, a conventional general control console is used to perform video recording display from each recording console by adding current lane score information, and to perform recording correction on a specific recording console. In such a recording correction, it is necessary to stop boring in a specific lane until the recording correction is completed and sent back to the recording console. The general control console also displays a preselected recording console message, transmits lane score information from one recording console to another recording console, and assigns a pair of lane scores to a selected number of overheads of the device. Includes devices that provide a tournament display by displaying on a CRT. In addition, the integrated control console provides activity and error recording for the operation of the device.

(Means for Solving the Problems) According to one aspect of the present invention, the bowling lane mechanism automatically controls the operation of a pin setting machine during the execution of a game to control the operation of the pin setting machine other than the predetermined number of bowling pins. It is operable to automatically set the boring pins that make up the number to a preselected array.

The bowling central control mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention automatically controls the operation of the bowling game so that any bowling game can use no more than 10 pins per frame in any bowling game. This mechanism is used in one bowling lane
Includes a pin setting machine that sets 10 or less boring pins. The pin setting machine controls the pin setting machine to set the boring pins in a preselected arrangement so that any preselected arrangement can include up to 10 boring pins. Control means are provided. The control means is provided with game control means for executing a bowling game operation, and the game control means includes means for automatically presetting a pin arrangement to be set during execution of the bowling game.

More specifically, a central boring control mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention includes an operable automatic pin setting machine that sets no more than 10 pins in a boring lane under the control of a programmed pin setting controller. . This pin setting control device is electrically connected to the game control device.
The game control device includes a central processing unit and a memory, the central processing unit being operable to execute a bowling game according to a bowling game program stored in the memory. The game control device,
It is electrically connected to the video display device and displays bowler score information as determined by the pin detection means attached to the pin setting control device. A bowler input position is also connected to the game control device for inputting bowler information. The game control program can manage the pin setting control device periodically during the game competition and set the pins in a pre-selected arrangement freely, and according to the logic of the specific game during the competition, the pin arrangement of 10 or less Is configured.

Another feature of the present invention is that the controller of the game is operable to play any one of a plurality of different bowling games. It also includes means for selecting which of the bowling games will be played at a predetermined time with the game control device.

Yet another feature of the invention is that the game controller automatically determines the score of the bowling game based on the scoring algorithm of the selected bowling game during the competition.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a central boring control mechanism is provided which is operable to supply any one of a plurality of different bowling game programs from the central control terminal to the game control device.

More specifically, the central boring control mechanism includes a plurality of boring lanes and electrically controlled pin setting means for each lane. Also, a plurality of game control devices are provided, each of which is electrically connected to one or more pin setting means. Each game control device:
It includes a central processing unit, display means, an operator input position, and a memory for storing a game control program. The central control terminal device includes a programmed central processing unit connected to a memory that stores one or more game control programs. The processing device of the general control terminal device is provided with a transmission means for electrically connecting to each processing device of the game control device. The general control terminal device transmits one of the game control programs stored in the memory via the transmission means so that the game control device operates the pin setting machine connected thereto to play a certain game. These means are included in the transmission means and are electrically connected.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a central boring control mechanism includes a central control terminal having an input terminal connected thereto, and is operatively coupled to each game control device in direct association. ing.

More specifically, the central boring control mechanism includes a plurality of bowling lanes, each of which includes a pin setting means associated therewith. The plurality of game control devices each connected to one or more pin setting means include a central processing unit having a display means and bowler input means mounted thereon so that the bowler correlates with game control device operation. . The general control terminal includes a central processing unit equipped with display means and an operator input terminal. The central processing unit of the general control terminal is provided with a transmission means for electrically connecting each game control device to the central processing unit. Switch means are mounted on the game control device and the display means, and the general input terminal and the display means are selectively connected to a selected one of the game control devices, and the control terminal input means is It is adapted to directly correlate with the bowling game of the selected game controller.

Yet another feature of the present invention is that the bowling game can continue to be played even after being enabled to directly correlate with the operation of the selected bowling lane of the general control input terminal.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the central boring control mechanism is operable to transmit video display signals from a plurality of video display sources to any one of the plurality of video display terminals via a transmission network. It includes general control means for controlling.

Broadly, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, it is disclosed herein that the general control terminal for operating the video display mechanism includes means for issuing a plurality of video display signals to display each dynamic video display. I have. A plurality of video display terminals remotely installed from the integrated control terminal operably display a dynamic video display in accordance with a video signal received. Means for selecting one of the dynamic video displays and displaying it on one of the display terminals is also included. A video transmission network is mounted on the general control terminal, the selection means, and the display terminal.
The central control terminal includes means for commanding the transmitting means in response to the selecting means and transmitting a video signal indicative of the selected one of the displays to the network. The switch means mounted on the transmission network is adapted to switch the transmission network so that one of the display terminals receives the selected transmission video signal and displays the selected video display.

More specifically, the video display mechanism includes memory means for data storage for displaying a plurality of dynamic video displays. Such memory means may include a video disk. For example, a video source, such as a disc player, converts the data on the memory means into a video signal representing it. The central control terminal is electrically connected to the video source means and includes instructions for instructing the video source to emit a display signal indicative of the selected dynamic video display. One or more video switches are connected to the video source using a plurality of video transmission lines. Each switch is also connected to one or more video display monitors. Operator input means is provided for selecting a video display and displaying it on the selected video monitor. The video switch is connected to the central control terminal and selectively connects the video source to the video monitor so that the selected video monitor responds to a received video signal from the video source to select the selected video. It is operable so that the display can be displayed.

Another feature of this aspect according to the present invention is that a video display mechanism is used for the central boring control mechanism, and a plurality of automatic recording terminals are connected to the general control terminal. The plurality of video display terminals connected to each recording terminal are also connected to a video switch. This video
The switch can be operated under the command of the general control terminal, and can display a selected video display at each video display terminal of the boring central control mechanism.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the central boring control mechanism includes a plurality of bowling lane pairs and a recording controller, each lane pair being provided to include a score display means. The general control terminal includes central control means, display means and memory storage means. The general control terminal is connected to each recording device and transmits data between the recording devices. A plurality of display terminals are remotely located with respect to the general control terminal and the recording control device, and are connected to the transmitting means to display information representing data received from the transmitting means. A plurality of operator input means, one for each of the display terminals, are connected to the transmission means for transmitting requests to the general control terminal or the recording terminal. Switch means is connected to the transmission means, and transmits data from the transmission means to one of the display terminals in response to a request from a certain display terminal connected to the operator input means.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.

EXAMPLE A bowling game typically competes on a bowling lane that includes an automatic pinning machine operable to set ten pins in the lane at the start of the game. In a typical ten pin bowling game, each bowler is allowed two throws to defeat all the pins. Except for the three throws allowed in the tenth frame, two throws of the ball constitute one frame, and the completion of ten frames constitutes one game. The player's score is determined according to the number of pins defeated in each frame. The recording may manually count the number of pins defeated. In a central boring control system that includes an automatic recording mechanism, this score is automatically counted and displayed on a suitable display or printed using printing means.

The central boring control mechanism according to the present invention includes a device for playing a number of different bowling games using an automatic pin setting machine and an automatic recording mechanism, wherein each frame has more or less than two throws. And ten or fewer pins can be used, including all patterns that can be set by the pin setting machine. The bowling central control mechanism is also equipped with a correlation display mechanism and can be selectively displayed by dynamic video graphics on various system display monitors for training purposes and the like.

General Apparatus Configuration Referring to FIG. 1, a generalized block diagram shows an overall view of a central boring control mechanism (10) according to the present invention. This boring central control mechanism (10)
Encompasses multiple bowling lanes, with each bowling lane
Lanes include the usual approach (13). In particular, when all (N + 1) lanes are used, each lane is grouped as a pair. That is, lanes 1 and 2 form a lane pair, and lanes 3 and 4, lanes 5 and 6,... Finally, lanes N and (N + 1) form a lane pair.

The automatic pin setting machine (14) is organized for each lane. Two pin setting machines (14) for each lane pair are electrically connected to the lane pair control mechanism (16). This lane pair control mechanism (16) operates both pin setting machines (14),
The pins are set in a desired arrangement based on the bowling game being played, and the points are automatically counted. Also, a bowler input location (18) is connected to each lane pair control mechanism (16) and is used by the bowler to input information to be transmitted to the lane pair control mechanism (16). This bowler input position (1
8) is physically near the bowler's playing area (19),
It is located immediately adjacent to the relevant approach (13). Usually, this is the place where bowlers wait for their turn to throw, keep records, etc. Each overhead display monitor (20L, 20R) is attached to the left and right lanes of each lane pair, and displays scores and other information. In addition, the remote or resting place terminal (21) contains a display monitor (22) and an associated keyboard (24) and is electrically connected to the lane-to-control mechanism (16), while the bowling lane (21) For 12), it is located in a remote place. This remote terminal (21) provides non-competitors with general or specialized bowling related to bowling, as described in more detail below.
It may be used to provide game training or other information. Such a remote terminal (21) may be located anywhere in the bowling center, preferably including the recreation area (25). This recreation area (25) may be located at or below all of the lane pairs if desired, but each typically includes both a remote monitor (22) and a keyboard (24). Each resting place (25) is a place that is not as active as Bowra's playing area (19) in the sense that the person at this place is there for a variety of purposes, including bowling and non-boring purposes. It is. For example, people at the recreation area for bowling purposes may obtain game information, training information, or any video information indicating a game being played elsewhere in the bowling facility on the monitor (22). Also,
Other video information such as television and cable television programs can be displayed on this monitor (22). Still differently, this resting place (25) may be used solely for the purpose of releasing tension, ingesting food or beverage, talking, and the like.

Generally speaking, this recreation area (25) is farther away from the associated lane pair than the corresponding competition area (19). This is based on the essence of a number of intended uses as described above. At the same time, the rest area (25) is at least in the immediate vicinity of the relevant competition area (19),
Preferably, trainees at the recreation area (25) can easily go to the relevant competition location and start using that information in one or both lanes of the lane pair Often.

Often, but not necessarily, such a resting area (25) is located in a bowling facility that is easily accessible to the general audience, separated from the lane pair and adjacent to the competition area (19). It is not always possible.

In order for the rest area (25) to be used in such a way as to be associated with the central boring control mechanism according to the invention, an associated keyboard (24) suitable for its purpose is used.

The general control mechanism (26) uses a total communication line (2
At 7), it communicates with the lane pair control mechanism (16). The general control mechanism (26) is mainly arranged in the general control table of the boring center, that is, the MCD.
6) The bowling lane counting control is given together with the ability to transmit game information to 6). In addition, general control mechanism (26)
Communicates with the video / audio control mechanism (28) over the central office communication line or COM line (29). The video / audio control mechanism (28) is connected to each lane pair control mechanism (16) by a total video / audio distribution bus (30). The video / audio control mechanism (28)
Controls the transmission of video / audio information to the lane pair control mechanism (16) for continuous display on a monitor (20L, 20R, or 22) in response to a command from the general control mechanism (26).

The various means, components, circuits, etc. described above are used in the central boring control mechanism, including the left and right lanes of each lane pair and the remote or rest area (25). Accordingly, similar elements are indicated using the same reference numbers, and when correlated with the left lane, right lane or remote resting place (25) respectively, the suffix L, R or S
Is used. This subscript may be omitted in the specification for the sake of simplicity. This is especially true if it matches any of the similar means. Similarly, the overall control mechanism (26) includes means, components, circuits, and the like that are the same as those of the lane pair control mechanism (16). Although the overall control mechanism (26) does not show, for example, the left, right, and resting places (25), like the lane pair control device (16), similar subscripts are integrated with the lane pair control mechanism (16). Control mechanism (2
Used in the description of 6) to indicate identity.

Overall control / video control mechanism; In FIG. 2, the general control mechanism (26) and the video /
A more detailed block diagram of the audio control mechanism (28) is shown.

As described above, if the programmed supervising computer (32) is connected to the global COM line (27) and
It can communicate with up to four lane-to-lane control mechanisms (16), a total of 128 lanes of boring. According to a preferred embodiment according to the invention, up to 64 lane pair control mechanisms (16) are used. However, this COM
Line (27) can support up to 250 lane pair controls, as described in detail below. Peripherals connected to the supervising computer (32) include a league record service (or LRS) computer (34) and a modem (36). The league record service computer (34) provides the ability to transmit scoring information used to operate the bowling league. Also, a modem (36) allows a remotely located service device to diagnose and correct the problem of the central computer (32). A detailed description of the supervising computer (32) will be given later.

A plurality of RS232 type transmission interface devices (38);
Up to three bowler input positions (42) are connected to the headquarters COM line (29). This interface device (38) includes up to three keyboards (44), video switches (40), up to ten score sheets and / or coupon printers (46), and one DTS interface board (48). ) And associated multiple DTS cash registers (50) and up to seven video source means (52), such as a video disk or tape player, are electrically connected. The score sheet printer is used to print Bowler's score sheet in a graphic format. coupon·
Printers are used, for example, to make coupons or prize awards based on bowler performance. In this figure, a bowler has exceeded the pre-selected score,
Drinks have been awarded.

The video source means (52) transmits a composite video signal on a normal video transmission line (53) and an audio output signal on a normal audio line (54), respectively. A video line (53) for three video means (52) is connected to the SCORE IN terminal of the video switch (40). The video lines (53) of the remaining video sources (52) are video drivers (56)
Is connected to the input section. Also, the three SCORE OUT portions of the video switch (40) are connected to the inputs of the video driver (56) on the line (60). video·
The driver (56) is a global video / audio
It includes seven output sections connected to the video transmission line (61) of the bus. Four of the outputs of this video driver are also the four VIDEO INs of the video switch (40).
Section is also connected. The audio driver (62) includes seven inputs connected to a video source audio line (54). The audio driver (62) includes seven outputs connected to an audio transmission line (68) and a global video / audio bus (30).
Transmit audio information on top. Video Switch (4
0) includes three additional VIDEO IN sections connected to the score video transmission line (70) and part of the global video / audio bus (30).

The control computer (32) develops the RGB video signals on the video lines (58L, 58R, 58S) connected to the video switch (49). In addition, each RGB monitor (72L, 72L
R, 72S) on the video line (59L, 59R, 59S)
Connected to switch (40).

The supervising computer (32) controls the switching of the video switch (40) and the operation of the video source (52) in response to a request from the lane pair control mechanism (16), as will be described in more detail later. Assign the transmission of audio and video signals to the selected monitor (20L, 20R, 22 or 72) of the device.

Each monitor (72) is provided with a keyboard (44) and a remote bowler input position (42). This monitor (72)
May be used in combination with these to display information such as the state of any one or all lanes for a certain period of time. For example, the entire display panel indicates the status of the game currently being played on all lanes, and the keyboard inputs a command to flow game software from the general computer (32) to a certain lane pair control mechanism (16). Or to input a command to start, stop, or continue a game operation. The monitor (72) also displays the score information transmitted from the lane pair control mechanism (16), and is used to correct the score information. In particular, the keyboard (44) or bowler input location (42) may be used to enter correction data that can be sent back to a special lane pair control mechanism (16).

Lane-to-Control; Turning to FIG. 3, there is shown a more detailed block diagram of the lane-to-control mechanism shown in FIG.

The lane pair control mechanism (16) indicates that each lane pair is global.
The operation of the pin setting machine (14) is automatically controlled based on the command and software received from an operator input request made at the general computer (32) and bowler input position (18) on the COM line (27). Can operate. In particular, this lane pair control mechanism (16) has several different boring
The pin setting machine (14) is operated for each lane independently of competing in any one of the games. Although the lane pair control mechanism (16) is described herein to control two pin setting machines (14), the lane pair control mechanism (16) controls any number of pin setting machines (14). Can also be used.

Each lane pair control mechanism (16) has a video
Includes a video switch (73) similar to the switch (40). This video switch (73) is then connected to and controlled by a game and scoring controller (74), as described at the game maker, and has a global video transmission line (7 video outputs). 6
1) includes seven VIDEO IN sections connected in series.
Similarly, seven AUDIO I units connected in series to the AUDIO OUT section
The N section is connected to the global audio transmission line (68). Therefore, the video and audio signals from the video and audio drivers (56) and (62) of the central control desk are routed on each global video and audio line (61,68) to each lane pair represented by multiple points. To the video switch (73).
The score transmission line (70) is also connected to three SCORE IN and three SCORE OUT sections on the video switch (73). The scoring video transmission line (70) sends the display information from each lane pair control mechanism (16) to the supervising computer (32) to display on the monitor (72) and other lane pair control mechanisms in tournament bowling (16). Used for retransmission to

The global COM line (27) coming out of the control computer (32) is electrically connected to the game maker (74) of each lane pair control mechanism (16). The game maker (74) is a computing device similar to the general computer (32). The game maker (74) is hereinafter referred to as a game setter. It operates as a parent station (master station) on a game maker local COM line (75) connected to a pin setting controller (76) for two lane pair pin setting machines (14).
The game maker (74) and the game setter (76) both control the automatic operation of the pin setting machine (14) to control any of a plurality of different bowling games, as will be described in more detail below. One of the operations is performed to add record information of a specific game.

The game maker's local COM line (75) has an RS232 transmission interface circuit (7) connected to the bowler input position (18), ball orbiter (80) and remote keyboard (24).
8) Connected to. This ball track device (80)
When the ball runs on the lane, it tracks the path of the ball and gives the game maker (74) tracking data of the ball.

Remote monitor (22) attached to remote keyboard (24)
AUDIO OUT and VIDEO on the video switch (73)
It connects to the IN section and receives audio and video signals coming from it respectively. The additional VIDEO OUT coming from this video switch connects to the left and right lane overhead monitors (20L, 20R) via conventional video buffer circuits (82) if necessary and desired. This lane overhead monitor (20L, 2
0R) is used to display records and other information about the bowling game being played in the relevant lane. The remote monitor (22), in conjunction with its keyboard (24), is used for purpose training or information relating to a bowling game being played in either the associated left or right lane.

The game setter (76) receives an instruction from the game maker (74) and operates the automatic pin setting machine (14) based on the bowling game program. In particular, Game Setter (7
6) The pin setting machine (1) through the high voltage conversion circuit (84)
4) Connected to. Also, pin scanner (86),
Ball trigger sensor (88), foul detector (9
2), player control position (93) and common box (9
6) is also connected to this game setter (76). The pin scanner (86) is a known type of optical scanner, and detects a pin standing on the deck at a certain time. The foul detector (92) is a known type of optical sensor that provides a certain sign when the bowler crosses the foul line when throwing a ball. The ball trigger sensor (88) is activated when the bowler plays a bowling ball. The common box (96) is connected to the main power source, and the video switch (73) and the game maker (7
4), power the game setter (76) and the high voltage converter (84).

Explanation of the equipment: lane-to-pin setting machine; The pin setting machine (14) for each lane is an automatic boring pin processing device. This pin setting machine (14)
It can be operated to set up to 10 pins in a normal boring triangle or array. In a preferred embodiment, the pin setting machine (14) comprises a GS10 pin setting machine manufactured by Brunswick. The mechanical operation of this GS10 pin setting machine is described in the “Brunswick GS10 Aircraft Operation and Service Manual, No. 47-902705” issued in July 1986, and is included as a reference in this specification. ing. However, the electronic control mechanism of the GS10 pin setting machine has been replaced by the gamesetter (76) described in detail here.

4 and 5 show that Brunswick GS10
Selected portions of the mold pin setting machine are shown for the purpose of explaining the operation of the pin setting machine as necessary to understand the operation of the central boring control mechanism according to the invention.

The pin setting machine (14) includes a pin elevator (100), which accepts any pins from a normal pin conveyor (not shown) and first aligns the pin base. Then, it is placed on the pin chute (104) and lifted up to the pin turn machine (102) to be sequentially sent to the distributor (106). This distributor (106) sends the pins to the ten pin position and finally places them in the pin setting table (108). This pin setting table (108) contains a total of ten chip baskets, one for each pin, and holds bowling pins set for the lane. This chip basket is described in Schmid, et. Al., US Pat. No. 3,809,3.
No. 98, which is incorporated by reference in the specification of this patent. Each tip basket operates a switch operable to sense the presence of the pin (P) and a pair of flaps that controllably grasp the neck before setting the pin (P) on the deck. And a solenoid. Use the pincer to lift the standing pins when cleaning the deck and releasing to reset the pins.

The pin setting table (108) is movably mounted, detects the strike or remaining pin state by descending, the rake (110) removes the fallen pin, picks up the standing pin, and resets it. Or set a new pin. Therefore, this pin setting table (108) detects, collects and resets the pins that have been standing by moving a controlled short distance, and moves a long distance to set new pins.

When the ball (B) is thrown, the ball cushion (112) stops the forward movement of the ball, and then sends the ball (B) to the ball accelerator (114) common to both lanes in one lane pair. Drop the ball under the track, and play bowlers (19) or approach (1
Send to 3) ball lift (not shown).

A gear train assembly (116) located above the distributor (106) is mounted as a drive mechanism responsive to operation of the movable portion of the pin setting machine (14). The gear train assembly (116) includes a distributor motor, a cleaning motor, a pin setting table motor and associated shafts, gears, belts, chains, and the like. The gear train also consisted of switches A, B, C, D and was mounted to sense four selected pin setting table positions.
Normal contact includes four pin setting table position switches that are open. In particular, switch A indicates the highest table position, switch B indicates the intermediate table position, switch C indicates the lowest table position, and switch D also indicates the intermediate table position. These switches operate on camshafts driven by pin setting table motors. Two intermediate position switches, switches B and D, are mounted and determine the direction of rotation of the relevant pin setting table motor when performing a particular cycle. In particular, when the pin setting table motor moves to the left, the closing order of the switches is ABCDA. Therefore, when the pin setting table motor is moved to the right, the closing order of the switches is ADCBA.

Game setter; see FIG. 6, two for the left and right lanes of the lane pair
A generalized block diagram showing the game setter controlling the pin setting machines (14) and the electrical and electronic components used together is shown. Since the special components involved in each lane are identical, only one lane will be described in detail here.

As described above, the game setter (76) transmits data from the game maker (74) to the game maker (74) via the local COM line (75). This game setter (76) also has the pin detection optical scanner (86), foul detector (92), player control position (93), high voltage box (8).
4) and connected to the common box (118). The high voltage box (84) operates as a high voltage interface between the game setter (76) and the input and output means associated with the pin setting machine (14).

Referring to FIG. 7, the common box (118) includes suitable fasteners for mounting to the three-phase power source (119). A single phase of this power is supplied to the game maker (74). Three-phase power is supplied from here directly to the high-voltage box (118) via normal power wiring (120). Common box (118)
Usually includes a DC power conversion circuit (121) and a power line (12
2) DC power rectified through the game setter (76)
And the AC power to the optical scanner (86) via the power line (123). Several commercially available optical coupler circuits (12
4) is connected to the game setter I / O board (142) and receives control signals therefrom, as seen in FIG.
This optical coupler circuit (124) is connected to a commercially available relay driver circuit (125). Some of the relay driver circuits are connected to a peripheral output device (127) such as a foul detection device (92). The foul detection device (92) gives a certain sign when the bowler crosses the foul line. A commercially available interface circuit (128) is connected to this relay driver circuit. The control signal is converted into an appropriate voltage level to convert the control signal into a normal ball lift means (126) and a ball accelerator (114).
Activate

Turning to FIG. 8, a block diagram of the game setter CPU board (130) is shown. In particular, this CP
The U board (130) has an Intel 8344 type CPU (13) connected to the monitoring timer circuit (132) and bus (133).
1) is included. This bus (133) carries both address and data information. This bus (133) has read-only memory or ROM (134), random access
A memory or RAM (135), a combined universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter or MUART (136), a write and read latch circuit (137, 138) and a programmable communication interface or PCI circuit (139) are connected.

The Intel 8344 CPU (131) is a remote universal interface processor, including the 8051 CPU incorporated therein. The 8344 type CPU (131) is connected to a game setter I / O board (142) via a COM line buffer circuit (145), and is connected to a game maker local COM line (75). Thus, the 8344 type CPU (131) plays the role of a communication subsystem controller on the local COM line (75). The 8344 type CPU (131) operates based on a control program and controls the pin setting machine (14), as will be described in more detail later.

The ROM (134) stores the CPU program and controls the pin setting operation in any of the five modes. The normal operation mode requires communication between the 8344 type CPU (131) and the game maker (74). In the remaining four modes, the game setter (76) operates as an isolated mechanism to play a bowling game without the features attached to the game maker (74). The RAM (135) temporarily stores data and uses, for example, the pin fall data obtained from the optical scanner (86) and the pin setting switch in the 8344 type CPU (131). The RAM (135) also operates as a buffer,
Store data from or to M line (75).

MUART (136) is an Intel 8256 type multi-function small processor support controller.
Give parallel conversion. The MUART (136) is also connected to the game setter I / O board (142) and interfaces peripheral devices such as a ball detector (88) and a foul detector (92) to the bus (133).

A write latch circuit (137) is connected to the game setter I / O board (142) and transmits data as commanded by the 8344 type CPU (131), and as shown below, the I / O board (142). ) Is output through an appropriate conversion circuit. A read latch circuit (138) is also connected to the game setter I / O board (142) and operates as a buffer for storing information. As will be described later, an input connected to the game maker I / O board is provided. Read from the device.

PCI (139) is an Intel 8251 programmable communication interface, optical coupler circuit (143)
Connected to the optical scanner (86). The optical scanner (86) is an opto-electrical pin fall detection mechanism and is described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,825,749 to Gautraud, et. Al., Owned by the assignee of the present invention. And its specification is incorporated by reference into this patent. The optical scanner (86) transmits serial pin fall data to the PCI (139). The 8251 type communication interface is a universal synchronous / asynchronous receiver / transmitter that converts serial data in parallel and vice versa, whenever ready to accept data for transmission, and type 8344 CP.
Whenever U (131) receives the data to be read, 83
Send to 44-type CPU (131). Thus, the 8344 CPU (13
1) controls the operation of the optical scanner (86) and reads the pin fall data from there. Also, the 8344 type CPU (131) transmits information to the optical scanner (86), and identifies the standing pin, for example, and corrects the optical scanner (86) to the current pin pattern. The identification of upright pins for such correction may be determined by a pin setting table switch.

Referring to FIG. 9, the correlation of each element of the game setter I / O board (142) is shown in a block diagram. For simplicity, the CPU board (130) is shown as one block in the game setter I / O board (142). CPU read bus (146) and CPU write bus (147)
Are shown connected to this CPU board (130). In particular, as shown in FIG. 8, the read bus (146) is connected to the CPU board read latch (138), and the write bus (147) is connected to the CPU board write latch (137). Each read and write address decoder (148, 150) is operably connected to a bus (133) on a CPU board (130). filter/
The latch circuit (151) is connected via the high voltage box (84)
It includes a plurality of inputs connected to a plurality of pin setting input means, such as a pin switch, a pin setting table position switch, a stop / set and power switch. Appropriate filters are provided to protect these circuits from electrostatic problems and the high voltages required for operation of the pin setting machine (14). The filter / latch circuit (151) continuously reads the on / off state of each input, and stores these states using a normal latch circuit. Upon receiving a command from the read address / decoder circuit (148), the filter / latch circuit transmits the read bus (14) from the latch circuit.
The status is transmitted to 6) and transmitted to the CPU board (130).

The read address decoder (150) is connected to the output buffer circuit (152). The output buffer circuit (152) is connected to the write bus (147) and includes a latch buffer circuit for storing information received from the write bus (147) and a pin solenoid or a high voltage box (84) for example. A plurality of outputs connected to various output means on a pin setting machine such as a motor. This output is also connected to the common box (118) and operates the selected peripheral controller as described above. When the address decoder circuit (150) reads the address corresponding to the specific output means, the address decoder circuit (15)
0) commands the output buffer to read new data from the write bus (147) and control the operation of said particular output means.

A differential transceiver filter circuit (153) connects the player control position (93) to the MUART (136) on the CPU board (130). This player control position (93) is used to manually select a row of manually operated push buttons and a row of pins to be set by actual boring, and to inform the bowler which pin is currently standing. Each LED is included. This differential transceiver filter circuit (153)
Includes a two-way serial transmission unit, transmits upright pin information to the bowler and receives manual pin setting selection to receive the 8344 type CPU.
Transmit to (131).

The differentiating line transceiver circuit (154) is a two-way serial transmission unit, which is connected to the game maker local COM line (75), and is connected to the 8344 type CPU (131) via the COM line buffer (145). This circuit (154) includes a COM circuit disconnect switch (not shown) and may operate the game setter (76) in isolated mode if desired, separate from the game maker (74). This isolation mode can be used, for example, when the device is used or when the game maker (74) is not operated. Filter / buffer circuit (15
5) is a ball detector (88) and a foul detector (9)
2) Connected to read the status of these input devices. Both of these sensing devices (88, 92) include optical sensors and transmit the converted DC level signal. The DC amplitude changes when each sensor detects that the ball has been thrown or that a foul has occurred. This filter / buffer circuit (155) is the MUA on the CPU board (130).
Connected to RT (136).

Turning to FIG. 10, a block diagram illustrating the circuitry of the high voltage box (84) is shown. Each high voltage box (84) contains an interface circuit and converts relatively low voltage signals from the game setter (76) to voltages suitable for operation of the pin setter (14). The high voltage box (84) includes a commercially available optical coupler circuit (156) connected to the output buffer circuit (152) of the I / O board (142). This optical coupler circuit (156) separates the gamesetter (76) from the high voltage box (84). The optical coupler circuit (156) is connected to a commercially available output driver circuit and converts the voltage required to drive the pin solenoid, motor and other means of the pin setting machine.
The input and output connections between the game setter (76) and the pin setter (14) are made via similar optical coupler circuits in the high voltage box (84). Commercial power circuit (16
0) is connected to the three-phase line (120) of the common box (118) and converts it to the required voltage used to drive the output driver circuit (158).

Operation of the Game Setter; As mentioned above, the Game Setter (76) can programmatically operate two separate pin setting machines (14), one in the left lane and the other in the right lane. is there. The two pin setting machines (14) operate mutually and
You can play one cross-lane bowling game on one lane or play two different bowling games with your own control.

The game setter ROM (134) holds software instructions for operating the pin setting machine (14) and causes a commercially available machine to execute an operation used in a bowling game. These mechanical operations include reading the pins, lifting the pins, cleaning the deck after throwing the ball, and even setting a new pin refill. In the normal mode operation, as described above, the game setter (76) receives a command from the game maker (74) and executes a selected one of the machine operations. Further, the ROM (134) stores four complete game programs and is used to operate the game setter (76) in the isolated mode. These four games include ten pin bowling, figure bowling, figure clearing bowling, and bowling games used for diagnostics. Using the function switch (141) shown in FIG. 8, one of the four isolated bowling games is based on the isolated mode, or the command from the game maker (74) is based on the regular mode. To select whether or not to operate the game setter. If the function switch (141) is set to play one of the isolated games, the device will execute a game program associated with the isolated game selected directly from the ROM (134). Can operate. After this, 8344 type CPU (131)
Operates in the usual manner to control the operation of the pin setting machine (14) in response to various input signals and commands.

The solitary 10-pin bowling game is a standard 10-frame game that has already been described. Figure bowling uses the player control position (93) to make the actual bowling select a special pin pattern. Figure clearing bowling is similar to figure bowling, except that bowlers have as many throwing opportunities as needed to defeat all the pins.

In normal mode operation, the game setter (76)
It communicates with the game maker (74) via the M line (75) and operates the pin setting machine (14) to execute the game. Especially,
The game maker (74) transmits a command signal to the game setter (76) and controls the machine operation of the boring game execution of the pin setting machine based on the program executed by the game maker (74) as described above. I do. Conversely, the game setter (76) gives the current information from the pin setting machine (14) to the game maker (74) to the result of the specific game being played.

Machine operation based on the program control of the pin setting machine (14) can be characterized by three basic machine operations. These three operations are the same regardless of whether the pin setting machine (14) is operated in the normal mode based on the instruction of the game maker (74) or in the isolated mode.

The first operation is a pin reading cycle, in which the pin setting console (108) is used to determine which pin is standing. This operation is used, for example, in a device without the optical scanner (86), and is performed by a normal pin detection switch on the pin setting console (108). Operation is the best deck,
That is, starting at the home position, opening the pinch and pulling up the rake. In particular, the "read pin" operation is performed in the following order.

1. Close the ball door.

2. Start the distributor elevator.

3. Wait 0.5 seconds.

4. Lower the rake.

5. Wait 0.5 seconds.

6. Check if the rake is down or up.

7. Wait for 1.8 seconds.

8. Open the ball door.

9. Start the pin setting table motor counterclockwise.

10. Four seconds after the start of the cycle, the pin setting table should be in contact with the pin head, and switch B should be closed.

11. Wait for 240 milliseconds and turn on the pin detection switch.

12. Read the status of the pin detection switch and read the RAM (13
In 5), the status of each switch is stored.

13. End the read cycle.

The "pull and clean" operation is
You may continue right after the operation. Conversely, if the "pin read" operation is unnecessary and the pin setting table (108) is at the home position, the "pull up and clean" operation will be performed in steps 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 9 above. Use 10, then continue with the following steps.

14. Start counterclockwise rotation of the pin setting table motor.

15. Start the pinch "close".

16. Hold switch D "closed" and verify that the pins are raised from the deck.

17. Stop the pinch “close”.

18. Wait for switch A to close,
Stop the motor.

19. Start the rake and clean the tipping pin.

Wait for 20.1 seconds.

21. Make sure the rake is up.

22. Turn off the rake switch.

23. Start the pin setting table motor clockwise.

24. Hold switch D "closed".

25. Open the pinch.

26. Hold switch B "closed" and verify that the pins are on the deck.

27. Remove the pinch.

28. Hold switch A "closed" and turn off the pin setting table motor switch.

29. End the “pull and clean” cycle.

The above operations are performed by a standard GS10 pin setting machine, except that the pin status is written to the RAM (135) in step 12, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 11, the operation of the game setter (76) for performing the pin setting operation is illustrated in a flow chart. This operation starts after the deck is cleaned.

The pin setting operation begins at decision block (160), which determines whether a new pin refill setting is required. Usually, this pin setting operation is used at the start of the game and at the start of each frame. Further, the setting operation may be performed when the pin falls down carelessly or the pin setting machine (14) accidentally resets. If the pin setting is not desired, the controller stops the pin setting operation. When it is determined that a new pin must be set, the game setter (76) at block (161) calls the pin setting machine (1).
Operate 4) to lower the rake. Thereafter, the pin setting table (108) is activated according to the cycle with the pin setting table motor started. When this cycle begins, the pin solenoid is energized and the flap opens. At the end of this cycle, the pin setting table (10
When 8) goes up, the flap operates the lever, pushing it up and lowering the pin from the distributor (106). At the end of this pin setting table cycle, the rake is started at block (163).
After a predetermined waiting time at block (164), the rake (110) stops at block (165). Decision block (166) determines that all ten pins, or all the pins required to fill the selected pattern, have been determined by the pin setting table, chip, basket, and pin detection switch as described above. Until the pin setting table (108)
Repeat cycle automatically.

When the pin setting table (108) is filled as determined in block (166), all pin solenoids are energized at block (167). Thereafter, the pin setting table motor is started at the block (168), and starts moving down the pin setting table (108) to set the pin (P) on the deck. The pin pattern previously selected at block (169) is
Read from RAM (135). This pre-selected pin
The pattern is ten pins of a ten pin bowling, manually selected by the player control position (93) in figure bowling, and in the normal operation mode, as will be described in more detail below, by the game maker (74). Automatically determined by

Once the pattern data has been read, decision block (170) waits until pin setting switch C is closed, indicating that pin setting table (108) is at the lowest position. When the pin setting table (108) is at the lowest position, the preparation for releasing the pin (P) is completed. Thus, at block (171), a pin solenoid corresponding to the number of pins in the preselected pin pattern is energized as read at block (169). As a result, each of these selected pins is released, and the pin setting table (108) continues to move, leaving the pin at the position where the pin solenoid is energized on the deck. Unselected pins are removed from the deck after the pin setting table (108) has been raised. Thereafter, the decision block (172) waits until the pin setting switch B is closed and the pin setting table (108) indicates that it is at the intermediate position. After this,
The pin solenoid is de-energized at block (173). However, the pin solenoids are not de-energized until switch B contact is "closed" and each of the selected pins is prevented from prematurely de-energizing the pin solenoids and removing them from the deck. Finally, the decision block (174) waits until the pin setting switch A is closed and the pin setting table (108) is at the home position. After this, the pin setting table monitor is blocked (17
It is deactivated at 5), and the pin setting operation ends.

Game Maker / MCD According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the game maker (74) and the supervising computer (32) use identical circuitry. Therefore, only one device needs to be installed because of the need to minimize the number of spare parts and facilitate service requests.

12A to 12D are block diagrams showing the electronic circuits of the game maker (74) and the supervising computer (32). For simplicity, the description provided here will
The invention can be applied to the general computer (32), but is limited to the game maker (74) unless otherwise specified.

Referring to FIG. 12A, the game maker (74) includes a 68000 type parent central processing unit (parent CPU) (200). This parent CPU (2
00) operates in a known manner to control the address and data lines of the device and to generate all the necessary timing strobes to call into the memory and peripherals connected to it. The memory of the parent CPU (200) is a dynamic random access memory, that is, a DRAM (20).
2), electrically programmable read-only memory, ie E
PR0M (204), and CMOS RAM (206). This parent CPU (200) is connected to the DRAM (20) through the DRAM controller (210).
The address on the address bus connected to 2), that is, A BUS (208) is output to address data to be stored in the DRAM (202). The DRAM (202) responds to the address by 16
The data is output to the parent CPU (200) via the latch circuit (211) leading to the bit data bus, ie, D BUS (212).
This latch circuit (211) performs synchronous two-way communication and parent C
It includes a Type 245 octal bus transceiver circuit having a pair of three-phase outputs that can be separated when the PU (200) does not need access to the DRAM (202).

A latch circuit (214) connects A BUS (208) to a separate B address bus, BA BUS (215). The latch circuit (214) includes three commercially available three-phase 244 type octal buffer line driver circuits. Similarly, a latch circuit (216) comprising a pair of commercially available 245 type latch circuits connects this D BUS (212) to a separate B data bus, ie, a BD BUS (217). When the latch circuits (214, 216) are activated in the usual manner commanded by the parent CPU (200), the parent CPU (200)
4) Or address data stored in CMOS RAM (206). The EPROM (204) and the CMOS RAM (206) respond to the address via the BD BUS (217) and the D BUS (212) to the parent CPU.
Output the data to (200).

An address decode / timing circuit (218) is connected to the BA BUS (215). This address decode / timing circuit (218) is a BA BUS (215)
The address output of the ABUS (208) is monitored via the CPU and a selection signal is transmitted to the permission means associated with the address. For example, the address decode / timing circuit (218)
DRAM controller (210), EPROM (204), and CMO respectively
DRAMS signal, EPROMS signal and CMO for SRAM (206)
Sends S RAMS signal.

The latch circuit (220), which is a 244 type circuit, has an A BUS (208)
To the calendar clock circuit (221). This calendar clock circuit (221) is a Motorola M
A C-146818 calendar clock chip, which is equipped with a full date / time and 100-year calendar with alarm and is capable of transmitting an interrupt request signal CIRQ. The calendar clock circuit (221) receives the address selection signal CCLKS from the address decode / timing circuit (218). The calendar clock circuit (221) responds to the address by way of a data and time clock via a latch circuit (222) which is a 245 type latch circuit.
Output the data to D BUS (212). The function of the calendar clock circuit (221) is to provide periodic interrupts to the parent CPU (200) to perform various software tasks. In particular, when used as a supervisory computer (32), the parent CPU (200) requests an accurate calendar clock source, and signals time and incidents occurring in data-printed equipment.

The calendar clock interrupt CIRQ is connected to the interrupt control circuit (224). This interrupt control circuit (224)
Responds to the interrupt request and gives priority to the request transmitted to the parent CPU (200) thereafter. When the parent CPU (200) receives the interrupt level, processing of a task related to a specific interrupt is performed.

Further, a commercially available clock transmission circuit (223) and two commercially available monitoring timer circuits (225) are connected to the parent CPU (200). This clock circuit (225)
Operates at 10MHz as required by 0). Also, the monitoring timer circuit (225) monitors the proper execution of programs and commands from the parent CPU (200).

When used as a game maker (74), the DRAM memory (202) stores the program received from the supervising computer (32) and performs the operation of the bowling game, as will be shown in more detail later. The EPROM (204) stores the initial setting program to initialize the parent CPU (200), the game maker operation system program, the default character set, and the game program for the isolated 10-pin bowling game. C connected to battery (207)
A MOS RAM (206) stores pin fall data used for recording. As a result, the CMOS RAM (206) is operated as a non-volatile memory, and can retain pin fall data even in the event of a power accident.

The game maker can operate in any of the four operation modes. In these four modes, a normal mode game maker, which receives a game program from the general computer (32), operates the game maker using a program stored in the EPROM (204), and operates the cross lane 10 An isolated league mode in which a pin league type bowling game is executed, an isolated open mode in which an EPROM (204) stores a standard ten pin bowling game in which each lane can operate independently, and a game maker's A diagnostic mode for performing routine diagnostics with hardware and software is included. More specifically, any one of the four modes can be manually set with the mode key operation switch (226).

Turning to FIG. 12B, a block diagram illustrating a control circuit for controlling the transmission of the global COM line (27) and the game maker local COM line (75) is shown. The game maker (74) includes a global COM line interface circuit (228) and a local COM line interface circuit (229). Each circuit is exactly the same. Here, only the global COM line interface circuit (228) will be described in detail.

Global COM line (27)
The line (29) and the game maker local COM line (75) together provide the boring central control with a communication network. This communication control is based on the Intel 8434 CPU (13
Implemented by 1). The 8344 CPU (131) is a remote universal interface processor, including an 8-bit 8051 CPU using external ROM and RAM memory and an isolated serial interface HDLC / SDLC protocol controller. In particular, the 8344 type CPU (131) controls two-way data transfer between the serial part and the parallel part.

Within the boring central control, each means connected to the COM line (27, 29 or 75) contains a Type 8344 processor and operates as an intelligent serial interface,
Each device acts as a parent or child station. fact,
Each COM line includes one parent station and one or more child stations. In the parent COM line (27), the supervising computer (32) is a parent station, and each game maker (74) is a child station. In the supervising computer (32), the local COM line (29), the supervising computer is the parent station again, for example, a keyboard (44)
Peripheral devices such as a printer and a printer (46) serve as child stations. Each game maker (74) has a local CO
It is the parent station on the M line (75). In the game maker local COM line, the remaining means such as the game setter (76) and the keyboard (24) are all child stations.

The game maker (74) is a GCOM CPU (230), a global COM line interface processor that is an 8344 type processor.
Is included. The GCOM CPU (230) converts the data received from the BD BUS (217) in a parallel format into a serial format and transmits it to the COM line (27). This GCOM CPU
(230) is the EIA RS485 type interface circuit (233)
Connected to this interface circuit (233)
Are sequentially connected to an optical isolator circuit (234) connected to a global COM line (27). A COM line disconnecting switch (not shown) is included, and the game maker (74) is disconnected from the COM line (27). This switch can be used, if desired, to cut off the circuitry of a special game maker (74). GCOM C
The PU (230) is used together with the external ROM (231) and the RAM (232) to operate as a communication controller. The ROM (231) stores the program and operates the GCOM CPU (230).
The RAM (232) also provides a serial data buffer to send messages to the global COM line (27)
Proceed from the OM line (27). GCOM CPU (230) is GD BUS
This GD BUS (237) multiplexes address / data information to a single bus. Also GD BUS
(237) is a latch circuit (235), ROM (231) and RAM (2
32) is connected. This latch circuit (235)
It is a commercially available 373 type octal D type transparent latch circuit having a phase output. The latch circuit (235) is operable to multiplex address / data information, thereby providing access to the global communication address bus or ROM (23) of the GA BUS (236).
1) Assign an address to the RAM (232). In particular, ROM
(231) and the RAM (232) output data to the GD BUS (237) in response to the address of the GA BUS (236).

The GD BUS (237) is connected to the 373 type latch circuit (238). A write FIFO circuit (239) connects this latch circuit (238) to the BD BUS (217). This write FIFO
The circuit (239) operates as one buffer and stores data from the BD BUS (217) output to the global COM line (27). The write FIFO circuit (239)
It is enabled by the global COM select signal GCOMS from the address decode / timing circuit (218) (see FIG. 12A). Like the write FIFO circuit (239),
Read FIFO circuit (240) for GD BUS (237) and 373
It is connected to the BD BUS (217) via the mold latch circuit (241). The read FIFO circuit (240) is an address decode / timing select signal also connected to this circuit (240)
Acts as a buffer for temporary storage of data received on the global COM line (27) prior to transmission to the BD BUS (217) as commanded by GCOMS. FIFO circuit (239,24
0) includes a status circuit that stores 64 bytes of data and emits a signal when the memory is full and when data is being input to the memory. It should be clarified that the read FIFO circuit (24
0) or a write FIFO circuit (239).

Although not shown, the GCOM CPU (230) includes a commercially available clock circuit and monitoring circuit connected thereto.
The GCOM CPU (230) has two external devices for sending an interrupt signal. The INT1 signal is the write FIFO circuit (23
9) The signal is sent by the data available signal of the parent CPU (20
0) indicates when it has data to transmit to the global COM line (27). The read FIFO circuit (240) sends an INTO signal when its buffer is full, and the parent CPU (200)
Can no longer accept data until it reads data from it.

The game maker (74) uses the 373 type latch circuit to
An address DID switch (242) connected to the BUS (237) is included. The address switch (242) for each game maker (74) is a station
Set based on address. Supervisor computer (3
When used as 2), the address switch (242) of the global COM interface circuit (228) does not operate because the parent CPU (200) plays the role of the parent station.

As described above, the local COM interface circuit (22
9) is exactly the same as the global COM interface circuit (228). The prefix G was replaced with the prefix L to indicate that these circuits represent local COM lines. on the other hand,
Similar reference numbers indicate similar parts. Circuit (22
The main difference between (8) and (229) is that the address switch (242) is not required since the game maker (74) is the parent station of the local COM line (75).

Both the GCOM and LCOM central processing units (230) are connected to a write status latch circuit (244) and a read status latch circuit (245). Both of these latch circuits (244, 245) are connected to BD BUS (21
7) is also connected. The write status latch circuit (244) is a commercially available 175 type hex D with clear input.
Type flip-flop circuit. The read status latch circuit (245) is the 373 type circuit described above. These latch circuits (244, 245) receive status information from the central processing unit (230), and display the status of income or expenditure information, and also display the status even when the transmitted or received information is disturbed. When writing data to the write status latch circuit (244), a specific C
Notify the PU (230). CP via COM related data
When read by one of the U (230) and transmitted to the BD BUS (217), the read status latch circuit (24
5) sends a shutoff signal GDAV to the shutoff controller (244) (see FIG. 12A).

The game maker (74) operably transmits the video graphic signal to transmit the three graphic monitors, in particular, each of the left and right overhead monitors (20L, 20R) and the remote location monitor (2).
2) Activate. These signals graphically represent information such as, for example, recorded information and training information. The need to support three video display monitors consumes significant processing time for video transmission. Therefore, the timing and control of the video device must be properly considered.

Looking at Fig. 12C, the video transmitter mechanism control circuit (246)
Is shown in the block diagram. The video transmitter mechanism (246) includes a video control circuit (248) connected to the ABUS (208) and receiving address information from the parent CPU (200). This video control circuit (248)
Is also connected to the DBUS (212) to transmit data to the parent CPU (200) and receive data from the parent CPU (200). Multiplexer circuit (253) is A
The BUS (208) and the vertical and horizontal selection signals SELCOL and SELROW of the video control circuit (248) are connected to simultaneously transmit address information to a video address bus or VA BUS (252). Three blocks of video RAM memory, each with a display device (20L, 20R, 20S), VRAML (24
9), VRAMR (250) and VRAMS (251) are the parent CPU (200)
Is mounted on the address space. Each video RA
The M blocks (249, 250, 251) include, for example, a dual-port dynamic NMOS RAM such as a 41264 memory chip manufactured by NEC Corporation. This 41
The 264 type memory chip includes a 64K × 4 dynamic RAM port and a 256 × 4 sequential read port. The serial read port is connected to internal 1024 bit data via a 256 word x 4 bit sequential read output controller, each word of which serially reads 4 bits simultaneously.

The multiplexer (253) outputs a video address and addresses the data stored in the video RAM blocks (249, 250, 251) on the VA BUS (252) connected to each of the video RAM blocks (249, 250, 251). Each video R
AM block (249,250,251)
The video RAM address selection signal, VRAM1S, VRAM2S and VRAM3S are received from the timing circuit (218) (see FIG. 12). Each video RAM block (249,250,251)
RAM port is connected to D BUS (21
2) The video data bus connected to the VD BUS (25
4) Connected to. This latch circuit (255)
It includes a 374 type flip-flop circuit and a pair of 245 type transceiver circuits. Each video RAM block (249,250,25
The sequential read output unit of 1) is connected to each gate / latch circuit (2
56,257,258). This gate / latch circuit (256, 257, 258)
It includes a well-known gate circuit that operably positions the collar and also has a 374 flip-flop circuit. The gate / latch circuits (256, 257, 258) are connected to respective color pallet circuits (259, 260, 261). This color palette circuit is based on the Inmos IMS G1
70-inch high performance CMOS color lookup table circuit. The IMS G170 combines the functions of a color palette or look-up table, digital-to-analog conversion and a microprocessor interface. Color palette circuit from 262144 possible colors
Up to 256 colors can be converted simultaneously from an 8-bit word per pixel to one color. Each color palette circuit (259,260,261) is A BUS (208) and D
An RGB video output unit connected to the BUS (212) and connected to each of the RGB driver circuits (262, 263, 264) is included. The RGB type driver circuits (262, 263, 264) respectively provide RGB signal lines (274, 275, 2
It is connected to the video switch (73) via (76). Each color palette circuit (259,260,261) is RIX C
Like the LK signal, it receives each blanking signal, LBLANK, RBLANK, and SBLANK from the video control circuit (248).

The color palette circuit is a write-only means associated with the parent CPU (200). The data written to the special color palette circuit may be a color address, a color value address, or a pixel mask value. To initialize the color palette circuit or change the value of the lookup table, the parent CPU (200) writes to the pixel address register of the color palette circuit to change the address pointer to the special color to be changed. Set to. If this operation is to initialize the color palette address, "0" must be used. Next, the parent CPU (200) stores the
Perform three consecutive write operations. At least six bits of significant data are available from each write byte.
This value is subsequently erased to an 18-bit word of the color value. The first written byte defines the intensity of red, the second written byte defines the intensity of green, and the last written byte defines the intensity of blue. The third write to the color value register causes the internal pixel address register to increment its value by one. Parent CPU (2
00) only needs to right justify the pixel address register, so this feature, once activated during power-up and during initialization of the color palette circuit, will continuously right justify the color values and To get a result like

The color palette circuit includes a pixel mask register. This pixel mask register allows the chip to perform a bit-by-bit AND operation on the register contents and the associated input pixel color from the video RAM block. This feature works with video RAM
This is effective for changing the display color without affecting the color value of the block. By partitioning the color definition of the pixel address by one or more bits, graphic animation and color flushing are achieved.

The video control circuit (248) performs the following three basic functions. That is, the function as an interface of the parent CPU (200), the transmission of a monitor control signal, and the function as a video RAC controller for the video RAM blocks (249, 250, 251).

As an interface on the side of the parent CPU (200), the video control circuit (248) outputs data to and from the parent CPU (200) to output two interrupt signals VIDEO1 INT and VIDEO1.
O2 INT is transmitted and transmitted to the interrupt control circuit (224) (see FIG. 12A). These interrupt signals are used during playback of the monitor (20L, 20R, 22) to annotate the parent CPU (200) to place it in various locations. In particular, this signal tells the parent CPU (200) to update the data in the video RAM blocks (249, 250, 251) after regenerating the respective monitor (20L, 20R, 22) with the information most recently stored by the video device. Let it. By using this interrupt characteristic, flicker occurring on the screen when the screen is updated can be reduced. The first interrupt is a repeated interrupt VIDEO1 INT
To be executed during the playback of the video screen. This playback may be performed at the beginning or end of either active video or blanking time. The second interrupt, VIDEO2 INT, executes at the start of a particular scan line.

To control the operation of the monitors (20R, 20L, 22), the video control circuit (248) emits the appropriate sync / blanking signals. In particular, the latch circuit controls the blanking of each monitor with the latch information available to the parent CPU (200), and executes the blanking control of each monitor independently.
The video control circuit (248) ORs (non-equivalent operation) the composite blanking signal that needs to coexist with the latch blanking control line during the rerun time. Select line, LBLANK, RB
The signals generated on LANK and SBLANK are displayed on each monitor (20
L, 20R, 22) used for blanking control.

The video control circuit (248) operates as a dynamic RAM controller and periodically plays the video RAM memories (249, 250, 251), but it has been confirmed that this playback cycle does not hinder the operation of the monitor. The video control circuit (248) also allows the parent CPU (200) to access the memory contents almost directly using the video RAM block for about 5% of this time. As a result, the processing capacity of the parent CPU (200) increases, and the potential of the device decreases.

Turning to FIG. 12D, a block diagram illustrating peripheral interface circuits for the game maker (74) and the supervising computer (32) is shown. The sequential input / output interface is provided using a dual active receiver / transmitter or DUART (265) connected to the BD BUS. this
DUART (265) encompasses Zilog's Z80 SIO sequential input / output controller. The DUART (265) also includes two independent full duplex channels.
DUART (265) converts parallel data from BD BUS (217) to A
It converts it to serial data for Part B and Part B, and vice versa. The channels A and B of the DUART (265) are respectively connected to the RS422 type converter circuit (266, 267) in the form of the game maker (74) and the RS232 type converter circuit (266 ', 267') in the form of the general computer (32). )It is connected to the. When using the game maker (74), the channel A converter (266) is connected to the video switch (73), and when using the supervising computer (32), the channel A converter (266 ') is connected to the modem (36). In addition, channel B converter (267 ')
Connected to the service console (34). This DUAR
T (265) is an address decoder timing circuit (21
8) by sequential input / output selection from SIOS signal
Enabled (see FIG. 1). DUART (265) is BD B
When it is necessary to transmit US (217) data, serial I / O
An interrupt signal is transmitted and transmitted to the interrupt controller (224).

In order for the supervising computer (32) to interface with a hard disk or floppy disk, a commercially available SC
Connect SI boat (268) to BD BUS (217). The SCSI port (268) is a small computer device interface bus (26) covered by ANSI standard X3T92.
9) provides an interface, and this interface bus (269) provides a standard interface / command set between hardware and floppy disk manufacturers as well as controller boards. SCSI port (268)
Receives the SCSI selection signal from the address decoder / timing circuit (218) (see FIG. 12A) and sends a SCSI INT signal to the interrupt controller (224). SCSI port (2
68) is connected to the hard disk (270) and the floppy disk (272). This floppy disk (2
72) is used to apply new software to the device, such as a new game under development, to provide a backup of data or programs from the hard disk (270). As will be explained in more detail below, this hard disk (270) contains the game programs of several different bowling games, the operating mechanism of the supervising computer (32), and the latest 10 pin bowling during competition in each lane.・
It stores historical records, including game pin falls and ball trajectories, and device error logs.

COM Line / Interface In order for the boring central controller to communicate with the COM line, each means must be connected to the associated COM line using a communication interface circuit.
In particular, the RS232 type communication interface circuit (38) is used to connect a pre-selected means to the central office COM line (29) as shown in FIG. 2, and a similar RS232 type communication circuit (78) The keyboard (24) is used to connect the game maker local line (75). Looking at Fig. 13, the RS23
A block diagram showing a type 2 communication interface circuit (38,78) is shown.

This communication interface circuit (78 or 38) is sequential
Use COM CPU (300). The COM CPU (300) includes a serial port connected to a respective COM line (75 or 29) via a commercially available RS485 type interface circuit (302) and an optical isolator circuit (304). Successive
The COM CPU (300) is an Intel 8344 remote universal peripheral interface processor already mentioned at the game maker (74), which is designed to operate as a child station on a COM line (75 or 29). . A commercially available clock circuit (306) and a commercially available watchdog timer circuit (308) are connected to the COM CPU (300) to verify proper operation.

The parallel port of the COM CPU (300) is connected to the BUS (310). This BUS (310) is EPROM (312) and RAM (314)
It is connected to the. This BUS (310) transmits address and data signals thereon. In particular, the address signals address memory locations in EPROM (312) and RAM (314). The data signal is transmitted to the COM line (29) in association with a request received from a special means such as a remote location keyboard (44) connected to the data signal, or a command received on the COM line (29) is transmitted, for example. It is transmitted to a special means such as a printer command to the printer (46). EPROM (312)
BUS (310) operating COM CPU (300) in the usual way
And a program for performing two-way transmission of data between the associated COM lines (75 or 29). RAM (314)
Acts as a buffer and stores data to and from the local COM line (75). A station address circuit (316) is connected to the BUS (310) and associates the station address of a particular child station with the associated COM CPU.
Transmit to (300).

A universal synchronous / asynchronous receiving transmitter, USART (318), is also connected to this BUS (310). The USART is a two-way transceiver that performs conversion on a serial port from parallel data from the BUS (310) to serial data and vice versa. The USART serial port is connected to a standard RS232 type converter circuit (320) and is connected to an external device that communicates according to the RS232 serial communication standard. In particular, in this device, this RS
Using the 232 type converter circuit (320), the game maker (74) local COM line (75) is connected to the keyboard (24). Interface circuit of COM line (29)
8) The converter circuit (320) is connected to a video switch (40), a printer (46), and a DTS interface (48).
And video source means (52).

Keyboard interface circuit (322) is BUS
Includes a parallel port connected to (310). The keyboard interface circuit (322) is connected to the general keyboard (44) and receives serial data from a key when it is pressed. This circuit (322) operably converts the keyboard data into a parallel format,
Transmit to 0).

Bowler Input Location Turning to FIG. 14, a block diagram is shown showing the circuitry of the bowler input location (18) connected to the game maker (74) on the local COM line (75). Using the bowler input position (18), a dialog with the bowler is given to the bowling game operation as described below. The bowler input location (18) includes a keyboard (328) used by the bowler to enter information or requests to the game maker (74), as shown at the bottom of FIG.

The bowler input position (18) includes an optical isolator circuit (330) connected to a local COM circuit (75) and a commercially available RS485 type converter circuit (332). This converter circuit (332) is connected to the serial port of the COM CPU (334). This COM CPU (334) is based on the Intel Corporation 8
A 344 processor that acts as a subsystem controller to the local COM line (75). The COM CPU (334) is configured as a child station. A commercially available clock circuit (336) and a commercially available watchdog timer circuit (338)
Connected to U (334) to keep this device qualified.

The COM CPU (334) includes a parallel port connected to the local BUS (340). This BUS (340) is EPROM (342) and RAM
(344). A station address circuit (346) is connected to this BUS (340).
The line station address is given to the COM CPU (334).

This BUS (340) transmits both address and data signals to the COM CPU (334). In particular, the address signal is
Address memory locations to (342) and RAM (344). The data signal is associated with a local COM line (75) or a bowler request to transmit status information received on the local COM line (75). EPROM (342) in the usual way
Store the program that operates the COM CPU (334)
Perform two-way transmission of data between (340) and COM line (75).

The keyboard encoder circuit (348) connects the bowler input position keyboard (328) to the BUS (34) as shown in FIG.
Connect to 0). This keyboard (328) is a commercially available membrane-type keyboard and a matrix-type switch (35
0). This keyboard / encoder circuit (34
8) Detects when a key is pressed, sends out an encoded signal,
Transmit to US (340). Output driver circuit (352) is BUS
(340). This output driver circuit (35
2) The tone generator (354) and the display driver circuit (35)
Includes output port connected to 6). The display driver circuit (356) operates a display means (358) including a plurality of lighting means for illuminating a transparent key position selected on the keyboard (328) from behind. The tone generator (354) produces a sound that is inaudible to the ear.

Turning to FIG. 15, there is illustrated a membrane keyboard overlay (328) for the bowler input location (18). In particular, this keyboard (328) is commercially available
WERTY] key part (358), “New setting” key part (36
0), "Display" key (362), "Characteristic" key (36
4) and a "change" key portion (366).

The function of any of the above key portions depends on the game software selected and is used to operate the game maker (74). As shown, the European numeral key portion (358) is used for inputting information such as a bowler name.
The "new settings" key portion (360) is used to start a bowling game competition and enter league bowling information. The "display" key portion (362) is used to change the configuration of the record display shown in the overhead display (20). The "characteristics" key portion (364) is used by the bowler to acknowledge the need to implement standard boring or a specially configured boring menu. The "change" key portion (366) is used at the bowler input position (18) and is deformed to execute recording correction. If record correction is not possible at a particular bowler input location (18), the "change" key portion (366) may be removed from the overlay (328).

Pressing a particular key activates the associated switch in the matrix (350). An encoder circuit operably encodes the keystroke to produce a parallel data signal representative thereof.

The bowler input position (42) of the general control desk is similar to the bowler input position (18) described above, and is generally “change”.
Includes a key portion (366). Thus, for example, coordination with the game maker (74) for record correction can be performed at the general control desk, as will be described in detail later.

First, in order for the bowler to enter the bowling central controller, the bowler must first go to the cash register before starting the competition. After completing the eligible payment procedure, the lane controller (16) is activated to enable boring.

When the bowler is ready to start the game, the game is started using the keyboard (328) at the bowler input position (18).
During game control, the bowler input location (18) is operated in a "user friendly" mode and uses the display means (358) to give the bowler the option of being ready to use.

As an example of the bowler's bowling game start operation, the player first goes to the bowler's bowler input position (18) and lights the "left lane" and "right lane" keys. This light key indicates that the bowler can select which lane to use next. After pressing one of the lane keys, the "Game menu" key and the "Enter bowler name" key are lit. If Bowler wants to continue playing the currently set game, "Enter Bowler Name"
Press the key and enter the bowler name. Otherwise, if you want to play another game, press the "Game Menu" key. In response, the game menu is displayed on the selected lane overhead monitor (20L or 20R). The bowler selects a game by entering a reference number associated with a particular game. When the game selection is completed, the game program is transferred from the general computer (32) to the game maker (74) as described below. When the game is over, the "left lane" and "right lane" keys are turned on again. To enter the bowler's name, press the appropriate lane key and illuminate the "Enter bowler name" key.
Inform Bowler of the name entry. When the name has been entered, the bowler presses the specific lane key again and then presses the "start bowling" key. As a result, game makers (74)
Issues a command to the game setter (76), and thus to the pin setting machine (14), to start the operation for the first frame.

Video switch The video switch (40, 73) attached to the supervising computer (32) and the game maker (74)
Select 4), route and send the video signal and the global video program signal from the video source means (52) to the selected monitor associated with the lane pair controller (16). Furthermore, signal conditioning for video level maintenance, composite-RGB decoding, and RGB-composite encoding are performed. The encoded RGB is used for record correction or during tournament mode to be transmitted to the supervising computer (32), and the recorded display of lanes or lane pairs is sent through the house of the global video line (61). Distributed for display on other selected monitors. The audio signal transmitted with the video signal from the video means (52) is switched to the monitor used to display the associated video. The audio program is usually associated with a remote terminal (21). 7 VIDEO
IN port, game maker or general computer, RGB
The selection of the drive signal, AUDIO IN port, RGB monitor output and three SCORE OUT ports is made by the general computer (3
2) Or controlled by a game maker (74) via a serial communication line.

Although the device is described here using seven global video lines (61) and seven global audio lines (68), the device can easily be connected to eight global video and global audio lines. Applicable to Similarly, a qualified switch implemented on the supervising computer (32) causes additional video source means (52) to be added to the global video and audio lines (61,68), respectively.
Can be connected selectively. In addition, additional circuitry can be added to the video switch to use additional global video or audio lines.

Turning to FIG. 16, a block diagram of the circuit for the video switch (73) shown in FIG. 3 is shown. The general control video switch (40) is the same as that of the game maker (74), and will not be described in detail here. The video switch (73) includes a video input switch block (370), three video monitor switch blocks (372L, 372R, 372S) and a video output switch block (374), and an audio switch block. (376) and control decoder block (378).

The video input switch block (370) contains seven input channels (11-17) and is driven by a video driver circuit (56) of the general control desk as shown in FIG. Each of the lines (61) is connected to seven VIDEO IN ports. These seven VIDEO IN ports are also connected in series with the seven VIDEO OUT ports. Therefore, each input channel (11-17) has seven global composite video lines (6
1) connected to one. The video input switch block (370) contains three output channels (01-03) and three control channels (C11 to C3). These three output channels (01 to 03) are connected to three video monitor switches (372L, 372R, 372S) and a video output switch (374), respectively. Control channel (C
1 to C3) are connected to the control decoder (378). Video input switch (370) is output channel (01-03)
Is operably connected to any of the input channels (11 to 17) responsive to the control signal received from the control decoder (378) at each control channel (C1 to C3). In particular, the first control channel (C1) controls the switching of the output channel (01) so that it is not an input channel or has seven input channels (11).
To 17), and can be connected to either one of them. The control of switching to the output channels (02, 03) is similarly determined based on the signals on the respective control channels (C2, C3).

Turning to FIG. 17, a block diagram illustrating the control circuitry for the video input switch (370) is shown. The input signals received on the seven input channels (11-17) contain the composite video signal. The seven composite video signals are connected to three analog switches (382, 383, 384) via an input stage circuit (380). The input stage provides isolation to the composite video signal and includes a Darlington amplifier followed by an emitter follower circuit.

Each analog switch (382,383,384) includes a Model 4051 analog switch, such as a Motorola MC14051. In addition, each analog switch (382,283,38
4) includes an OUT terminal connected via a commercially available gain stage that normalizes the signal level to each output channel (01-03). Analog switches (382,383,38)
4) also includes A, B, C, and I terminals connected to each control channel (C1-C3). The A, B, and C terminals receive the three digit binary signals and select which of the eight input signals is connected to the OUT terminal. The I terminal is the suppression terminal, and when enabled, one of the input terminals is OU
Suppress connection to the T terminal.

The three video monitor switches (372) use the same circuit. Such a circuit is illustrated in block diagram form in FIG. Each monitor switch (372) is composed of a commercially available composite-RGB converter circuit (385),
Includes an analog switch (386) and a commercially available RGB to composite video converter circuit (388). This composite-RGB
The converter circuit (385) is also connected to each output channel (01-03), receives the corresponding composite video signal from the video input switch (370), and converts this signal into an RGB video signal. The RGB output of this converter circuit is connected to an analog switch (386). The RGB video signals are transmitted from the game manufacturer RGB video drivers (262, 263, 264) (274, 2
75, 276) is also connected to the analog switch (386) (see FIG. 12C). The analog switch (386) includes two 4053 8-channel multiplexor / demultiplexer circuits, such as the Motorola MC14053. This 4053
The pattern circuit includes eight input channels and three output channels, which are suitably interconnected to respond to three digit binary signals received at three control terminals. Suppression terminals are also included to suppress interconnection. The control terminal and the suppression terminal are connected to a control decoder circuit (37) which operates an analog switch to connect either the RGB signal from the game maker (74) or the RGB signal from the composite RGB converter circuit (385) to the output terminal.
8) Connected to. The suppression terminal is enabled when the associated display monitor (20L, 20R, 22) is preferably blank. The selected RGB signal at the output terminal is buffered and amplified in the usual way. The analog switch output terminal is connected to the monitor (20L, 20L)
R, 22) and an RGB-composite converter circuit (388). The RGB-composite converter circuit (388)
The encoding of the RGB signal displayed on the associated monitor (20L, 20R, 22) is added to the composite color signal. This converted signal is
It is transmitted to the video output switch (374) and is finally transmitted to the supervising computer (32) for record correction and distributed to the global video circuit (61) during the tournament.

The video output switch block (374) contains six input channels (11-16). The first three input channels (11-13) have their own video monitor
Switch (372L, 372R, 372S) RGB composite converter (38
8) Connect. The remaining three input channels (14-1
6) is connected to each output channel (01-03) of the video input switch (370). This video output switch has three output channels (01-0) connected to the normally open and fixed contacts of each relay switch (R1-R3).
3) is included. This relay switch (R1-R3)
It also includes normally closed fixed contacts connected to the three SCORE IN ports and movable contacts connected to the three SOCRE OUT ports. The location of the movable contact of a particular relay switch is determined by the associated SCORE IN port and the associated SCORE OUT
Determine if it is connected in series with the port and if the associated SCORE OUT port is connected to the output channel of the associated video output switch.

Video output switch (374), control decoder (378)
To three control channels (C1 to C3). This control channel is also connected to relays (R1 to R3). The signals on each control channel (C1-C3) determine which, if any, input channels (11-16) connect to the respective associated output channels (01-03). Both the relays (R1 to R3), and therefore the relay switch contacts (R1 to R3), have their respective control channels (C1 to
Activated by the signal received in C3). For example, the signal of the first control channel (C1) is applied to the first output channel (0
If there is no input channel (11-16) connected to 1), the first relay switch contact (R1) will be
The particular video recording transmission line effectively bypasses the video switch (73) since it remains in the normal position connecting the SCORE IN and SCORE OUT ports. Alternatively, if the signal on the first control channel (C1) indicates that the first output channel (01) is connected, for example, to the first input channel (11), this connection is made in the usual way. And switches the movable contact of the first relay switch contact (R1) to switch the first output channel (01)
SCORE OUT port, therefore video recording transmission line (70)
Connect to Therefore, the composite video signal received on the first input channel (11) from the RGB-converter circuit (386) is transmitted via the video recording transmission line (70) to the VIDEO IN of the video switch (40) of the general control desk. Transmitted to the port. This feature is used in tournament bowling when it is desired to retransmit recorded information from a particular lane or lane pair via the central boring controller for display on another monitor. This property also transmits the video recording display associated with a particular lane to the general control (26) for display on the general control desk monitor (72), and as described in more detail below, allows the operator to view the recorded information. It is also used to make record corrections that allow corrections.

The video output switch (374) uses a circuit similar to that of the video input switch (370). This circuit is
This has been described in the previous section in connection with the block diagram of FIG.

The audio switch block (376) contains seven input channels (11-17). These seven input channels (11 to 17) are connected to AUDIO IN and AUDIO OUT ports connected in series to seven audio transmission lines (68) from the audio driver circuit, respectively. (See FIG. 2). The audio switch (376) includes a control channel (C1) connected to the movable contact of the manually operated switch (S1) and an output channel (01) connected to a remote monitor (22). The audio switch (376) operably connects the output channel (01) to any one of the seven input channels (11 to 17) or not to any according to the signal received on the control channel (C1). In. This audio switch (376) uses a circuit similar to that of the video input switch shown in the block diagram of FIG.
However, since only one output channel is used,
It also requires only one 4051 analog switch. Also, the input stage (380) grounds capacitive isolation / balancing and uses a differential input amplifier for each line.

Turning to FIG. 19, a block diagram illustrating a control circuit for the control decoder (378) of FIG. 16 is shown. This control decoder (378) is a game maker (74)
Alternatively, it functions as an interface between the control computer (32) and the video switch switching circuit.

The switching command for limiting the video signal transmission path is received by the RS422 type converter circuit (390) from the game maker (74) for the video switch (73),
For the related video switch (40), CO
The signal is received by the RS232 type converter circuit (392) from the M line (29). The received serial data is processed by a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter or UART (394), which converts the serial data into parallel data. For example, UART (394) is a commercial AY1
It may be a 015 type UART. The parallel data port of this UART (394) connects to a decoder circuit (396) and a latch circuit (398). Decoder circuit (396) is a commercially available 13
Includes Type 8 3-8 line decoder / demultiplexer. The latch circuit (398) includes eight commercially available Type 259 8-bit addressable latch circuits. The latch circuit (398) can be expanded to 64 individually addressable outputs. This addressable output controls the switching of the switch blocks (370, 372, 374, 376) to perform the desired video switching arrangement.

The 64 available addressable outputs selectively attach 10 control signal lines. First, second and third video input switch signal lines VIS1, VIS2, VIS3 are connected to three control channels (C1-C3) of a video input switch box (370). Thus, each signal line VIS1, VIS2, VIS3 contains four addressable means, and three analog switches (382,383,384) A,
Connect to terminals B, C and I (see Fig. 17). A third video input signal, VIS3, is also connected to the normally closed fixed contact of switch (S1). An audio switch signal line AS is connected to the normally open fixed contact of the switch (S1). This switch (S1) is manually set, and in the normal position, the audio switch control input (C1) connects to the third video input switch signal line VIS3. As a result, the signal on the third video input switch line VIS3 is connected to the video switch (370) connected to the remote terminal (21).
And the output channel (01) of the audio switch (376). This results in the only signal meeting the video transmission line (61) and the audio transmission line (68), respectively, requiring that audio and video signals be simultaneously switched to the remote terminal (21). Conversely, the switch (S1) is connected to the audio signal line AS independently of the video input switch (370).
The audio signal (37
6) is operably controlled. This feature can be used, for example, when an operator using a microphone wants to talk to an individual at a remote terminal (21).

The control decoder (378) controls the video monitor switches (372L, 372L, 372) on each video switch signal line VS1, VS2, VS3.
372R, 372S) and controls the position of each of the associated analog switches (386), as described above. The control decoder (378) is connected to the control channels (C1 to C3) of the video output switch (374) and three relays (R1 to R3) on three video output switch signal lines VOS1, VOS2 and VOS3, As already mentioned,
It controls the switching of the video output switch (374). Each video monitor and output signal lines VS1, VS2, VS
3, VOS1, VOS2, VOS3 are connected to the four addressable outputs and actuate the associated switches (386) (see FIG. 18) or switches (382,383,384) (see FIG. 17).

The control decoder circuit (378) includes commercially available power up reset circuit elements and a clock circuit. The received serial input to the UART (394) is exchanged for 8-bit parallel data. Three parallel data lines are connected to the decoder line (39
Sent to 6) to select one of the eight 259-type addressable latch circuits. Four data lines from the UART (394) are used for the address and data input of the Type 259 addressable latch circuit. The eight addressable latch circuits provide eight outputs each and are applied to the 64 available addressable output channels.

In normal boring operation, the control decoder (378)
Controls the analog switch (386) of the video monitor switch (372) to transmit the video signal enlarged by the game maker (74) to the associated monitor (20L, 20R, 22). Typically, the video input switch (370) and the audio switch (376) do not provide a correlation between the associated input and output channels. Similarly, the video output switch (374) does not normally transmit information over the recording transmission line (70). If the transmission of a video signal is desired, and in the case of a remote terminal (21) the transmission of an audio signal from the video source means (52) to a particular game maker monitor, the control decoder (378) will Switch (37
0) and the switching of the video monitor switch (372) to control the appropriate transmission path from the global video line (61) connected to the selected video source (52) (see FIG. 2). Transmit the desired video signal to the selected monitor. For example, if the control decoder (378) wishes to display on a remote monitor (22) using a video tape attached to a video source (52) connected to a fourth video transmission line (61). 3 video input switch signal lines VIS
3 is commanded to provide a correlation between the fourth input channel (14) and the third output channel (03) of the video input switch (370). Also, the signal on the third video switch signal line VS3 causes the analog switch (386) of the third video monitor switch (375) to:
The first input is connected to the output, and the composite video signal on the fourth video transmission line is exchanged for the RGB video of the converter circuit (385) and then transmitted to the remote monitor (22) for display. Displaying a video program from a source means (52) in a switching arrangement as described above is also used in tournament mode. However, in tournament mode, the global video circuit (6
1) Originally a game. Scores generated by manufacturers (74)
The sheet display is transmitted and transmitted via the recording transmission line (70) to the supervising video switch (40), which is connected to the global video line as described below. Operating the video output switch (374) to transmit video information from the game maker (74) to the general control unit (76) will be described in detail later.

Within the central boring mechanism, a video switch (73) associated with a multi-lane pair controller (16) can be used to simultaneously display information from a single video transmission line (61). This is generally achieved even if a particular video transmission to each lane pair controller (16) is started simultaneously. Otherwise, control the switching to the first video switch (7) using a special video line.
3) is used exclusively until the end of the transmission and is then switched to another video switch (73) to receive the video information. Conversely, a single video switch (73)
Only the video recording transmission circuit (70) can be obtained at any time.

Remote Location Terminal Referring to FIG. 20, a block diagram of a remote location terminal (21) including a remote location monitor (22) and a keyboard (24) is shown. This remote position monitor (22) is a commercially available RGB-type monitor, and a video switch (73).
The monitor (22) is activated upon receiving the green, blue and synchronization signals. This remote position monitor (22) has one pixel per pixel.
Bytes of data can display 640 x 204 pixels.
This display simultaneously displays up to 256 different colors on the screen. Also, the speaker (390) is connected to the video switch (73), and the video switch (7) is connected.
3) Transmit audio information in response to the audio signal received from the audio switch (376).

The remote location keyboard (24) contains a total of 16 keys, organized into three groups. The number keys are
Organized in a phone-style keypad format,
Numbers 0-9 are printed. Four preliminarily limited function keys are provided, and characters of “progress”, “execution”, “return”, and “input” are printed, respectively. Two additional non-limiting function keys are also provided. Pressing any of these keys emits a particular data signal. These serial data displays are transmitted from the RS232 type communication interface circuit (78) to the local COM line (75).

Ball orbit device Ball orbit device (80) is manufactured by Micronics (Micr
onix, Inc.). This ball orbiting device is, for example, an overhead monitor (20L, 20L).
R) includes video cameras mounted between and targets both lanes of a lane pair. Ball trajectory device
A control circuit responsive to a video image signal emitted by the camera is included to store data representing the position and velocity of the ball as it travels through the lane. The ball orbiter (80) also includes a transmission circuit similar to that shown in FIG. 13 and interfaces to a local COM line (75). Such a ball tracking device has been partially assigned to the applicant of the present invention. U.S. Patent Application No. 170,268, filed March 18, 1988, entitled "Video Tracking and Display Mechanism", is disclosed by Gartraud et al., The specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. . Further, the ball trajectory device (80) can be used to obtain pin fall data used by the game maker (74) under the control of the game control program.

The ball trajectory device (80) transmits a trajectory data set containing parameters measured while the bowling ball is traveling on the lane surface to the game maker (74) on demand. Each data set consists of eight centers of 1/16 unit ball x-y grid positions measured at or near a pre-defined zone and at 14.6 m (= 48 feet). ), The center of the ball x-grid position, the front and rear velocities in units of 4.47 cm / sec (= 0.1 mile / hour), and the angle of incidence for the pin area in units of 1/10 degree. Is a record that includes This ball trajectory data is transmitted to the game maker (74) via the COM line (75). The data received at the game maker (74) is then stored by the remote terminal user for modification and display and can be displayed under game control on one or both of the overhead monitors (20L, 20R).

A large-capacity orbit data storage request is established in the game maker memory. Some or all of this data is transmitted to the supervision computer (32) and the league record service computer (36). The memory is included in the game maker (74) and stores trajectory data for the 10 pin games in all leagues. Therefore, the data storage request is
Assuming there is enough memory for the game needs,
Determined for each game.

Turning to FIG. 21, a block diagram of the ball trajectory data management circuit is shown. In this block diagram, the blocks enclosed by solid lines represent hardware devices that include a memory portion in the game maker (74), and the blocks enclosed by dotted lines represent software tasks or routines.

The ball trajectory manager was cited as the ball trajectory table manager (400) and the ball trajectory display manager (402). Includes two separate and different modules. Ball trajectory table manager (400) is an isolated task, remote terminal manager task (404)
Is given to the game maker (74) by the supervising computer (32). This module is
It is generated by the remote terminal manager (404) as a separate task during terminal manager initialization and exists as part of the memory partition associated with the remote monitor (22).

Ball trajectory table manager task (402) is C
Monitors the ball trajectory receive message buffer (406) maintained by the OM line (75), updates and maintains the ball trajectory data table (408) in the DRAM (202), and in the CMOS RAM (206). Updates and holds the ball trajectory correction table (410) in, adds ball trajectory correction data to the ball trajectory device (80) as required, receives a mechanism damage detection message from the ball trajectory device (80), The ball orbiter hardware status is relayed to the control computer (32).

The ball trajectory manager (402) is treated as an integral part of the remote terminal manager task (404) in a set of sub-procedures. Control the remote keyboard (2
In response to the request for ball trajectory display from 4), it is sent to the ball trajectory display manager (402). The ball trajectory display manager (402) checks the validity of the ball trajectory correction table (410), converts the ball trajectory information from the ball trajectory device (80) into a lane graphic frame based on the ball trajectory, and performs the ball trajectory display operation. Monitor the middle remote monitor (22).

The procedure of the ball trajectory table manager task (402) for data transmission consists of the left and right lanes (412, 4
13) table retention and progress task (411)
Receiving a ball transmission signal from one of the games. Ball track device (80)
Transmits the ball trajectory data set to the local COM line (75) in response to such a request. The COM watcher task (414) converts the received message into CMOS RAM (20
6) Ball trajectory right or left lane message in
Transmit to the buffer (406). The ball trajectory table manager task (400) is started periodically by the game maker activation mechanism and calls the COM READ utility sub-procedure (416) in EPROM (204). If COM READ
When returns to the "zero" value, the message remains.
Otherwise, if the COM READ procedure (416) returns to a non-zero integer, the data message remains. Thereafter, the ball trajectory table manager task (400) determines which bowler is involved in the data by the game control program, and stores the ball trajectory data.
Suitable ball trajectory table (408) in COM RAM (206)
To be transmitted.

The ball trajectory manager task (402) is used by the user at the remote keyboard (24) to select a ball trajectory menu item, as described in more detail below. Upon such a request, the remote terminal manager task (404) transfers control to the ball trajectory manager (402). The ball trajectory manager (402) starts up and invokes the menu display utility, displaying a menu containing a numbered list of bowler names in the left lane on the left side of the screen and the right lane on the right side of the screen. , Remote location terminal
A utility is called to request a user input number corresponding to the name of a bowler whose trajectory is to be displayed. If the user
When the correct number is entered on the keyboard (24), the display manager (402) generates a pointer to a custom lane image (418) stored in the DRAM (202) and stores the custom lane image in the remote monitor video RAM. (251) and the ball trajectory buffer (40) for the specific lane and bowler
The pointer is transmitted to 6), the pointer is transmitted to the ball correction table (410), the pointer is transmitted to the lane graphic correction table (420) in the DRAM (207), and the pointer is transmitted to the ball trajectory data table (408). Outgoing.

A correction update is in progress for the indicated lane, a data record update is in progress for the indicated bowler, the requested data record is not currently present in the data table, or is present. If the data does not meet the established validity limits, an indication is displayed on the remote monitor (22) that the requested ball trajectory data is currently unavailable. Otherwise, display manager (402)
Transmits the data to the reference display frame using the correction and correction data tables (410, 420), respectively, in a known manner and stores the ball image (I) from the memory block (422).
cons), the ball image is specified by data conversion, and transmitted to a position on the display.

When the data display is completed, the display manager (402) also displays a message on the remote monitor for the user and presses a preselected key to obtain a certain menu. If the pre-selected key is not pressed within a pre-selected time, the display manager (402) stops controlling the remote terminal manager (404). If a preselected key is pressed, a ball trajectory option menu is displayed, allowing the user to view the trajectory of the second ball or return to the main menu for another bowler. If no selection is made within a pre-selected time, control to the remote terminal manager task (404) will stop. However, when a selection is made, control continues according to the particular selection made.
For example, if the user selects another bowler, the display manager operates as described above to display the selected data.

In addition, the ball trajectory management mechanism can be used in combination with a bowler input station (18) and overhead monitors (20L, 20R) to display a ball trajectory display thereon.

As part of the game control, any of the ball trajectory parameters can be combined with an overhead / display monitor (20L, 20
R) It can be displayed simultaneously on the top. In particular, the ball is thrown and the data set is stored in the ball trajectory table (408).
Is stored in the game, the game maker (74) accesses the data selected therefrom under game control,
It can be integrated on the overhead monitor record display. For example, the game program can display the front-end speed, the ball position at 13.7 m (= 45 feet) and the angle of incidence on the overhead monitor (20) as part of the game record display. Also, other combinations of parameters can be selected and displayed, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Communication Global COM line (27) and local COM line (29,7
5) is used for data communication between the parent and child stations as described above. Communication control at each station is performed using an Intel 8344 processor. The parent station always controls a COM line that is correlated with only one parent station given per COM line. Also, the parent station initiates all communications on the COM line, sends a message to the child station, and waits for the child station to send a reply or time out. Child stations are only allowed to reply on request. Child stations cannot send their own messages. This communication mechanism is in the form of a branch structure. If the parent station is disabled, the COM line will be disabled. Conversely, even if the child station is disabled,
It only prevents communication with the parent station. CO
The transmission and receiver connected to the M line transmits and receives data according to the EIA RS485 type standard specification. This specification is
A logical value is determined to be "0" and "1" by a voltage in a pair of conductors in the line.

COM Line Data Transmission The local COM line data link protocol uses a subset of the IBM Synchronous Data Link Controller (SDLC) standard. This protocol is primarily responsible for commanding and data information of information frames and controlling the transmission of information frames over COM lines. This information frame is used via a COM line in a standard format defined by the SDLC protocol. The format for this information frame is shown in FIG. An information frame consists of two flag fields and one address
Field, one control field, one information field, and one information frame check sequence (FCS) field. The flag field is used as a marker to mark the start and end of an information frame, and to use the pattern "01" defined by the SDLC specification.
111110 ". The address field is used to determine which child station correlates with a particular information frame. The address field is a single byte in length, contains values from 1 to 250, and the maximum number of child stations is allowed. The control field is a single byte field used for status and control exchange between the parent and child stations. This field indicates two modes of operation, director and information. Supervision mode is specifically designed to allow the parent station to transmit status between itself and the child station. Information frames sent in this mode are used by the parent station to poll the child station and the child station to acknowledge or deny receipt of a valid information frame from the parent station. The information mode is
Used for message transmission. When operating in the information mode, the information field contains data to communicate for the parent and child stations. Otherwise, the information field is not used. The FCS field gives error detection to the COM line.

The communication protocol is a half duplex type of SDLC. Request for operation, request for information and status, and transmission of information
Different directives can be used. The request for operation is transmitted from the parent station to the child station. The child station receives the request with an acknowledgment or a negative acknowledgment. The child station signals the end or non-end of the requested operation polling at the next time.

Requests for information and status are generated by a specified response from the child station to the parent station. In particular, a response is made the next time the child station polls. In general, COM line control is based on all associated parent CPUs.
Initiated by parent station when requested at (200). However, the parent station is programmed to poll every child station independently, causing information to be returned when it is ready. Parent station, C
The OM CPU (230) performs this polling function and the parent C
PU (200) is COM until the next station information is transmitted.
It can perform different tasks than those specified for the line.

The transmission of information includes the provision of programs and other information. Since this transmission occurs in one block at a certain time, the data to be transmitted does not need to be empty data, and thus the COM line is effectively used.

COM line control software 1. Parent station controller As shown in Fig. 12B, G
The COM CPU (230) operates as a master station controller of the global COM line (27), and the LCOM CPU (230) operates as a master station controller of the supervising local COM line (29). When used as a game maker (74), the LCOM CPU
(230) operates as a parent station controller of the game maker local COM line (75). In each of the above cases, the COM line parent station controller handles the physical interface with the corresponding COM line. The parent station controller also handles all message delivery, secondary timeout detection, and boring of all connected child stations. The software modules used for control by the parent station include: That is, initialization, task processing, FIFO conversion processing, transmission
FIFO read, receive FIFO write, FIFO (first in first out) checksum error processing, transmission processing, boring processing, and query processing.

The initialization module sets the controller to parent station mode and sets the transmit and receive buffers. The task processing module is used to perform the operations of the remaining modules except the FIFO checksum error processing module and the query processing module.

The FIFO conversion processing module is used to indicate whether data received by either the write FIFO (239) or the read FIFO (240) has been converted. The transfer FIFO read mode is used when data is received and transferred from the read FIFO (240) to the BD BUS (217). Similarly, the receive FIFO write module uses when the write FIFO (239) is then transmitted to the correlated COM line.

The transmission processing module is used to transmit the command to the secondary station. The boring processing module periodically drills the child station to determine if the data is available for transmission to the parent station. The query processing module is used to transmit a query command to the child station.

2. Child station controller Global COM line The child station controller, the GCOM CPU (230) of each game maker (74) controls the physical interface to the global COM line (27). The software modules used to control the global COM line station are: That is, initialization, task processing, FIFO conversion processing, transmission FIFO reading, reception FIFO writing, FIFO checksum error processing, and transmission processing. These modules operate similarly to the above for the parent station.

3. Internal communication of the supercomputer The parent CPU (200) of the supercomputer (32) and GCOM and
Communication between the LCOM CPUs (230) is performed using software modules such as: OS-9 device driver, COM talker, COM watcher, initialization, transmit FIFO write, receive FIFO interrupt handling, FIFO conversion Processing, and FI
FO checksum error processing.

The OS-9 device driver module is called upon a request from the OS-9 operating mechanism in a subroutine amendment as follows. These routines allow the operation of other modules at the time of the call. The COM talker module is an interface between application processes such as, for example, a lane control process or a game control process, and an OS-9 for transmitting data to the global COM line (27) or the head office COM line (29). Device driver. The COM watcher module reconstructs the message from the COM line (27 or 29) and delivers it to the appropriate usage process. The transfer FIFO write module transfers data to the write FIFO (239) for transfer on the COM line (27 or 29). The receive FIFO interrupt processing module controls transmission of data from the read FIFO (240) to the parent CPU (200) in response to the CDAV interrupt signal from the read status latch (245). The FIFO interrupt handling mode is used when a signal is received, indicating that the data has been inverted, eg, invalidated. FIFO checksum
The error handling module initiates a FIFO diagnostic operation and
Gives a signal that the M-line receive operation is inactive.

4.Internal communication of game maker Parent CPU (200) of game maker (74) and GCOM and LCOM
Communication between the CPUs (230) is controlled to buffer data to and from the corresponding associated COM line (27,75). COM
When data is received by either CPU (230) from the line (27 or 75), an interrupt signal CDAV is issued by the read status latch circuit (245) (No. 12B
), And transmitted to the interrupt control (224). In response, the parent CPU (200) processes the received data according to the priority associated with the interrupt. COM from parent CPU (200)
Data transmission to either line (27 or 75)
Time slice driven, as described in more detail below for game maker software.

5. Internal communication format In Fig. 23, the parent CPU (200) and GCOM or LCOM CPU
The format used for data command or data format transmission during (230) is shown. This format is used for internal communication of both the supervising computer (32) and the game maker (74). In particular, the "command" is COM
Transmitted to the child station over the line,
It is transmitted to the child station via the COM line. The "data format" or reply is transmitted to the parent CPU (200) and is generally received by the parent station from the child station.

For transmitting the command signal data from the parent CPU (200) to the write FIFO (239), the start and end flag fields are used as markers, and the start and end of the data to be transmitted are displayed. The station address field indicates the child station carrying the information. The control byte field indicates the length of the command or information field. The SDLC-Information field contains the command reference number, auxiliary address, and special command information. The auxiliary address field relates to whether the transmitted information relates to the left lane, the right lane, both lanes or all devices of the transmitting station. The FCS field is used to provide error detection.

The data transmission format for the read FIFO (240) data format signal between the parent CPU (200) is that the station address field indicates the address of the COM line child station where the data is received, and the first part of the information field is the data Similar to the above, except that it includes a type signal reference number.

Game Maker Local COM Line Communication On the Game Maker Local COM Line (75), the game maker (74) has a game setter (76), It is a parent station with a child station such as an RS232 converter (78).

1. Game Maker / Game Setter For communication between the game maker (74) and the game setter (76), each command contains a specific command and a number that identifies the lane of the lane pair associated with this command. This command is normally issued by the game maker (74) under the control of the game program and transmitted over the COM line to control the operation of the game setter (76) and thus the pin setting machine (14). A partial list of COM line commands to the game setter (76) is given in Table 1.

Table 1 Instruction number reading, pick-up and cleaning, cleaning and setting, return, frame throwing, pin pattern confirmation.

The command "Read Pin" command causes existing pins standing on the deck of the selected lane to be read. In particular, this command causes the game setter (76) to execute the “read pin” operation described in the section “Game setter operation”. On the other hand, the game setter (76) obtains pin remaining data from the optical scanner (86). The game setter (76) responds by sending pin remaining data to the game maker (7
4).

The "pick up and cleaning" command causes the game setter (76) to execute "pick up and cleaning" described in the chapter "game setter operation". In particular, in response to this command, the game setter (76) performs a read of the pin operation, and if necessary, if desired, lifts the remaining pins, removes the fallen pins from the deck, and leaves the remaining pins on the deck. Replace the pin. Thereafter, the pin setting machine (14) returns to the "original" position.

The "clean and set" command causes the lane to clean the deck pins and set a new pattern included in the command. In particular, the game setter (76) executes the pin setting operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. The pin pattern setting is included in the 2-byte portion of the information field for the information frame (see FIG. 22), and has logical information corresponding to the pin position where the pin should be set.

The "return" command instructs the game setter (76) to position the pin setting machine (14) at the original position. This command is usually issued after the "read pin" command.

According to the specific game program being run,
The game maker (74) can control the motion of all pin setting machines (14) during the game competition. In addition, games
Since the program can add frame information, within a specific bowling frame, the game setter (76) does not receive a provisional command from the game maker (74) and the pin setting machine (14)
Control the operation of.

In order to throw a frame used to limit the entire boring frame, the “throw frame” command of the “1” must identify the starting pin pattern and limit the number of attempts to create the pattern, that is, the total number of pin falls. When "frame throw" is instructed, the game setter (76) sets the pins of the selected pattern to be operable as described above, and then selectively sets the pins to the bowler until all the pins fall down. Compete to throw the maximum number of balls allowed in the frame.
Also, the frame is optionally set when the foul detector (92) detects a step over of the player's foul line,
Terminates automatically. Once the frame ends, the game setter (76) stops operating the pin setting machine (14) until the game maker (74) issues a next command such as "progress to the next frame".

Some games cannot be limited by using frames, but game setters (76) are continuously provided by game makers (74).
Since each game setter (76) is allowed to make the mechanical operation of the related pin setting machine (14) more appropriate due to the fact that it is not necessary to wait for the command from It is desirable to use.

The "Check Pin Pattern" directive is used to determine which pins are standing on the deck.
Pin remaining data is obtained by performing a read of the pin operation or by using a pin fall scanner (86).

A partial list of game setter data formats or responses is given in Table 2 below. Certain of these responses are delivered as a result of commands issued by the game maker (74). Other responses are voluntary, and the game maker (74)
When the game is periodically polled, lane status information is added to the game maker (74). In particular, the "ball Sen Table 2 Number Response commanded operations to complete in commanded operation progresses, commanded operation aborted, ball sensor startup, bottles remaining data.

The response "start of sa" indicates that the ball has been thrown. The "pin remaining data" response is issued after the lane has been commanded to read the remaining pins,
Two bytes containing pin remaining information are partially included.
For example, "1" indicates a remaining pin, while "0" indicates a falling pin.

2. Game maker remote keyboard or bowler input station Game maker (74) sends R via local COM line (75)
Communicate with the remote keyboard using the S232 type converter circuit (78) (see FIG. 13). The bowler input station (18) contains a converter circuit (see FIG. 14). Communication is performed through this local COM line (75). Game maker (74)
The commands transmitted from these to these devices include a configuration block command, a beta transmission stop command, a delivery data restart command, and a data input command. The configuration block command contains information limiting the type of device, data transmission speed and data transmission format. The data suspend and resume commands are used to control when the addressed child device should stop or start delivering data to the game maker (74), respectively. Data input commands are used to deliver specific data to be triggered by the addressed device. For example, a data entry command may be issued to any key display (358) on the bowler entry station keypad (328).
Used to select whether to backlit by.

The bowler input station (18) and the remote keyboard (24) sequentially transmit serial data to the game maker (74). Especially. Each data type response received by the LCOM CPU (230) indicates the key on the respective keyboard that the user pressed.

3. Game Maker / Ball Orbit Device Communication between the game maker (74) and the ball orbit device (80) includes a ball trajectory data request command and a restart command, and the restart command is a ball orbit device (80) Parameters for obtaining the ball trajectory data used in the above are limited. In response to a data request from the game maker, the ball trajectory sensing device (80) transmits a data format or response including the data set to the game maker (74). In particular, the ball trajectory device (80) divides the lane into eight windows and transmits XY coordinate information for each window to indicate the far line and the distance of the ball from the left end of the lane. It also transmits data indicating the distance from the left edge of the lane at 13.7 m (= 45 feet), front-end speed, rear-end speed, and the angle of incidence of the ball at the pin.

This ball trajectory data is used for display on an overhead monitor (20) under control of the game program or for recording based on a specific game program, and for remote terminal (21) under control of a remote terminal manager task. ) Used to display in graphic format.

Game Maker Software The purpose of the game maker (74) is to automatically record a wide variety of different bowling games, to control the operation of the game setter (76), and to provide from the supervising computer (32). That is, the game score for the specific game is displayed on the overhead monitor (20L, 20R). The game maker also has a remote location terminal (2
Also controls the operation of 1). To perform these tasks, the game maker (74) needs a global COM line (27)
And a bowler input station (18), a remote location keyboard (24), a ball orbiter (80) and a game setter (76) via a local COM line (75). In addition, game makers
Equipped with means for transmitting video signals, displaying exciter-shaped figures to characterize important events during bowling games, displaying special figures and recording sheets for unusual bowling games, and for training purposes Display necessary shapes for.

The basic operation of the game maker (74) is determined based on the game maker operation mechanism, that is, GMOS. GMOS is stored in the game maker EPROM (204) (see FIG. 12A). Under the control of GMOS, software that can be provided to this mechanism is a game / game for one or both lanes.
Includes programs and programs for operating the remote location terminal (21). Typically, the game software and the remote location terminal software are provided from a supervising computer (32) via a global COM line (27). In addition, game and default programs for isolated bowling games are available in EPROM (20
4) is stored. The mode key switch (see FIG. 12B) determines which of the game programs to use for either one or both lanes. This is especially the case for two isolated games, one for 10-pin bowling in each lane and the other for a 10-pin league cross-lane game. The default bowling game has only minimal operation of the game maker (74) and does not permit bowling competition as described in more detail below.

Operation Mechanism GMOS is a general-purpose time slicing multitasking mechanism that emphasizes discard of control. GMOS does this by dividing the available real time in a known time slicing procedure, while providing task control pauses on a regular basis as required. A time slice is defined as the maximum amount of time each task can operate during a mechanism frame. The GMOS operating mechanism integrates the special capabilities described here to operate two different video displays in real time. Three video displays are supported, but only two displays are -Use a time mechanism. Additional monitors,
Can be supported if necessary.

The GMOS operation mechanism is a video mechanism repeat interrupt VIDEO1 INT
It operates on a time base of about 16-17 ms supplied by The GMOS operating mechanism also operates stepwise on this time base to convert the operating mechanism frame to video frame 1
Excitation is performed one by one. All tasks that require manipulation within a mechanism frame control the mechanism for each part of the mechanism frame. If the mechanism is overloaded, the GMOS operating mechanism will try to reduce the time slice time when a certain operating mechanism frame has been activated for more than 16 milliseconds, as close as possible to the 16 millisecond time base. I do. The size of this time slice is
It changes at 11 ms for tasks and 5-13 ms for non-video tasks at 2 ms intervals. Despite the overload, all scheduled non-video tasks will work on this mechanism frame. This mechanism typically stays near the time base of 16 milliseconds and processes up to three tasks continuously.

The timing of this mechanism is performed in a frame that is a mechanism frame, except for all video tasks. These mechanism frames have a timing length of 16-17 ms for all practical purposes, but the mechanism is slightly longer during overload. In an underloaded condition, excess time is wasted on the "dummy" task of the mechanism. At each mechanism frame, the mechanism performs the necessary mechanism processing, and then executes the task dispatcher. The task dispatcher runs the in-use task list to control each task scheduled for operation in the current mechanism frame. The task may be time-sliced, except when interrupted, when the task returns control to the mechanism at any time, uses the current mechanism frame time allocation, or is activated by the video task. Until you maintain control. In the latter case, the task redevelops execution in the current mechanism frame if the time left in the current allocation is significant.

Based on the execution in the mechanism frame, after executing all tasks, the mechanism receives the final mechanism processing and then the frame ends. This final mechanism processing involves analyzing how much time has elapsed in this frame and adjusting the size of the time slice. If there is no video repeat interrupt during the mechanism frame, the mechanism starts a dummy task looping in user mode until a video interrupt is received. This causes the user mode task operation of the mechanism to be executed if the interrupt initiates video task operation.

According to a preferred embodiment, no more than 30 tasks can exist simultaneously at any time. Examples of such tasks include a left lane game task and a right lane game task.
Tasks, and remote location tasks. further,
Each task may create necessary or desired sub-tasks based on specific processing requirements. This mechanism has the ability to operate up to two video tasks.
The video task operates on any task running on the mechanism as well, except for the control of the mechanism video subroutine for operation. The video task initiates operations at a particular video frame that is close to a particular number of video halflines. The video frame is a trace of the entire video screen starting from the start of the lower boundary, and the video repeat interrupt VI
That's where DEO1 INT happens.

The two video tasks are intended to use each of the two overhead display monitors (20L, 20R). Therefore, non-game tasks are not usually video tasks. In fact, if a non-game task controls a video subroutine, the game task may not be able to control the video subroutine when needed.

A task control block or TCB is correlated with each task and contains all the data associated with this task. TC
B has space to store all states of the parent CPU, ie, all data and address registers, PC and status registers, and the user memory stack. It also includes a "sleep timer", which defines the amount of time that must elapse in the device before the task is next started. The TCB also includes status bits to indicate critical information to the task dispatcher. In particular, the D-bit is set when the task is stopped, the S-bit is set when the last time to lose control of the task results in a time slice, and the task is set to one of two video tasks. Set the V-bit, and set the P-bit if the task is already processing in the current mechanism frame. Also, two video blocks are provided, each corresponding to one of the two video tasks. The video block contains data about the number of video frames to elapse before the video task controls and the number of video halflines to start control.

As mentioned earlier, the GMOS operating mechanism is a real-time
Supports two video tasks that use video processing. These tasks may require control on any given line in a given video frame. If both video tasks are requested to control in the same mechanism frame, the more recently controlled task will be
The other task is assigned to control of the mechanism frame, and the other task is assigned to control of the next mechanism frame. In this way, if the video task requests several counts of the same mechanism frame, a phase change occurs after the first concurrent request has been made. A video task requiring start every mechanism frame is started at the absence of another video task. Two video tasks that require control per mechanism frame completely interleave the mechanism frames, and one video task that requires control per mechanism frame is a video task that requires control per another mechanism frame. Does not interfere with Certain video tasks are restricted to run in the mechanism frame in which they begin. If a video repeat interrupt is entered while one video task is running, a time slice will occur and then recover on the next repeat interrupt. The video task's video frame counter takes into account that the time sliced task does not have the notion that a mechanism frame has elapsed during its execution.

The GMOS operation mechanism includes coordination software for task management by this mechanism, and provides these functions to the task itself for management of sub-tasks created by the task. The operating mechanism includes management of the dynamic RAM to which the software is to be added, and a mechanism that allows the boundaries and sizes to be modified without changing the software of the mechanism. This mechanism maintains and verifies the jump area in CMOS RAM where critical parts of the ROMized software are patched. This mechanism provides for the dynamic allocation of RAM blocks and the movement of task stacks into such blocks.

The executable software of the GMOS operating mechanism is divided into several modules. The vector module contains a global mechanism jump table that the rest of the mechanism uses to interface the GMOS mechanism. The jump table is designed to give all mechanism points to a fixed address so that changes to the mechanism do not affect the user interface. Some mechanism modules include initialization, error handling, and a task dispatcher. This module also includes optional mechanism return point and time slice task switchers and interrupt handling for real time clock / calendar, video repeat interrupt and video line interrupt. Utility modules include software for allocating and freeing utility routines for the task dispatcher and task switcher and creation of new tasks, memory block and user stack multiplexing routines.

The coordination module contains task coordination software that stops, starts, kills, and retrieves the presence of other tasks. The operation module includes all software related to the operation of the central boring control mechanism. This module includes a key switch state-based start operation, a game and remote software application and start COM interface, an isolated and assignable bowling game transmission and start and initial remote location terminal program, and a key. Includes a GMOS utility task that continuously monitors the switch and keeps track of the software currently in use on both lanes and remote locations. A hardware module encompasses all software that can be applied to any hardware device. CMOS
The module contains software that initializes and activates the CMOS vector patch location, and also contains an assignment label within the CMOS vector patch area. The RAM module contains a GMOS RAM limitation, which is a globally labeled file that defines the mechanism RAM.

24A-C, a flow chart illustrating the operation of the GMOS operating mechanism is shown.

When the game maker is first activated or the mechanism reset is initiated in any known manner, the activation of the diagnostic routine is performed automatically. Thereafter, the GMOS operating mechanism jumps to the first vector and is launched. Assuming GMOS is already in supervisor mode, supervisor stack pointer is
Dot somewhere in RAM.

The operation starts at a block (430) where the game maker hardware has been initialized. The hardware initialization operably masks all interrupts, operably erases the mechanism DRAM memory (202), operably initializes the video circuit (246), and allows global data from certain tables to be initialized.
Attach video hardware parameters to hardware register list, initialize global video write mask, initialize color palette circuit (259,260,261) for each video monitor and enable all three displays And initializing the calendar clock circuit (221).

As described above, each task includes a TCB. At block (432), a free task control block list is created. This list is linked to all TCB lists. As each task is created, the created task stores a specific TCB using a free task control block from the free TCB list. Thereafter, a free memory block is created in block (434). This free memory block list is a linked list of available memory and is generally available.

The CMOS RAM patch location is initialized at block (436). As mentioned earlier, the software for the GMOS operating mechanism, the isolated bowling game and the graphics library is EPRO
Stored in M (204). This software is often modified. Such modifications include EPROM (204)
Need to be replaced or reprogrammed. Such an operation is difficult and expensive if a large number of game controllers (74) of game makers are set in the field. Therefore, the software writes the patch location in the CMOS RAM (206) so that it can be accessed at any time. The CMOS RAM patch location may be used to retrieve software patches from the supervising computer (32) to correct malfunctions in the mechanism operation or to make changes. In this way, any such changes can be easily made to provide a temporary "fix" before reprogramming or replacing the EPROM (204).

The size of the default mechanism time slice is stored in EPROM (204) of block (438). In the preferred embodiment, the default mechanism time slice size is 11 milliseconds for video tasks and 13 milliseconds for non-video tasks.
Milliseconds. The size of the time slice for non-video tasks is variable as described below.

At block (440), the COM interface is initialized. This interface relates to the communication between the parent CPU (200) and the GCOM-LCOM CPU (230) as described above in the communication section. This interface contains the software used to apply and launch the game and remote location terminal software from the supervising computer (32).

The interrupt mask is removed at block (442). In particular, GMOS utilizes the video mechanism repeat interrupt VID EO1 INT to limit the mechanism frame and the calendar clock interrupt CLRQ that occurs every 2 ms during mechanism operation. Calendar clock interrupts are used to determine when to time slice a particular task.

At block (444), the trap instruction is stored in the mechanism DRAM memory (202). These traps are used as a safety feature to transfer control back from the "runaway" program to the mechanism.

The GMOS utility task starts at block (446). The utility task operably monitors the state of the mode key switch (226) and operably monitors the number of active tasks. Active tasks are any tasks that can be operated by this mechanism. The utility task can operate, for example, eight mechanism frames sequentially, for example, about every 1/8 second.

At block (448), the COM utility task is started. Especially in this regard, the parent CPU (200) and GCOM-LCOM C
Communication between the PUs (230) to transmit and receive data to and from the corresponding global and local COM lines (27, 75) is enabled. This task monitors the communication interrupt CDAV and communicates control to the interface in response. Once the communication process is over, control returns to this mechanism.

As described above, the mode key switch (226)
Can be manually set to any one of the four positions. These four positions are: isolated league game, isolated start game, regular or diagnostic. Decision block (450)
Determines whether the key switch (226) is in the isolated league position. If so, the game program for the isolated league game is block (452) and the EPROM
The data is transmitted from (204) to the DRAM (202). The league program operates both lanes of the lane versus the lane to compete in a standard league 10 pin cross lane bowling. After this, the game software blocks (45
Start with 4). Game start involves the occurrence of a single game task at the league entry point of the copy in DRAM (202).

If it is determined at decision block (450) that the mode key switch (226) is not in an isolated league position, this decision block (456)
26) is determined at the isolation start position. If so, at block (458), the game program for the isolated start game is placed from ERPOM (204) in the left lane
To the first block of DRAM (202) for program and DRAM (202) for right lane game program
Is transmitted to the second block. Thus, each of the two lanes of the lane pair independently activates the starting bowling game. Thereafter, at block (460), the game program for each lane is started, creating two game tasks for the left and right lanes, respectively.

If, at decision block (456), it is determined that the mode key switch (226) is not at the isolated start position, decision block (462) determines whether the key switch is at the proper position. I do. If so, at block (464) the default game program
The data is transmitted from the PROM (204) to the first block of the left lane DRAM (202) and the second block of the right lane DRAM as described above. The default game software prevents the mechanism from "closing", keeps the lane pair blank, and prohibits bowlers from playing the game. The default game program starts at block (466) and creates two game tasks. After this, block (468)
Software that operates the remote location terminal (21) at the global computer line (7
5) granted through. This assignment is performed only when the key switch (226) is in the correct position, since it is assumed that the isolated game is used only when the global COM line (27) is inoperable. However, the mechanism may be modified so that the remote location software is applied independent of the position of the mode key. The remote location software is started at block (470) and creates a remote location task. The operation of this remote location software is described in detail below, corresponding to the remote location terminal operation.

If it is determined at decision block (462) that the mode key switch (226) is not in the correct position,
Whether or not the switch (226) is at the diagnosis position is determined at the determination position (472). If so, the key diagnostics program runs to block (474), followed by restarting the mechanism. If switch (226) is not in the diagnostic position, the mechanism will display an error at block (470) and the mechanism will restart.

Control proceeds from any of the blocks (454, 460 or 470) to the task dispatcher (478) (see FIG. 24B). A task dispatcher is used to coordinate the processing between the active tasks of this mechanism. The dispatcher uses the task status word for each task to determine which specific tasks to operate and when.

The task dispatcher operation starts at block (480) and sets a pointer to the active task list. Thereafter, at block (482), the variable A is set equal to N (where N is the number of active tasks in the active task list). Also,
The variable X is set to be equal to “0”. This variable X represents the number of tasks processed by the task dispatcher. Thereafter, in a block (484), the variable X is increased by "1", and in a decision block (486), it is determined whether or not the variable X is larger than the variable A. If the current number of tasks being processed is greater than the number of tasks in the active task list, variable X will be greater than variable A. If the result of the determination in decision block 486 is that variable X is not greater than variable A, then in block 488 the task dispatcher calls task X from the active task list. Thereafter, the mechanism uses the task status word to determine whether task X should be started.
In particular, by setting the P-bit in decision block (490),
Determine if this task has indicated that it has already been processed in this frame. Typically, the task dispatcher is processed by an active task in a mechanism frame, but the P-bit is not used because each task is processed only once in this mechanism frame.
However, GMOS is capable of advancing tasks to the front of the active task list and controls at the start of the mechanism frame. When this control occurs, the P-bit is set to advance the task dispatcher and does not start the task if this occurs during normal processing of the active task list. If the task dispatcher detects the setting of the P-bit, it erases the P-bit at block (492) and returns to block (484) to process the next task in the active task list. If the task has not yet been processed in this mechanism frame, the V-bit is set in decision block (494) to determine whether the task indicates that it is a video task.
Video tasks are not started in the same procedure as non-video tasks. Instead, the video task is started in conjunction with the refresh process. Thus, if the task is a video task, control returns to task (484) to advance to the next task on the active task list.

If the task is not a video task, decision block (496) determines whether the S-bit is set, indicating that the task has been sliced in the last mechanism frame. If this task has been sliced in the last mechanism frame, the task must be started and processing must continue where it left off in the previous mechanism frame. If the task was not sliced in the previous frame, decision block (498) determines whether the task has reached the awake time, ie, the sleep time is equal to "0". As described above, when a task goes to sleep, the sleep timer stores a value indicating how many of the continuing mechanism frames pass before the task awakes again, if the task is still awake If not, control returns to block (484) to process the next task. Blocks (4
If the task awake time has been reached, as determined in 98), a decision block (502) determines whether the D-bit is set, indicating that the task is in a stopped state. If the task is stopped, control proceeds to block (484) where it proceeds to the next task number.

If at block (496) it is determined that the task has already been sliced, or at block (502) it is determined that the task has not stopped, control is passed to the next step.
Proceeding to block (502) as shown in FIG. 24, the task (number X) is set to operate. The task is set to the operation and points to its associated TCB, restoring the mechanism registers to the state at the last time the task was started. As described above, the TCB stores all mechanism states. After this, the mechanism sends the current time in block (506).
It becomes the size of the slice.

The task time slice timer is a block (50
Start with 8). Thereafter, decision block (510) determines whether the video task is pending. The video task initiates an operation in a particular video frame that is close to a particular video halfline number. If the video task is pending, the task watcher operably grants a TCB for the task, returns it to a preselected memory location, and returns the video Set task operations. In both cases,
The task currently being set starts at block (514). When a task starts, the normal processing function of the task starts according to the specific task function.

Once the task has started, a decision block (516) determines whether the started task has entered any control stops. The state in which the task stops any control includes a task that has reached a sleep state, a video state, or a dead state. The sleep state occurs when a task has completed its required processing. When the task returns to sleep, the sleeve timer must be set to the number of mechanism frames that should have elapsed before the task regains control.
If the task wants to operate as a video task, the task arbitrarily stops control, and on which video line, specified by the number of previously elapsed video frames and half-lines, to expect control, You must indicate what control you expect. If the task is already a video
When it was a block, the data was
Fill the block. If not, the mechanism
Check if the block can be assigned to a task. The first limitation is that there are free video blocks available. When the processing of the task is completed, the task becomes dead and must not be included in the active task list. For example, when the game is over and a request for the provision of a new game is made from the supervising computer (32), the current game task is first dead.

If the task does not stop arbitrarily, a decision block (518) determines whether the time slice has ended. Time slice started at block (508)
When the timer exceeds the current time slice as determined in block (506), the time slice ends. If the started task is a video task, it is sliced by the VIDEO1 INT signal. If not, decision block (519) repeats video interrupt signal V
Determines whether IDEO1 INT has been input. If not, the mechanism returns to decision block (516) and the task continues. If a VIDEO1 INT is received, control returns to decision block (510) to determine if the video task is pending and the task will begin processing immediately using the task switcher as described above. . If the time slice ends as determined in decision block (518), the task is set to the slice state and the TCB status word S-bit is set equal to one of the blocks (520). Thereafter, control returns to block (484) to execute the next task in the active task list.

If the task voluntarily stops control, as determined in decision block (516), decision block (522)
Determines if this stop task is a video task. If not, the mechanism returns to block (484) to consider the next task. If the stop task is a video task that is controlled in response to the task switcher, the mechanism will block the time left in the time slice before the task switcher is activated in block (512).
It is determined whether or not it is sufficient to start the processing of the task of the number X set in 4). If not, control proceeds to block (520) where the task is set to a sliced state. If the time remaining is sufficient, at block (526) the task switch re-stores the settings of the switched task to set the residual time slice size and returns to block (508), Start the time slice timer. After this, the task is started at block (514).

The task dispatcher operably considers each task in the active task list using the cycle described above. Thus, each active task has the opportunity to control and execute processing within each mechanism frame. This mechanism frame is ideally constant for 16 milliseconds. However, depending on the number of tasks controlled within a mechanism frame and the length of processing time required for each such task, the mechanism frame can extend the mechanism frame time to 16 milliseconds or more. in this case,
The time slice time needs to be shortened so that the next frame time is as close as possible to 16 milliseconds. At the same time, if a special time is left in each frame, this time slice is extended and the task completes processing in the mechanism frame without re-slicing.

If the variable X exceeds the number A of active tasks, indicating that all active tasks have been processed as determined in decision block (486), the time slice size is set to the book ( 528). In particular, the mechanism time slice size is initially set to 13 milliseconds at block (438) (see FIG. 24B). If the elapsed time of this frame is greater than a preselected time, for example, 17 milliseconds, indicating an overload condition, the time slice size is reduced by 2 milliseconds at block (528) to 11 milliseconds. Milliseconds. Thus, in such an overloaded frame, the time slice size is reduced by 2 milliseconds. Conversely, if the elapsed time of the mechanism frame is less than a preselected time, for example, 16 milliseconds, the time slice size is increased by 2 milliseconds. time·
The slice size can vary from 5 to 13 milliseconds at 2 millisecond intervals. Using different time slice sizes, the mechanism can quickly bring the mechanism frame time up to 16 milliseconds when an overload occurs.
This change occurs quickly enough that the human eye cannot perceive it. A minimum time slice size of 5 milliseconds is repeatedly chosen to reduce the excitation effect due to processor state changes.

After this, the decision block (530) returns to the mode key (22
6) Determine if the position has changed. The position of this mode key (226) is monitored by a utility task. If the mode key has changed,
Control proceeds to decision block 450 (see FIG. 24A) to determine a new key position. If the key has not changed, decision block (532) determines whether a new game has been awarded. The COM utility task operably displays whether or not a new game has been provided from the supervising computer (32). Before granting a new game,
Old game tasks are advanced to the dead state. If a new game is awarded, the game blocks (534)
To generate a game task for the new game and attach this task to the active task list. In either case, then the decision block (536) determines whether a repeated video interrupt VIDEO1 INT has been received. As mentioned above, a video repeat interrupt is received every 16 milliseconds and is used to limit the start of a new mechanism frame. If a video repeat interrupt is received, control returns to block (480) to start a new mechanism frame. If not, there is time for the mechanism frame to remain. Since it is desirable to maintain the mechanism frame size at 16 milliseconds, the mechanism frame time must elapse before the start of the next frame. Therefore, a dummy task is set in block (538) and the dummy time slice size is used as determined in block (540). Thereafter, control proceeds to block (508) to start the dummy task.
The dummy task basically circulates in a loop until a frame VIDEO1 INT interrupt signal is received. Since a large time slice size is used for block (540), the dummy task remains active for the remainder of the mechanism frame time. At the end of this mechanism frame, the active mechanism proceeds as described above and returns to block (480) to start a new mechanism frame.

Game Software For game operation, a software program for the selected game is input to the DRAM memory (202). This game program is one of a plurality of game programs that the isolated game program transmitted from the EPROM (204) is input from the general computer (32) to the game maker (74). The game program includes game logic, including recording algorithms, score display specifications and other necessary graphic displays, and controls for the pin setter (14). The game program may display statistical information such as "Odds (advantages)" in which all standing pins have fallen. When you call the game, GM
The OS operation mechanism periodically gives the game software control of the game maker (74) as described above.

The game maker (74) can control the game in each of the two lanes forming a pair. These two games may be different. The game maker (74) also causes a particular game to perform cross lane bowling. In the case of cross lane bowling, only one game is awarded to this lane pair. A video graphics library containing a set of video display elements will be available for each game. This graphics library is used for all games and is resident in the EPROM (204) of the game maker. The game maker (74) can give the game to one lane of the lane pair without disturbing the execution of the game being executed on the other lane of the lane pair. The game maker (74) can instruct the general computer (32) to end the game currently being executed in one lane, and provide another game.

The game program contains subroutines from two different locations. The first location is from a game specific routine given to the game maker (74) from the controlling computer (32), the second location is located in the game maker EPROM (204), and
Includes GMOS routines.

The game uses a pin setter (14) controlled by a game setter (76), a bowler input station (18), a video switch (73), and an overhead display (20L, 20R) as input and output means. . Also, data that can be displayed by the ball trajectory management mechanism is input. These means can be activated / deactivated or permitted / disallowed by instructions in the game program or directly from the supervising computer (32). For example, the video switch (73) can be operated in a tournament mode determined by the game program.

The basic structure of each game program is generally similar. The interface routine used can use a function library. Only the game display and recording algorithms are different. In general, all games have the same recording principle, i.e., a regular pin pattern is set on the deck and all pins are overturned or the maximum number allowed to overturn pins. Throw the ball until it reaches. However, games are not required to follow such a method.

The game uses two memory locations where variables are stored. The first place is a battery backup CMOS RAM
(206). The first of which is backed up at the control computer (32) and contains all the information needed to reconstruct the game in the event of a power accident or other error. This block is
Also referred to here as a database block. The lane database block contains a game independent database and a game dependent database.
The game-independent database contains computed information common to all games, for example, lane or game language. The game dependency database changes for each particular game. As shown, the game dependent database includes per-frame pinout data for each bowler, bowler-by-frame results, and other information that initially displays the progress of the particular game that is most recently running in the game. I do. The second block of memory contains non-essential information such as, for example, color combinations.

The second location in memory is a static variable location allocated by the GMOS operating mechanism to store any other information needed by the game. For example, this information may indicate when to call the bowler input station.

The game program includes four distinct parts: user input, pin setting management / control, general computer interface, and mechanism timing. Each of these tasks, when activated, responds in combination with some of the following actions: updating the bowler lane database block, updating the overhead display, and / or formatting and responding to command / response status. Transmission.

The supervising computer interface task monitors and receives commands from the global COM line. This task operates on each received command, updates the database and overhead indications (20L, 20R) on demand, and formats the response if necessary. This task also controls the start / end indication in response to each derived task.

The pin setter management / control task controls communication with the game setter (76). This pin setting machine management / control task marks items received from the game setter (76) and transmits commands issued by the game program. It can also respond to all games that respond to items from the pin setting machine. For example, it determines how to respond to the ball detection signal or what to do when pin fall data exists. This task records, updates the database and overhead display, and determines the next command to send to the pin setter (14).

User input task is bowler input station (18)
Handle requests from. The user input task operates on each data received, updates the database and invokes the player data input function to modify the overhead display (20L, 20R) as required. It also transmits a series of displays and, when necessary, a bowler input station (18)
To be displayed.

The mechanism timing task controls the overall timing of the game. Anything that causes a change in the bowler lane database block will frankly update the duplicate lane database block stored in the central control (26). In this manner, the central control (26) always has an exact copy of the game lane database block. If there is an accident in a lane, the overall control mechanism (26) may assign the game to another available lane but continue where the same game was stopped. Since this lane database block is stored in the CMOS RAM (206), the game is restored after a power accident and can be resumed where it stopped.

As described above, according to the position of the mode key switch (226) (see FIG. 12A), upon startup, the isolated game is copied from the EPROM (204) to the DRAM (202). If the mode key switch (226) is in the correct position, communication between the master computer (32) and the game maker (74) is possible, and the hard disk (270) connected to this master computer (32) One of the stored different games is given. The specific operation of applying the game program will be described in detail below.

Pseudo golf game Bowling provided by the general computer (32)
One example of the game program relates to a bowling game that embodies some of the actual conditions of play performed in a golf game competition. The rules and recording method for such games are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 118,241, filed by Brim, filed November 9, 1987; assigned to the assignee of the present invention, The details are described in (Reference material).

According to this simulated golf bowling game, a player is allowed to throw a preselected maximum number of balls to overturn all pins on each of a plurality of preselected balls or frames. The player may select a course that encompasses a different number of frames, for example, 9-18 in a golf game. Each selected course includes a predetermined order of different pin settings or patterns that limit the frames played by the player in each race. A "par value" is assigned to each frame or hole, and is preferably proportional to the difficulty of setting each pin. Each player must throw at least one ball out of a maximum of a preselected number of balls per different frame, for example five. The number of balls thrown by each player in each frame is counted along with the number of pins remaining in each player after the end of that frame to determine the score of each player in each frame. The frame score of each player determined by such a counting method is recorded while playing the game in the order of the players.

Turning to FIG. 25, a flow chart illustrating all operations of the simulated golf game program is shown. Also, referring to FIG. 26, there is shown a graphic display of an overhead monitor used in combination with the pseudo golf game. In particular, the overhead display includes an upper portion having a custom graphic portion, and includes a background G that represents the "green" of the golf course hole. Flag F is contained in the green and indicates the hole or frame number.
As described above, according to the communication from the game setter (76) to the game maker (74), the state of the pins standing on the deck at a certain time is displayed on the green.
The lower part of this display illustrates a normal golf score sheet S, and includes the position of the record information including the name of each bowler, the par value of each hole, that is, each frame, and the total score.

The flowchart of FIG. 25A includes a generalized flowchart showing the main operating routines of a game program for a pseudo golf game. 25B to 25H are diagrams illustrating individual routines of the game program operation, as described in more detail below.

The game program is started at block (550), where it is initialized. A detailed flowchart of the program initialization is shown in FIG. 25B. Therefore the decision block (5
52) determine if a different game has been requested. If a different game is requested, the current game is output to block (554), the new game request is transmitted to the master computer (32) of block (556), and the current game task is executed at block (558). ) Is set to the dead state, after which the game operation ends. If the different game determined in decision block (552) is not required, the game operation gives a break to the GMOS in block (560). This break puts the game task to sleep, allowing the GMOS to relax task handling in the current mechanism frame and rescheduling in the next frame. In the next frame when the game starts, control proceeds to block (562) to check the global COM interface (see FIG. 25C) and check the game setter interface in block (564) (see FIG. 25D). ), Updates the game setter in block (566) (2nd
Check the user interface at block (568) (see FIG. 25G) and check the game timer at block (570) (see FIG. 25H). Thereafter, control returns to decision block (552) to determine whether a different game has been requested.

Turning to FIG. 25B, a flowchart illustrating the operation of the game initialization routine of block (550) shown in FIG. 25A is shown. Control begins at block (572), where the game variables are operably initialized. The game variables are the number of frames allowed in the game, for example 9-18, the maximum number of bowlers,
Includes the maximum number of balls allowed per frame and the pin pattern per frame. According to a preferred embodiment, the game program includes a default golf course and provides bowlers with different course options. The specific course chosen will determine which pin
Decide whether to set a pattern. Also, the recorded information is deleted.

Communication with the game setter (76) is initialized at block (574). Bowler input station is blocked (57
Initialized in 5). This initialization includes a command to reset the bowler input position operation and set an initial display light pattern thereon using the display device (358) (see FIG. 14). A game timer, such as a one minute timer, and a bowler input station time out timer are initialized and reset to block (576). The ball trajectory device is initialized in block (577) and communication is
Provided between programs, as described above, accesses trajectory data and provides game information to the ball trajectory device table manager.

Next, a decision block (578) determines whether the game has been awarded on a previous game. This block determines if the current game will be the first regular game to be awarded after power activation, or if another game has already been awarded. Assuming that another game has already been awarded, block (579) needs to delete the previous game data from the lane database block. After this, or if the game was not awarded above, the pin pattern is set at block (580). This pin pattern is usually for the first frame. However, if the pending game is initializing after a power accident or lane relocation, the pin pattern will be for the next frame of the pending game. Thereafter, decision block (581) determines whether the previous or pending game has been executed. If so, the game executed in block (582) needs to be executed immediately. Otherwise, as described in more detail below,
The game competition is initialized by the action of the bowler, and the operation returns to the overall mechanism operation to end the game initialization routine (see FIG. 25A).

Turning to FIG. 25C, a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the check global COM interface routine of block (562) shown in FIG. 25A is shown. Control begins at decision block (583), where commands are issued to the central computer (3
It is determined from 2) whether it has been received via the global COM line (27). If not, the routine ends and control returns to main mechanism operation. If a command has been received, several bridged decision blocks (584-5
91) decrypts the specific command received. Further, a decision block (584) determines whether an empty lane command has been received. If so, decision block (592)
Determines if the lane is currently in use. Also, if so, the lane database block is provided to the supervision computer (32) at block (593). In either case, the current game is stopped at block (594). Thereafter, the bowler input station indicator light is set, and if necessary or desired, block (595) enables the bowler input request and terminates the routine.

When the awarded game command is received as determined in decision block (585), decision block (586) determines whether the new game is the same as the current one. If not, block (597) indicates that a different game is required. This display is used in decision block (552) (see FIG. 25A) to end the current game operation. In either case, control then proceeds to block (595).

If the command is a game control command, as determined in decision block (586), the game control command is executed at block (59).
Combined in 8). In particular, the game control command may be any of the following five commands.

 Start and clear the database, start playing, stop playing, continue the game, start practice.

In response, certain game control commands are blocked (59
9) is executed. More specifically, in response to the "start and clear database" command, the game program is started and the lane database block is cleared to store new data there based on the new game to be played. However, the actual game competition does not start. The "start play" command is used to start the actual plate of the game to start recording for each player. The "Stop Play" command is used at any time to stop play from the controlling computer. The game continues in response to the "Continue Game" command, or a new game "Starts Playing" with the "Start and Clear Database" command
Triggered using directives. The "Start Exercise" command is used to allow Bowler to practice without records obtained from it. Certain game commands block (59
After executing in step 9), control proceeds to block 595 where the appropriate bowler input station indicator light is turned on.

If the command is a "video switch" command determined in decision block (587), a command to provide the desired alignment switch is transmitted to the video switch (73) at block (600). The command then controls the video switch to perform the desired video correlation, as described above.

If the command is a remote bowler support command determined in decision block (588), decision block (601) determines whether the remote bowler support command operably initiates remote bowler support. If so, a "switch" command is sent to the video switch in block (602),
A video signal for displaying overhead of a specific lane is transmitted to the supervising computer (32) via the score transmission line (70). If the command is not a "remote start" command, decision block (603) determines whether the command includes a "remote stop" command. If so, video
The switch is reset to the block (604) to give a regular operation. Otherwise, the remote bowler support command includes the key code. This key code belongs to a specific key at the remote bowler input test (42),
Controls the operator of the general control desk. The code for this key is stored in the buffer of block (605).
Control proceeds from any of the blocks (602, 604 or 605) to block (595) to set the bowler input station indicator and return to overall operation.

If the command is a central control to the game command as determined in decision block (589), the command is
It is transmitted to the game setter (76) in 6). In particular, this command is used to energize or deactivate various peripherals, such as the foul detection device (92). This command may also be used by the general control desk operator to command the game setter (76) to set any of the desired pin patterns by operating the pin setting machine (14), as described in more detail below. Used for This is typically used to know that when a pin accidentally falls, the pin fall data stored in the game maker memory will not accurately reflect the actual standing pin. Thus, the operator uses the central control to obtain the command and sends a "clean and set" command to the game setter (76). This command includes the pin setting data entered on the general computer keyboard (44) and sets the correct pin pattern on the deck. Control proceeds from block (606) to block (595).

If the command is a set of new color commands, as determined in block (590), the new color will be in block (607)
Is stored. These colors are used for the overhead monitor (20). After this, control is blocked (595)
Proceed to.

If the command is a "print database" command as determined in decision block (591), the game program blocks the lane database block (60).
It is necessary to input the information to the supervising computer of 8) and print it by the supervising control desk printer (46) shown in FIG.
Thereafter, control proceeds to block (595). If the command was determined in decision block (591), "Print database"
If not, the command may be any of a number of different commands that are not directly related to the game competition. One such command is for displaying or deleting a message on the overhead monitor (20). This directive
It is stored in the buffer for delay display of the user interface routine (see FIG. 25G-2). Any such commands are compounded and operated on in block (609), then proceed to command block (595).

Turning to FIG. 25D, a flow chart illustrating the operation of the Check Gamesetter routine of block (564) shown in FIG. 25A is shown.

Control begins at decision block (610), where local C
Message sent via OM line (75) to Game Setter (76)
To determine if it has been received. If a message is received, a plurality of decision blocks (611-616) operably determine the nature of the received message. Game maker / game setter communications typically involve commands transmitted from the game maker (74) to the game setter (76) and their responses. The game setter (76) gives data such as when a ball is thrown to the game maker (74) periodically and when new pin fall data becomes available. However, only a single command can be pending at any time. Therefore, the game maker (74) stores the desired command in the queue, and when the operation of this command is completed, the command of the next queue is transmitted.

The decision block (611) determines whether the operation of the pending command has been completed. If so, the command is removed from the queue at block (617) and the command timer is stopped at block (618).

The decision block (612) determines whether the message is a ball detection message. If so,
Set the ball detection flag to block (619). The decision block (613) indicates that the message is a game setter (7
Determine if 6) is an indication that the order has been accepted. If so, block (620) sets the command timer to "0". The timer operably determines an elapsed time after the game setter (76) receives the pending command, and a predetermined maximum time is allowed for the command action to be completed.

The decision block (614) determines whether the message is about a pin fall. If so,
Enter the pin fall state into the memory of block (621),
Set the pin fall flag to block (622). If the message indicates blocking of the command as determined in decision block (615), the blocking state is set to block (623). If the message indicates that an accident has occurred in decision block (616), the error flag is blocked (624)
Is set to If not, or if no message is received from the game setter as determined in decision block (610), decision block (625) determines whether the command timer has timed out. If so, the command is reset at block (626). If not, or block (618-62
0, 622-624 or 626), control proceeds to decision block (627) to determine whether game setter (76) is idle. If there are no pending commands, the game setter is idle. If the game setter is not idle, the routine ends. Otherwise, the next command in the queue is sent to the game setter (76) in block (628) and the routine ends.

Turning to FIG. 25E, a flowchart illustrating the operation of the update game setter routine of block (566) shown in FIG. 25A is shown. Control begins at decision block (629),
It is determined whether the action in response to the pin setting command has been completed. If the latest command from the game maker (74) to the game setter (76) is the command assigned to the pin setting and this command is displayed as completed in the decision block (611) shown in FIG. , This condition is correct. If the condition is correct, control passes to block (630) where the graphic portion of the overhead monitor (20) is updated. In particular, the 26th
Referring to the figure, the number of pins and the position set in response to the pin setting command are shown over the green G.
After this, or if such a directive has not been completed,
The decision block (631) determines whether or not the ball detection flag is set. If so, decision block (632) determines whether the game program is running. This is based on the fact that the actual game is started either by a command from the master computer, a command from the bowler input station, or a first ball throw. If the game has not yet started, block (633) operably starts the game competition. In either case, the ball throwing device is updated at block (634). This update,
The ball trajectory table manager of the game of the process task shown in FIG. 21 has thrown the ball,
Used to signal lane, frame and ball count. If the Routine Detect Flag is in Decision Block (63
If not set, as determined in 1), decision block (635) determines whether the pin overturn flag is set. If so, the overhead graphic display shown in FIG. 26 is updated in block (636),
Indicating the correct pin status, the score is updated at block (637). The specific operation of updating the score is described in more detail below in connection with FIG. 25F. Thereafter, if the pin fall flag is not set, decision block (638) determines whether the set switch is energized.
This setting switch is a part of the pin setting machine (14). When the pin pattern needs to be reset due to accidental overturning of the pins, as described above for the central control of the game command from the general computer (32). Give manual display. If the switch is activated, a "clean and set" command is sent to the game setter in block (639), and the game program of the game maker creates a new pattern corresponding to the pattern expected on the deck. Instruct the game setter to set. After this, or if the set switch is not activated, the update game setter routine ends and returns to the overall mechanism operation shown in FIG. 25A.

Looking at FIG. 25F, it is shown in FIG. 25E. Block (637)
A flowchart illustrating the operation of the update score routine of FIG. Control starts in block (640), where the number of pins that have fallen is counted. Thereafter, the lane database block is updated to display the frame ball, bowler, and pin fall in block (641). The overhead display shown in FIG. 26 is updated in block (642),
On the score sheet S, a new total of the number of balls thrown by the bowler at a specific frame or hole is displayed. After this,
The decision block (643) determines whether or not the game of the specific bowler has been completed. The game ends when Bowler completes either 9 or 18 frames based on the game selected. If so, the bowler run flag is set to block (644) and the bowler's game run counter is incremented at block (645).

After this or if the game has not been completed for a particular bowler, decision block (646) determines whether the bowler has completed the current frame. This frame may have all pins overturned or a bowler at position 25, as indicated by block (640) above.
The process ends when the maximum number of balls thrown in the frame set in the block (572) shown in FIG. As will be apparent, the mechanism may be modified so that the bowler is allowed to throw less than the maximum number of ball throws. Therefore, it is assumed that if less than 5 balls are thrown per frame and all pins do not fall on the fifth ball, the bowler must accept a maximum score of 5 for that particular frame or hole. You may. If the bowler's frame has ended, the bowler's frame count is updated at block (647) and the overhead display shown in FIG. 26 is updated at block (648) to obtain the new aggregated score for the particular bowler. Show, the next bowler can start playing at either the current frame or the next frame based on the bowler's sequence. After this, or if the bowler frame has not ended, a decision block (649) determines whether the game has ended for all bowlers. This is true if the bowler run flag is set for all bowlers playing the game in that lane. If not, block (650) is provided with an indication that the game is over. This display is executed by an overhead display, and a display indicating that all the database entries indicating that the game has occurred due to the end of the game has been given is displayed on the central computer (3).
2).

If the game has not been completed for all bowlers, decision block (651) determines whether all bowlers have completed the current frame. If not, change the pin pattern of the current frame to "Clean and set"
The command is transmitted to the game setter (76) and the block (65
Reset in 2) and the next bowler may compete in this frame using the same pin pattern. If this frame ends, block the pin pattern for the next frame (653), as selected based on game variables.
Set to. After setting the pin pattern in either block (652) or (653), or after the game end indication is given to block (650), the routine ends,
Control returns to the update game setter routine as shown in FIG. 25E.

Turning to FIGS. 25G-1 and 25G-2, a flowchart is shown illustrating the operation of the check user interface routine of block (568) shown in FIG. 25A.
This routine uses the bowler input station (18 or 4
Acts on the request performed in 2).

Control begins at decision block (654), where it is determined whether a message has been received from the bowler input station (18). If so, the mechanism obtains the key code of block (655) according to the key pressed. After this or if no message is received, a decision block (656) determines whether the mechanism is in a remote support mode, which is described in more detail below. If so, the mechanism obtains the key code from the remote bowler support key buffer at block (657). Thereafter, or if the mechanism is not in remote bowler support mode, decision block (658) determines whether the lane is in use. If the lane is not in use, the routine ends. If the lane is in use, a series of decision blocks (659-664) indicate which key code, if any, is the local bowler input station (18) or the remote bowler input station (42).
Operable determination is made as to which of them is received.

If the menu key is pressed as determined in decision block (659), the bowler input station display is updated in block (665) and the game menu is displayed on the overhead monitor in block (666). You. In particular, the games menu contains a list of possible bowling games that bowlers can request. The decision block (667) waits until the bowler presses and selects the number on the bowler input station keyboard (328) corresponding to the desired game number. Once this selection is made, the mechanism obtains the key code corresponding to the number in block (668) and transmits the game request associated therewith to the controlling computer in block (669). The decision block (670) determines whether the game is available on the master computer (32). If not, at block (671), a message for this effect is displayed for the game menu on the overhead monitor (20). If the game is available, block (670,671) indicates that another game is required. Thereafter, or if the game is not available, the routine ends and returns to overall mechanism operation.

If the name input key is pressed as determined in decision block (660), bowler input display will be in block (672)
The bowler prompts for block (673) and enters the bowler's name. The decision block (674) waits until the enter key is pressed and the name is entered as displayed,
In response, a specific bowler name is entered in block (675). The decision block (676) determines whether the names of the maximum number of bowlers of the game have been entered or whether the input key has been pressed. If not,
Control returns to block (673) to prompt Bowler to enter another name. If so, the routine ends.

If the bowling start key is pressed as determined in decision block (661), the bowler input station display is updated in block (667). At block (678)
The overhead monitor (20) displays the bowler to select the golf course and the number of holes to be played.
In the preferred embodiment, the game program is 9 or 18
A plurality of different golf course options may be provided, such as selecting a hole or frame. This golf course differs in the pin pattern applied to each hole or frame. In response to Bowler's selection, the mechanism provides block (679) with course information for the selected game. If you choose a different course, this information will be
It is replaced with the game variable set in block (572) as shown in FIG. After this, the routine ends.

If the final game score erase key is pressed as determined in decision block (662), decision block (680) determines whether the game is in progress. If the game is in progress, the game ends at block (681). After this or if the game is not in progress, the recorded information from the lane database block is erased at block (682) and the routine ends.

If the practice key is pressed as determined in decision block (663), decision block (683) determines whether the game is in progress. If not, the pin setting machine must be started at block (684). After this or if the game is not in progress, a new set of pins is set in block (685), a message is displayed on the overhead monitor in block (686), and Bowler is playing in practice mode. Show that there is. At this time, the number of pins can be reduced to 10 or less, if desired. Thereafter, the routine ends. If the decision block (66
When the score change key is pressed as determined in 4),
The bowler input display is updated at block (687) and the overhead monitor display is modified to provide a display instructing the bowler to make the necessary score corrections. This display is provided with a cursor, and can be moved to each score position using the arrow keys of the "change key" portion (366) of the bowler input station (18) shown in FIG. The decision block (689) waits until any key is pressed. If a key is pressed, the mechanism enters the code for this key in block (690) and blocks (691)
26, the score on the overhead display score sheet S shown in FIG. 26 is updated to display the update, and the record information of the lane database block is corrected in block (692).
Thereafter, the decision block (693) determines whether the bowler wants to stop the score correction function by pressing the escape key. If not, control returns to decision block (689) to wait for another key to be pressed. If Bowler requests that the score correction function be turned off,
The monitor returns and displays the legal record information for block (694), and the routine ends.

If neither of the bowler input stations (18 or 42) is pressed, a decision block (695) determines whether a message display command has been received from the master computer (32). If not, the routine ends. If the message command has been received as described above in block (609), decision block (696) determines whether the command stored in the buffer is a message delete command. If not, the buffer message is displayed on the overhead monitor (20) in block (697). If the command is a message deletion command,
The message is deleted from the monitor in block (698). From any of the blocks (697 or 698), the routine ends.

Turning to FIG. 25H, a flow chart illustrating the operation of the check game timer routine of block (570) shown in FIG. 25A is shown. Control is initiated at decision block (700) to determine whether the one minute timer has timed out. This one minute timer is used to provide an indication of when to update the time associated with the data calculation. This update is part of the lane database block,
It is periodically input to the supervising computer (32). If 1
At the end of the minute, the data calculation is updated at block (701), and any portion of the lane database block thus modified is applied to block (702). Thereafter, the one minute timer is reset in block (703). Then, or if one minute has not passed,
A decision block (704) determines whether a user input timeout of the bowler input station has been activated. This occurs if the bowler has not made the necessary selections at the bowler input station within a preselected minimum time. If no time out has occurred, the routine ends. If time out, the user function is blocked at block (705) and the bowler input station display is updated at block (706). The bowler input station generally updates the left lane and right lane keys by illuminating them, and the bowler then makes available selections. Thereafter, the routine ends.

As is evident from the above, the simulated golf game is operably configured and starts the mechanism to cycle through 9 or 18 holes or frames. Within each frame, each contains a certain number of pins and pin patterns. A pre-selected pin pattern is set on the deck for each bowler, each bowler being allowed a maximum number of balls to throw over all of the pins. The record is determined by the number of balls thrown by the bowler to fall over all the pins in each hole or frame. The score is automatically counted and displayed on the overhead monitor, and a pin pattern that stands at a certain time is also graphically displayed.

As shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 25A to 25H, a game program for a pseudo golf game generally uses any of a plurality of different bowling games. Thus, a somewhat generic game program is provided. The key differences between the different games are the resulting ones that are overhead displayed and algorithmically displayed on the monitor (20).

Carousel Bowling Game Another example of a bowling game is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 118,245, filed by Brim, filed November 9, 1987; assigned to the same assignee as the present invention and (Incorporated as reference material). The bowling game comprises a selected series of 10 frame bowlings of different pin settings, wherein the different pin settings include a fixed number of 10 or fewer pins per frame. For example, a game may include 9-pin, 10-frame with different "missing" pin locations for each frame. The recording is only required to overturn nine pins per frame, so a single "missing" pin in each frame is given to the bowler, except for the normal 10 pin bowling game. Determine exactly as in the case of. This game is named "Carousel" here.

Referring to FIG. 27, a typical record display provided to the overhead monitor (20) under the control of the carousel game program is graphically displayed. In particular, the display includes an upper portion having a graphical portion displaying a pin pattern (PP) set on the deck at a certain time. The lower part of this display shows a normal bowler score sheet, in which the score of each frame based on the bowler's name and the number of fallen pins is entered, and spares and strikes are also recognized.

The flowchart of the carousel game is quite similar to that of the pseudo golf game shown in FIGS. 25A-25H. Therefore, the only difference is as shown here. That is, the update of the overhead both shows the pin pattern, but differs from that shown in the specific figure. A basic bowling score sheet is shown in the lower part of the display in place of the golf score sheet. Looking at FIG. 25F, in particular, instead of the block (642) updating the overhead ball calculations, this carousel game displays in the usual way as a function of the number of pins fallen rather than the number of balls thrown. To update the overhead. Decision block (646) also states that each bowler may have up to 2
They operate differently in that each frame is limited by throwing the ball a number of times or by falling all the pins. The decision block (643) determines when the game has ended after the bowler has completed 10 frames. Looking at Figure 25G-1, in the carousel game, blocks (678,679)
Not used because there is no need to select a specific golf course or number of holes. However, the program may be modified to allow the bowler to select the missing pin count for each frame based on the desired level of difficulty of the game. In all other respects, both bowlings are exactly the same.

Description of the mechanism of the general control mechanism General computer The purpose of the general control mechanism (26) is to control the operation of the boring center in the boring center stack located at the general control desk and to manage certain tasks related to the operations that occur at the boring center on the day. To maintain the data. The supervising computer (32) shown in FIG.
It can handle the number of operations generated by 128 lane league bowlers. This business process includes not only the normal pin falling process but also the peak work at the end of the game or the end of the league time. When the game is over, the score is printed,
The information is transmitted to and from the league record service, computer (34), and a new game is awarded to the game maker.

The supervising computer (32) uses exactly the same circuit as the game maker (74). For these circuits,
This has already been described with reference to the block diagrams of FIGS. 12A to 12D.

The peripheral device control computer (32), as shown in Figure 12D,
It communicates with the league record service (LRS) calculation mechanism (34) and modem (36) using a serial interface DUART (265). The purpose of the LRS mechanism (34) is to automate the operation of the bowling center league. The supervising computer (32) gives the operator LRS (34)
, The information exchanged between the LRS (34) and the game maker (74) can be controlled.

The supervising computer (32) receives an input of the number of leagues of 4 digits or less from the operator and transmits it to the LRS mechanism (34). The LRS mechanism returns the bowler lineup information to the supervising computer (32), and transmits the requested league to the specific game maker (74) as specified by the LRS (34). For example, this information is related to lane pairs, LRS League I
Includes the D number, team name for each lane, and individual bowler information records.

When the LRS mechanism (34) transmits the list of lineups to a specific game maker (74), the game maker (74) is expected to return score information. If the team moves to another game maker (74), the LRS mechanism (34) signals this change and the game from the new game maker (74)
Score information assignments must be properly associated. In addition, the lineup information is thereby transmitted to a new game maker (74). In order to perform such a movement, the supervisory computer (32) transmits the number of lanes currently set and used in the LRS (34) and the one to be used there in response to the input of the operator.

The LRS mechanism (34) waits for information from all game makers (74) regarding the league and receives it completely before processing the data. If, for some reason, no data is returned from a particular game maker (74), the LRS mechanism (3
4) must be told not to expect it.
Accordingly, the supervising computer (32) transmits an indication of the lane that is not connected to the LRS (34). Furthermore, the ability is provided that the operation of the LRS (34) is deleted from the game maker (74) when the LRS mechanism (34) causes an accident.

When each league game ends, the supervising computer (32) returns game information to the LRS mechanism (34). This operation is performed automatically with the additional ability to allow the operator to transmit information. When the game information is returned to the LRS mechanism (34), the LRS mechanism (34) acknowledges the reception of the information.

The supervising computer (32) communicates with the modem (36),
It controls the operation of the modem (36) and communicates with a remote computer. This modem (36) is used to remotely diagnose software problems in the central boring control mechanism and to update the software.

Supervising computer local COM line device The supervising computer (32) controls the operation of the remaining related devices using the RS232 type communication circuit (38) connected to the local COM line (29). This conversion circuit (38) is the same as the conversion circuit (78) associated with the game maker (74) described above with reference to FIG. Therefore, for a detailed description of the RS232 type conversion circuit (38), refer to the above description relating to FIG.

The RS232 type conversion circuit (38) is a video switch (40)
To control the interface. Video Switch (4
0) is the same as the video switch (73) related to the game maker (74), which has already been described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 19. In particular, the seven VIDEO IN parts are video
It is connected to three lines of the score transmission line (70) and four selected lines from the video driver (56). VI
The DEO OUT part is not used because this function is not activated in the video driver (56). The SCORE IN section is connected to three of the video sources (52). These three SCs
The ORE OUT section is connected to the input section of the video driver circuit (56). Video monitor switch (372)
Is the line (58L, 58R, 58
S) via receive RGB video signal. This line (58L,
58R, 58S) are shown in FIG. 12C, respectively. Corresponds to the line (274,275,276) from the RGB driver circuit (262,263,264). RG from this monitor switch (372L, 372R, 372S)
The B video signals are respectively connected to RGB monitors (72L, 72R, 72S).

The video driver circuit (56) includes a conventional amplifier circuit for each of the seven video lines. This amplifier circuit transmits a video signal to all of the lane pair control mechanisms (16).
Also an audio driver circuit (62). Includes normal amplifier circuits. In a preferred embodiment, the transmitted audio signal comprises a monaural signal. However, this mechanism is also feasible for transmitting stereo signals, as is well known to those skilled in the art.

The video switch (40) comprises seven video transmission lines from no more than ten video sources, ie seven video sources (52) and three video transmission lines.
It is connected to a video driver circuit (56) through two video score transmission lines (70) to multiplex the video information in an operable manner. In particular, the video driver circuit (56)
Video signals are received directly from four of the video source devices (52) via the video lines (53). The remaining three video signals are received via the line (60) from the SCORE OUT portion of the video switch (40). The video output switch (374) of the video switch (40) shown in FIG. 16 is controlled to selectively connect to the SCORE IN section, which is connected to the remaining three video source devices (52). One of the three video source transmission lines (70) connected to or connected to the monitor switch (372) and video input switch (370) and connected to the VIDEO IN section, to the SCORE OUT section .

As described above with respect to the video switch (73), the SCORE IN section is normally connected directly to the SCORE OUT section to convert the seven video signals amplified by the video driver circuit (56) into seven video source devices. Originating from If you wish to operate in tournament mode, the video switch (40) will switch to the selected SCORE OUT section and the selected VIDEO IN
Control to connect to the score transmission line (7
0) Recorded information is global video transmission line (61)
And is displayed on the selected monitor of the bowling center.

The video switch (40) operably transmits the RGB video signal from the supervising computer (32) to the monitor (72) using the monitor switch (372) as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18. If you want to display score information from a specific game maker (74), you can use the video input switch (37
0) and the appropriate video monitor switch (372) is switched under the direction of the supervising computer (32) to connect a particular video score transmission line (70) to one of the three monitors (72). . Similarly, if you want to watch a video program from one of the video sources (52), you can also download such video from the video driver circuit (56) to the four VIDEO IN
If one of the parts wants to receive, it can be switched to any of the monitors (72) in a similar manner.

Although the video / audio mechanism (28) is described using seven video source devices (52) and seven global video lines (61) and audio lines (68), additional video sources and / or lines may be used. May be used. In particular, additional video source devices may be multiplexed to transmit the seven lines via a suitable switching device. If necessary or desired, additional driver circuits and switching circuit capabilities may be provided to increase the number of global lines.

The bowler input station (42) is structurally identical to the bowler input station (18) associated with the lane pair controller (16). For a detailed description thereof, refer to the above description relating to FIG. 14 and FIG. further,
One of the functions of the master bowler input station (42) is to remotely duplicate the operation of the bowler input station (18) or other bowler input functions on the lane pair for score correction. Therefore, bowler input station (42)
Keyboard Ovalley (328) typically includes a "change" key portion (366) to enable score correction as described in more detail below.

The printer (46) is a normal graphic printer and is a CO
Interfaced to M line (29). The printer is used to print score sheets and other information in a character and graphic format similar to that displayed on the monitor (72). This printer (46) will display any of the last 10 game scores from any of the lanes
Used to print the score. The lane control device (16) is organized by the control computer (32) under the game control process, and the result of the latest game score or a series of game scores is recorded and input to the control computer (32). It can also be printed automatically when a lane is erased. A special print is made for the game type with lanes in use. Up to 10 such printers can be used. Up to 10 coupon printers can also be connected to the COM line (29) using the conversion circuit (38). For example, a coupon printer can be used for awarding.

The supervising computer (32) communicates with the DTS cache register (50) to process control calculation information. This information relates to various postings or payment methods for lane rent in the center. DT for lane setting and end
The S-cache register (50) transmits a request to set the lane to use to extend the current time or allowed game or number of frames or erase the one currently used. In response, the general control console processes the activation and configuration of the selected game maker (74). For computational purposes, the supervising computer (32) keeps track of the lanes that are actually in use. The supervising computer (32) calculates the time and game or frame in use in various modes of game maker operation, and stores it in the DTS cash register (5).
0) to calculate the appropriate bowler control costs.

The DTS cash register (50) is a 521-type electronic cash register manufactured by Data Terminal Systems, and interfaces with the controlling computer (32) via the controlling local COM line (29) using the DTS interface board (48). Have been. The DTS interface board (48) is a Z-80 processor-based terminal interface computer board that is freely connectable to the DTS interregister communication bus. This interface board (48) is compatible RS232. The cash register (50) provides all the information needed to operate the normal posting / cost control mechanism. In particular, the cash register can be set to operate in a prepaid mode or a postpaid mode, and the user can pay either before or after performing the boring. In the prepaid mode, the bowler pays the payout machine at a preselected time either a specific bowling game or a preselected menu bowling game. The particular bowling game selected involves the amount of gold paid. Thereafter, the cash register transmits to the supervising computer (32) information indicating that the bowling game competition is permitted on the lane where the bowler is located. Thereafter, the supervising computer (32) sets the operation of the specific lane to be operable. The post-pay mode operates similarly, except that the bowler pays when the competition is over.

Each of the three keyboards (44) is of a commercially available IBM PC AT type and emits a series of format signals. Each keyboard (44) includes a commercially available typewriter alphanumeric keypad and a plurality of function keys. This keyboard (4
4) is used as an operator input device of the supervising computer.

The video source device (52) includes a video cassette recorder / player or laser disk player to provide video or audio signal playback to a monitor in the mechanism. One example is the Pioneer Laser Disc Player LD-V6000 version 3, whose user manual No. TD109 version 3.2.
(Issued September 14, 1984) is incorporated herein by reference. The laser disk player includes an RS232 type interface circuit for connecting to an external control device for receiving a command signal. Through this interface,
Two-way transmission of the command signal is possible. These codes are used to initiate playback of a selected program stored on the video disc. In this sense, the video disc acts as a storage device. The disc player reads the video and audio data from the disc, converts the data into a suitable format, emits representative video and audio signals, and transmits them over the lines (53, 54). The serial input circuit operably selects a particular program or segment for the disc being used and transmits the required video and audio signals via the audio and video lines (53, 54), respectively.

Supervisory computer software The supervisory computer (32) uses a software mechanism consisting of a group of processes or tasks.
It operates under the control of the OS-9 / 68000 operating mechanism manufactured by System Corporation. This operating mechanism has a Unix-type file system interface together with a real-time multiprocessing function. During activation, the mechanism executes a series of diagnostic routines in the EPROM (204) shown in FIG. 12A. If this routine is successfully completed,
A diagnosis is determined that the board has been organized as a supervising computer (32) and has passed control to an OS-9 routine in the EPROM (204). After this, the boot routine
Start the OS-9 operating mechanism on the floppy disk (272) or hard disk (270) shown in FIG. 12D.

Inter-process communication is performed using the standard characteristics of the OS-9 operating mechanism, especially the "data module", "pipe" and "event signal" characteristics. A "data module" is a method of high-speed division or transmission of data between processes. The “pipe” is a method of connecting an input of another simultaneous execution step and an output of a certain step by a FIFO method. An "event signal (semaphore)" is a mechanism for synchronizing the operations of two or more processes and preventing the divided mechanism resources from being accessed simultaneously by several concurrently executing processes.

The supervising computer operating mechanism includes, for example, global and local COM lines (27, 29), serial ports (266, 267), hard disk (270) and floppy disk (2, 29).
72), which includes multiple steps for simultaneously controlling the operation of various devices. Many processes are designed to sleep via a "sleeve" mechanism call to call the run queue. This "sleeve" process is performed by the parent CPU (200) as little as possible by using the process execution where any data or state needed to complete the task is used, thereby making the execution useless. Heavy load. High level monitoring is "awake" to integrate the various sub-steps operating under control and is always on.

Turning to FIG. 28, a block diagram illustrating the overall process for software operation of the supervising computer is shown.

A number of individual processes make up the software of the supervising computer. Many processes usually do not have direct access to the parent CPU (200), but instead have a COM line (27 or 2).
9) Operate in response to information received via any of: These steps receive information from each private pipe. The pipe has the necessary queuing to cause the central computer to process several similar operations at once, such as multiple game loads. These steps spend most of each time in the "sleep" state. These steps can be performed with the corresponding global or local CO
The M watcher sub-step (750,752) is awake when information for either is received over the associated COM line (27 or 29). The awakened process processes the subsequently received information. When this process is complete, the process checks for more data in the pipe and indicates service request arrival while the last request is being entered. If more data is found, repeat this cycle. If reading to the pipe is unsuccessful,
If it is indicated that no requests have arrived since the last request that started processing, the process is put to sleep and removed from the execution queue.

The following list is a list of the main steps included in this mechanism.

(1) mechanism start / assembly process, (2) communication manager process, (3) lane control process, (4) game control process, (5) score correction process, (6) printing process, (7) cache control process, (8) Modem control process, (9) Video switching process, (10) Video disc control process, (11) League recording service process.

The "mechanism start / assembly" step is performed immediately after the OS-9 operating mechanism starts, initializes, and operates the disk.
This step differs from all other steps in that it is more precisely a shell command file than an OS-9 task. This process creates the various pipes and semaphores needed for other tasks, and creates other processes needed for the supervision computer. Any necessary information with such a process ID number is passed to the created process as needed. This step is complete and ends. The created process is responsively initialized and reads any required assembly data from the mechanism assembly file.

The "communications manager" process includes global and local COM watcher sub-processes (750,752), respectively, which receive information from the corresponding master and local COM lines (27,29), respectively. To process. This process awakens whenever any device on the associated COM line needs service. This step also evaluates the request and passes the received information to the appropriate step. Global COM Talker Sub Process (754)
Is the only process that calls on the global COM line (27). Other steps communicate to the global COM line (27), all via this sub-step. The global COM talker sub-step (754) is normally in a "sleeve" state, but is "awaken" by other steps to input data into the global COM out pipe. When the packet communication is completed, check for more data in the input pipe. If there is data, the communication sequence is repeated, otherwise the communication manager process becomes a "sleeve". The local COM talker sub-step (756) is the same as the global COM talker sub-step (754), except that when calling the local COM line (29), it obtains data from the local COM line output pipe. Operate.

The score backup sub-step automatically reads data of all games running at the bowling center under the control of the pin fall and communication control steps. This running data is stored in the lane database block (758) of the memory of the central computer CMOS RAM (206). This process is based on this data,
0), which is different from the score backup executed as part of the end of the game.

As described in more detail below, the lane control step comprises:
Includes a set of user interface tasks (760), which include a supervising computer (32),
Directly associated with the user of the lane operation control step (762) and the error logging step (764). In particular, users
The interface step (760) is a local COM watcher (75
2. Receive operator input from 2) and start or end the lane execution operation and respond to display various boring center status information. All operator instructions are processed through these tasks. The lane operation control step (762) gives a common control change point to the lane operation data. Error logging (764) is a background process that maintains a history of mechanism errors.

The game control step (766) responds to the execution of the game execution request from the game maker (74). This step requires the communication control step to actually execute. It also processes the end of the lane and data backup and stores the counts and socore data on the hard disk (270).

The score correction process allows the manager to correlate with the bowler input station (42) connected to the supervisory computer (32) as if connected to the game maker (74). Additional features not available in the lane, such as score correction, are available to the manager. This step causes the supervising computer (32) to display the lane video using the video line assignment task and video switching.

The print control step includes a score sheet processing sub-step (76
8), a score sheet printing sub-step (770) and a print spooler sub-step (772). The score sheet processing sub-step (768) receives a request from the game control (766) and prints a specific game score sheet using the game data from the lane. The processor passes the data to the Correction Score Sheet Print Task (770) to format the output data. The score sheet printing sub-step (770) is a custom program that gives each game a preferred format required for each game score sheet layout. The print spooler sub-step (772) provides disk spooling and output control to the data being printed.

The “cache control” step (774) is performed using the local COM line (2
9) Respond to the request from the DTS cache register (50). Such a response is sent to the lane operation control sub-step (76).
Transmitted to 2). The operator can initiate or extend lane operations by prepay to a cash register on a given lane.

File transfer from the remote computer and access to the supervising computer from the remote terminal via the modem (36) are provided by standard utilities provided by the OS-9 operating mechanism.

Video switching is handled by sending control characters through a serial data converter circuit to a serial port on a video switch (73 or 40) under the video switching process. At this time, no other task is required.
However, the video line usage allocation by a step is coordinated by a video line allocation routine, as described in more detail below. The video disk control process (776) processes the user access by providing a menu created by the menu utility to select a video disk. When a request for a particular menu selection is made to the video control step (776), the control step (776) places the appropriate control characters on the selected video source device (52) via the RS232 type control circuit (38). Output to the serial port.

Lane control process The main purpose of the supervising computer (32) is to provide computer (24) assistance control of the boring center operation. The lane control process receives user commands, divides the commands into logical functions, and initiates the necessary steps to perform these functions. At that time, the lane operation control (762) executes the following three main functions.

Representation of the current boring center conditions, modification of center conditions by the operator, transmission of other tasks or execution of the desired changes to the game maker (74).

Software that supports the lane control function performs specific functions using specific function keys on the keyboard (44). Each function key is associated with a particular software mode. The specific functions used include:

(1) Boring center status function, (2) Boring center activity calculation function, (3) Specific boring center support function, (4) Mechanism support and information backup function, (5) Bowler support function.

(1) Boring center status function Monitors the boring center status function (72)
Is used to give the operator information about the current center usage displayed as a table. The specific information given relates to the number of lanes, the operating state of the lanes, the choice of the current lane operation, for example the type of payment and the game being operated, and general information such as the current frame and bowler number of the lane. Things. This information is presented in a variety of formats collected for the presentation of a taxonomy.

General control format on one screen
It can display the status of all lanes of the center up to 128, and generally displays the lane operation selection and lane operation status using status codes and colors. The following format is a lane use format and displays information generally required for operation of centers with less than 60 lanes. As in the case of this general format, the lane status is displayed and the equipment information is also displayed. The lane operation format gives 24 or less lane information. Along with the lane usage format, information about the particular game being played is also displayed. Finally, the lane detail format displays all the information available for a single lane on one display. This information is expressed in text format. From any of the bowling center status format displays, the operator may proceed to the lane setting display. Further, the operator inputs either the number of single lanes or the range of lanes to change to a common state. The display includes appropriate data and instructions based on the current state of the selected information. Thereafter, the operator may enter a change to be performed on one or more lanes.

The lane setting display allows the operator to assign, for example, the lane to be used or stopped, set the payment mode of the lane, and set the game maker (74) for a specific lane.
Is selected, and this lane is set to automatically print a score at the end of each game or a series of prints at the end of a series of games such as a league competition.

(2) Boring Center Activity Calculation Function The boring center activity calculation function gives the operator all calculations regarding the use of the center from the last moment when the calculation record is deleted. The information is displayed in a table on the monitor (72). The displays used in this function include lane usage, game usage, error log, access log and score correction log. Alternatively, a lane-to-use record may be generated. The lane use display allows the operator to display the start of use in one lane on the lane base of all centers, participation in a league game, practice games, prepaid bowling, postpaid bowling, and lane counting. Also,
The game usage display displays the game and time usage of each game package set in this mechanism. further,
This display shows the total payment method used for each game,
The usage rate in the payment mode and the total required amount for the game are provided. The error log display is a total of all errors detected by this mechanism. Access log display
Aggregation of access incompatibilities for particular supervising computer functions includes attempts to access privileged functions and attempts to access shortcomings of the mechanism, for example, detection of open components.

(3) Specific boring center support function The specific boring center support function is
A general operation of the center is used to select each function to assist the bowler. A menu display showing the following selectable sub-functions is provided.

1. Display of multiple lanes, 2. Lane movement, 3. Game maker message display, 4. Game maker color limited, 5. Central control, 6. Promised setting, 7. Time setting, 8. Video display.

The operator is asked to enter the number of the sub-function to be performed.

The display of the multi-lane sub-function is used for tournament displays where it is desired to display recorded information from a single lane or lane pair on the display of another lane or lane pair. When this sub-function is selected, the supervising computer (32) displays the game maker, video,
Control of the operation of the switch (73) occurs, and the video recording data is then transmitted on the video score transmission line (70). The supervising video switch (40) is controlled so that such video recording information is retransmitted to one of the global video transmission lines (61). Finally, the game maker video switch (73) of the other lane pair is switched so that the overhead display (20L, 20R) uses the video recording information from the global video transmission line (61) as described above. Receive.

The lane move sub-function allows the operator to move a bowler from one lane pair to another lane pair. This sub-function is used to move bowlers from a disallowed lane without losing current information. The operator enters the number of lanes from which information is to be transferred and from which operations will be transmitted. If the cross lane operation indicates that the lane information is transferring, the operator may request that both game makers be moved. The supervising computer (32) gives all necessary bowler information from the designated game maker (74). If this is not done due to a problem with the mechanism, the supervising computer (32) may instead assign the information it has in its memory to a new lane.

The gamemaker message display sub-function allows the operator to design and transmit a text screen in one or more lane areas. The operator can edit and display the message, store the message on or out of the disk storage, or deliver the message to the selected game maker (74).
This sub-function displays the names of the stored messages available in the facility and the names currently output for transmission.
Messages are sent from three temporary buffers to the game maker (7
4), this buffer transmits another message to one of the three available indications.

The game maker color limited sub-function provides the operator with an integrated computer monitor (72) and a game maker
Operating conditions and color definitions are limited for use on monitors (20, 22). In particular, the operator can select a color scheme for a particular application at the game maker, select a league sequence with a set of game maker color schemes, and select a default condition setting.

The boring center control sub-function allows the operator to selectively activate or deactivate specific lane equipment. These facilities include, for example, game maker overhead indicators (20L, 20R), pin setting machine peripherals such as a foul detector (92) shown in FIG. 6, and a ball trajectory device (80). This sub-function may also instruct the operator to set the pin setting machine (14) to a specific pin configuration, or to prohibit video on the remote location monitor (22), or to activate the remote location keyboard (24). Allow disapproval. In the central control sub-function, the operator selects to change the lane or lane areas. The existing settings of each lane in the area are displayed on the monitor (72), and the operator selects the lane, the equipment to be changed and the state to be set.

As shown in FIG. 24, the promise setting sub-function is in the central boring control mechanism, and stores certain items that occur during the central operation to the operator. The operator may set up the mechanism to represent the messages stored on the hard disk (270) on the assigned error / message line in each display format. This sub-function is used to set the inputs used to display these messages. The calendar clock circuit (221) shown in FIG. 12A gives the date and time necessary to transmit such a recording function.

The time setting sub-function allows the operator to display or set the current date and time stored in the supervising computer (32).

Video display sub-function is video driver circuit (56)
For displaying a video display segment from one of the video source devices (52) having an associated video output line (53) directly connected to a monitor (72). This sub-function can also be used to display a video score display from a particular game maker (74) when in tournament mode. In particular, this sub-function has seven VIDEO IN
The video switch (40) is controlled so that one of the video signals received at one of the ports is switched to one of the monitors (72) of the general control desk. In addition, the video switch (40) receives signals from the selected score transmission line (70) or video line (61), rather than the supervisory computer video line (58), as described above. Is controlled as follows.

(4) Mechanism support and information backup function The mechanism support and information backup function allows the operator to make a selection to assist the mechanism control. This selection allows the operator to change the configuration of the mechanism, set default operating conditions, and access the support equipment. Since the operation of the selections available under this function affects the operation of the mechanism, a safety certification is required until any selection is made. The operator must enter the identification and the corresponding password before accessing the selection menu. The sub-functions that the operator can access include:

1. Supervising computer terminal setting, 2. Game maker / game support, 3. Default function setting, 4. Mechanism information backup / restore, 5. Password input, 6. Central lane configuration, 7. Mechanism stop, 8. Remote Diagnosis.

The general computer terminal setting sub-function allows the operator to change terminal device information related to the general computer (32). Up to three monitors (72) and keyboards (44) can be connected to the supervisory computer (32). If desired, the location of the center that can be controlled by a particular terminal may be defined. Thus, another operator can only be involved in a part of the center. Also, color definitions for the general computer function and the global function may be defined under this function.

The game maker / game support sub-function allows the operator to perform multiple operations on the game modules provided to the game maker (74). In addition, the operator may enter new games from the floppy disk for use with this mechanism and limit default game selection settings, including such selections, for each game.

The default function setting sub-function causes default values for defaults for various functions of the mechanism. This allows the operator to limit the default setting of these parameters based on various parameters and other parameters. For example, selecting a prepaid time when setting a lane can limit the default printing selection or percentage level.

The mechanism information backup / restore sub-function allows the operator to store or restore to another location or file on the central computer hard disk (270). For example, the operator may store activity calculation information on either lane or game usage on a floppy disk before erasing from the mechanism. Further, default parameter information may be stored. If new software updates become available, the operator may enter new software on the floppy disk for use with this mechanism. With the new program applied, the operator can restart the mechanism and instruct to use the new program.

The password entry sub-feature allows the limitation of 15 or fewer passwords. This gives individual operators, up to 15 people, limited priority access to the various functions of the mechanism,
Selection of a particular access level for each operator is allowed.

The lane morphology sub-function allows the boring center to be changed to a morphology file containing an entry that limits the features to a particular lane.

The mechanism stop sub-function is used when the control computer (32) is to be de-energized, since the stop should be executed in a controlled command system. This sub-function is used by the operator to perform the pre-operations required to power down the supervisory computer.

The remote diagnostics sub-function is used to access the results of the activation diagnostics of each game maker. This sub-function also
It may be used to instruct the game maker (74) to execute a diagnostic routine. The result received from the game maker (74) is used for transmitting the above-mentioned error log display under the bowling center activity calculation function.

(5) Bowling support function The bowling support function allows the operator to support the game maker (74) from the general computer (32) to the bowler. Facilities available via this feature include score sheet or ball trajectory printing on demand, game change selection, and game maker user interface operations. The request-based score sheet sub-function allows the operator to perform score sheet printing. The ball trajectory raw data subfunction based on the request allows the operator to print the raw data from the ball trajectory record. In either case, the operator enters a lane number from which score sheet or ball trajectory data is printed. In the latter case, the bowler name, frame and ball number must also be entered. The game maker user interface operation sub-function allows the operator to interface with the game maker function remotely from the supervising computer. The initial display asks the lane which lane to support. The details of this operation will be described in more detail later in the remote bowler support.

Under the game change operation, various selections that affect the overall operation of the game can be performed. For example, when the bowler obtains a certain result, such as a strike or a spare, the excitation graphic may be transmitted for display on the overhead display (20). In some cases, it may not be desirable to use such an excitation pattern. Thus, the game change selection sub-function may be used, for example, to set default parameters relating to the performance of a particular selection during a game competition.

To support the user interface task (760), two background tasks running on this mechanism include a lane operation control (762) and an error log (764).

The purpose of this lane operation control task (762) is to provide a common control point for all lanes of this mechanism. When an operator task wants to change lane operation, it changes the data module in memory and the hard disk image of that module. This information is also communicated to the game maker (74) on the particular lane for backup purposes. The lane operation control (762) compares this setting operation with the current condition of the lane and automatically updates it in the communication control process. The lane operation control (762) detects any changes that need to be made and transmits a simple control command to the game maker (74) to execute these changes. For example, the lane operation control (762) monitors the remaining time if the lane is in the prepaid time mode.
When the remaining time is less than or equal to the pre-selected warning period, an appropriate color combination indicating the status on the lane is sent to the game maker (74). When the time is over and the lane is automatically stopped, the pin setting machine (14) and bowler input station (18) are deactivated. After the set amount of display time has elapsed, the video screen is deactivated.

The error logging task (764) stores the error occurrence information by giving a center point of other tasks of this mechanism. If an error is detected in an organized task, the specific code number associated with the error is sent to the named pipe and the occurrence of the error is stored. When the code receives this, the task reads the pipe, retrieves its number, and returns an error message to the hard disk (270).
Remember in log file. This task also stores the date and time indicating when the code was stored in the log file.

Lane Control Information Structure Generally, all control operations handle the display and modification of information, either at the controlling computer (32) or the game maker (74) within the mechanism. This information is stored in DRAM (20
2), CMOS RAM (206) or hard disk (270)
Is stored in any of.

The COMS RAM (206) is mainly used to hold game maker status information. The memory is attached to the supervising computer (32). Subdivide the maximum number of 128 lanes into equivalent segments. The information stored in each segment is an image of a similar segment stored in each game maker (74). This information is the minimum information necessary to back up the game maker operation of the lane.

The data module contains the allocated memory portion of the DRAM (202) and is used to hold information. The primary purpose of storage in this manner is to hold information that is frequently accessed during operation of the central computer. Often in this way, the information stored is a copy of the data stored on the hard disk.

A hard disk drive (270) associated with the supervising computer (32) is used for information that must be held in this mechanism.

The hard disk contains the following files: 1. Lane use file, 2. Game use file, 3. Terminal device configuration file, 4. Game maker configuration and configuration file, 5. Game module configuration file, 6. 7. Message storage file, 7. Stored message file, 8. Global color / default lane setting data file, 9. Game maker color combination file, 10. Non-default game maker limited file, 11. Video segment limited file , 12. Password file, 13. Game score backup file 14. Ball trajectory data backup file, 15. Executable game file.

The lane usage file relates to the calculation of lane usage.
This file stores time, frame, and pin setting cycle information for each lane, and is separately tabulated according to the mode. The game usage file relates to the game usage calculation.
This file holds information about the time, frame, and pin setting cycle of each game, and is separately tabulated according to the mode. The terminal device configuration file defines the lane area accessible by each supervising computer terminal.

The game maker configuration and settings file contains information about the configuration of each lane of the mechanism. This file includes data of peripheral devices attached to the game maker (74) for each lane. The game module form file stores all information belonging to the game module assigned to this device for use by the game maker (74). This file contains reference information, such as, for example, module file index and display name string, and operational information, such as, for example, lane configuration requests and burden ratio limits. The message storage file stores text messages to be displayed on the game maker monitor. The stored message file stores messages accessed by the promise setting sub-function (778). Global color / default lane setting data file is
Certain conditions limit the colors displayed when present on a lane. The game maker color combination file contains settings for game maker (74) usable color combinations and league sequence color restrictions. The default game maker limitation file includes game maker default operation information. This file contains, for example, the selection of excitation figures as described above.

The video segment limited file contains address information for each video segment available in the game maker menu selection at the remote location terminal (21).
In particular, this address indicates the start and end positions of a particular video segment on a disc given a particular video source device (52). The password file contains a password for each of the individuals who have been granted access to this device.

The game score backup file and the ball trajectory data backup file contain chronological information about the last 10 bowling games played in each lane. The executable game file includes an actual game program file that can be given to the game maker (74) for executing the game.

Game control The purpose of the game control process (766) is to
Supporting the game maker (74) by initiating the file and executable game file assignments. The game control step (766) includes a hard disk copy of game usage statistics of all games belonging to this mechanism, a hard disk copy of lane usage statistics of all lanes also belonging to this mechanism, and a Maintain a record on the hard disk of the pin fall data of the latest 10 games thrown in each case. The game control step holds the game score for printing the score sheet of the game being executed, and starts automatic printing of the game score sheet.

 The game control process responds to each of the following requests.

1. Request for game code, 2. End of game, 3. Blanking of lane, 4. Score printing, 5. Request for game menu, 6. Storage of trajectory data, 7. Transmission of database lane.

A request for a game code is made by the game maker (74) to the master computer (74) when the bowler presses the game select key or when the master computer lane control process requests the start of a game that is not currently entered in the game maker memory. 32) is transmitted. Thereafter, the task starts transmitting the target file to the game maker and updates the game usage file. If the start of the game is indicated by the game maker (74), the lane database block in memory is also stored as a game fragment. When the bowling game ends, the game maker (74) automatically sends the end of the game. A game control process responsive thereto stores the associated lane database block on the hard disk (270). If lane is selected for automatic printing to transmit end of game signal,
Upon completion of the requested number of games, the game control step (766) begins game printing of the particular game file using the score sheet processing sub-step (518).

The lane blanking request is used by the game maker (74) to signal that the lane has been blanked. In response, the game control process retrieves usage information from the associated lane database block and updates the lane usage file.

Upon receiving a command from the supervising computer (32), the game maker (74) transmits a request to print the current game status. Thereafter, the game control task stores the associated lane database block as a spool file on the hard disk (270), and starts the print function of this spool file. When the game maker (74) is initialized at the time of activation, the game maker (74) transmits a game menu request signal to the supervising computer (32). The game control process responds by initiating the transmission of the game menu file to the game maker (74).

The trajectory data storage request is used for various games including ball trajectory data. This request indicates that ball trajectory data must be stored. The database lane transmission request is initiated by the supervising computer (32) using the lane transmission sub-function under the lane control process. The game control step (766) responds to the provision of the game being executed by the new game maker and the provision of the pin fall information to the new game maker, and the new game maker (74) continues to operate the transmitted game.

The last 10 games executed in each lane are stored on the hard disk (270) as a fixed length continuation file. This file contains the lane database blocks received from the game maker. Other data is also stored as different length continuous files. The game control process (766) responsively creates the file and maintains an chronological index. Game fragments and temporary games are stored as one complete game, but are displayed as one fragment for print control purposes.

The game control step (766) includes one module executed at the time of starting the mechanism. This process continues to operate until the mechanism stops. Since the game control process (766) needs to process the game maker data only when requested by the game maker (74), it receives a signal indicating that attention is required, and processes the waiting request. The program is in the "sleeve" state until it returns to the "sleeve".

Video Line Assignment The central boring control mechanism is used to support a remote monitor (22) or a remote bowler on a supervising computer (32) for various purposes such as, for example, tournament display, VCR or laser disc playback. It includes seven global video lines (61) and audio lines (68) extending throughout the bowling center. The various devices of this arrangement are interconnected using a video switch (40, 73). Nevertheless, a few video displays are simultaneously connected to different lines, but manage these lines in such a way that one or more video sources cannot be placed on a single line at the same time. There is a need.

The video line allocation routine is used in any mechanism step that requires the use of a video line. This routine does not transmit the necessary COM line commands to cause video line switching. Instead, it maintains a database of the current status of all video lines. In particular, this database keeps the available / busy status. When a program or function needs to use a video line, the video line allocation routine determines if any lines for the requested purpose are available, the lowest available for this program or feature Return to the program requesting the line. Upon receiving a request,
This routine consults an internal database to find out which lines have been marked as available and finds the first
Return to line number. When a process ends on a line, a request to release this line is executed.

Global COM line communication format (1) Supervisory computer directive Table 3 below shows the first of the SDLC I-fields in Fig. 23.
, A list of commands for transmitting commands from the parent CPU (200) of the supervising computer to the GCOM CPU (230) is shown.

The first "pass" command is used when it is necessary to derive a command from the general computer (32) as if it were directly output from the game maker (74). In addition, the command includes a passing station address that includes the address on the particular game maker's local COM line (75). The remainder of this command includes the game maker / child station command as defined above in the section on game maker communication. For example, if it is necessary to stop the operation of the pin setting machine immediately, a "pass" command may be used to stop the operation of the pin setting machine. This command also signals the game setter (76) to ignore any pin setting machine game commands. Subsequently, this command is used to release the pin setting machine from the accident stop state, and causes the game setter (76) to resume accepting the game command of the pin setting machine.

The second "blank lane" command is used when the manager wants to stop operating the game.

A third "prepare for new game input" command notifies the game maker (74) that the game being executed will be overwritten by the input of a new game, as described in more detail below.

The fourth “lane control” command gives start, stop and continuation of the game operation. In particular, this directive applies to lanes and
This includes selecting to start and clear the database, start and reset the game operation, stop the game operation, continue the game operation with the previous lane database, and stop the game setter.

A fifth "remote bowler support" command is issued to the controlling remote bowler input station (42) for the selected game maker bowler input station (18) as described in detail below.
To disable. The command may instruct the selected game maker to start or stop remote bowler support or include a key code representing the key pressed on the bowler input station (42).

The sixth "set color for overhead" command sets the default of the color to be displayed on the overhead monitor (20).

The seventh "transmit print database" command is used when a score sheet needs to be printed while the game is still running.

The eighth “lane movement” command is a game control step (76
As described above in 6), a game is used to transmit a game from one game maker (74) to a new game maker (74).

The ninth "game selection" command is used to enable or disable selections that can be used under the control of the game program. Such selections include using the excitation graphics under the control of the game program.

The tenth "video switching" directive is
Used to control the operation of either the video switch (40) or the selected game maker video switch (73). This command includes data formatted based on the particular switching arrangement desired.

The eleventh "peripheral control" command is used to activate or deactivate the overhead monitor (20L, 20R).

The twelfth "central control of the game" command is used to activate or deactivate various game peripherals, such as the foul detector (92), as described above. This command is also issued in response to an operator request entered using the keyboard (44) under the boring central control sub-function of the lane control process as described above, and is issued by the game maker (7.
Instruct 4) to set a new pin during the game. For example, if the setting table (108) accidentally falls over the pins during the pin pull-up and cleaning operations, and the pin fall data stored in the game maker memory does not accurately reflect the actual standing pins, A "game central control" command instructs the game maker (74) to send a "clean and set" command to the game setter (76). A third "clean and set" command from the game maker (74) to the game setter (76) is a pin input to the supervising computer keyboard (44) indicating the pin pattern that eventually stood on the deck. Includes setter data.

The thirteenth “League Record Service (LRS) roster human power” directive is used to power the roster of league bowling teams / members.

The fourteenth to seventeenth commands are used in connection with the video sub mechanism as described below. In addition, the fourteenth and fifteenth commands indicate when a video segment starts and ends. The sixteenth command indicates when the requested video segment becomes unavailable, as well as when the video disk is removed and the video source device (52) becomes unavailable. The seventeenth "video segment queue full" command occurs when a particular video segment is requested by many game makers (74) and, as a result, cannot be processed in the queue.

The eighteenth "remote terminal control" command is used to enable or disable various parts of the remote location terminal operation, such as a statistical support function for the ball trajectory.

The nineteenth “trajectory parameter” command is for the game maker (7
Send these orbit parameters to 4) and display them in raw form on the overhead monitor score sheet display screen.

The twentieth "game input" command is used when a game program is input. In addition, this command instructs the COM Talker sub-step (754) to retrieve the file into a new game and transmit it to the game maker (74). Transmission of the game program involves multiple block transmission over the global COM line (27). This multiple block transmission is sent to the appropriate game maker (74). The game maker (74) receives this transmission as a complete continuation block.

The 21st "remote location new input" command is used to transmit remote location terminal software, which includes a menu control and ball trajectory mechanism as well as a list of available display games by the game maker (74). Including control. In particular, the software is transmitted in response to game menu requests when activated.

The twenty-second "game database input block" command is used to replace a specific lane database block in the CMOS memory portion (758) shown in FIG. 24 from the central computer (32).

The twenty-third "overhead display message" command is used to transmit a message to the game maker (74) for display on the overhead monitor under the control process as described above.

The twenty-fourth "delete message" command is used to delete a message from a particular display.

(2) Data format of the supervising computer Table 4 below shows the data format numbers and their contents shown in FIG. 23, and these data formats are transmitted to the supervising computer (32). From 200)
GCOM CPU (230)
(200) is read through the read FIFO circuit (240).

A first "video segment request" data format, the video segment display remote location terpolymers Table 4 number data format video segment request for the database input block changes, a request for game selection menu, request game input, Input of bowler database for new game, input of bowler database at the end of game. Blank out bowler database entries, print bowler database entries.

Sent in response to a request from Minal (21). The request includes a code that correlates to the requested segment for the video segment limited file on the hard disk (270). This request is sent to the video subsystem, as described below, to generate a display of the requested video segment at the remote location terminal (21).

During game play, pin falls, records and other information are regularly provided by the game maker (74) to the supervising computer (32).
Is input to

The second "Database Input Block Change" data format periodically transmits scores and other data from the game maker (74) to the controlling computer (32) to replace specific backup lane database blocks. Used for

The third "game selection menu request" data format occurs upon activation and issues the twenty-first command to initiate transmission of the remote location terminal software to the game maker in the supervising computer (32). Let it.

The fourth "request game input" data format is transmitted after the bowler selects a new game number from the game selection menu.

If another type of game is requested by the game maker (74), a fifth data type occurs in the lane database block to indicate to the supervising computer (32) that a new game request has occurred. Enter If a game ends for all bowlers, the sixth
Occurs in the all lanes database block and is entered into the supervising computer with an indication that this has occurred due to the end of the game. When the control computer (32) requests blanking of the game, a seventh data format occurs in all lane database blocks, and an indication that this has occurred due to the lane blanking request is displayed to the control computer. Enter If Bowler wants to print the game score on the printer (46) as well as at the end of the game, an eighth data format requests the controlling computer (32) to enter the lane database entered for the current game. Print score sheet based on

Remote Location Terminal Operation The remote location terminal (21) operates under the control of the remote location terminal program to the game maker (74) from the general computer (32), as described above.
After downloading and initializing the program, a remote terminal task occurs and operates under GMOS control.
During the initialization of the mechanism, the video switcher (73) is initialized, the remote terminal manager task clears the remote location indicator (22), initializes the remote location keyboard (24), and the ball trajectory table manager・ Tasks (40
0) (see FIG. 21) is initialized.

The remote terminal manager task (404) operates in response to a request or request from the remote terminal keyboard (24) and controls the appropriate task according to the request. Such tasks include displaying another menu on the remote location monitor (22), requesting a dynamic video segment from the video source device (52), displaying a static ball trajectory display or statistical information. May be.

"Vitality" after initialization and on the keyboard (24)
At any time after pressing the key, the remote location monitor (22)
Displays the next activity menu. Vitality 1. New game 2. Starting method 3. Outline of new boring system 4. Ball trajectory display access 5. Ball trajectory device usage 6. Other topics The user can use the corresponding number keys on the keyboard (24). Pressing can request one of the activities displayed above. Selecting an activity number 1-3 or 6 gives access to the video sub-mechanism, described in more detail below, and shows the dynamic video display program at the remote terminal (21). In particular, the first "new game" activity provides a video display that teaches the user how to play various bowling games available to the central bowling control mechanism. The second “startup method” allows the user to select a training display that is used to teach techniques to improve bowling scores. The third "New Boring System Overview" activity provides a video display segment showing all features of the central boring control mechanism according to the present invention.

Selecting the fourth "ball trajectory display access" activity enables access to the ball trajectory display management sub mechanism (402). When this ball trajectory display activity is selected, a ball trajectory display menu including a list of bowlers in the pair of lanes and a number given to each bowler is generated. The user is required to enter the number given to one of the bowlers, the frame in which the trajectory display should be generated, and the ball. The frame and ball qualifiers are game-dependent variables retrieved from the game by the trajectory table manager (400). The selected trajectory is displayed when the user presses the "Enter" key, as long as the trajectory is included in the bowler's trajectory table, ie, not marked invalid. In this case, a message about the effect is displayed. The ball trajectory display management menu is selected from the activity menu and continues to be displayed until a predetermined time elapses, unless an action is performed on the remote location keyboard (24). Thereafter, the display returns to the activity menu. Similarly, the ball trajectory is displayed for a predetermined period of time, but if there is no response from the keyboard (24), the display returns to the updated ball trajectory display menu.

A ball trajectory graphic display (780) as shown on the remote location monitor (22) is shown in FIG. This display (780)
Consists of the following elements:

1. Digitized color image showing paired lanes (781).

2.8 Two ball positions are optionally indicated by ball images (782a-h) (see left lane) or curves (783) (see right lane), indicating the ball positions taken as the ball moves along the length of the lane.

3. The bowler name, frame,
Ball number.

4. The actual lane number graphically superimposed on the image (78
Five).

5. Advice (786) that allows the user to access the "Help" menu.

6. Up to four ball trajectory parameters (788a-d) that can be displayed numerically on the trajectory display. These parameters can be specified by the Bowler using certain special features / selection menus (described below) at the remote location terminal (21), by individual default morphology flags downloaded in the current game, or optionally. Is done. The four parameters are selected from a range of values that includes the ball trajectory record. In the illustrated display, the parameter is the pitch angle (788
a), hourly background speed (788b), ball position (788
c) [Depending on the lane board at a predetermined distance from the left or right side of the bowling lane. For example, 45 feet from the 789 fal line], and foreground speed (788
d).

The trajectory display is plotted on the left or right lane image corresponding to the lane where the ball is actually thrown. The illustrated display includes information on both left and right lanes, but information on only one lane is displayed at any time. 4
The selected group of trajectory parameters is displayed on the side of the lane image on which the ball is thrown.

If the user selects the activity number 5, "How to use the ball orbital device", from the activity menu, the following menu is displayed. Ball Orbiter Usage 1. Demonstration 2. Basics 3. Advice 4. Special Features / Options Menu options 1-3 allow an informational video sequence to be displayed from one of the video source devices 52 using a video sub-mechanism. Option 4 displays the next menu. Special Characteristics / Options 1. Statistical analysis at remote terminal 2. Overhead trajectory display 3. Hard copy report creation 4. Parameter change at remote terminal 5. Parameter change for overhead display 6. Statistical analysis at MCD Boring central control The device performs statistical property analysis,
Means for displaying it. These means are available for execution on a game maker (74), a general computer (32) or a league record service (34). The game maker based analysis is optionally available from the general controller (26) and is processed on a game dependent basis. Each bowler can select only one analysis to view using option number 1 from the special properties / options menu. Statistical analysis results can be viewed at the remote terminal (21). Optionally, the results can be printed on a score sheet printer driven by the general computer (22). However, such printing can obviously occur automatically at the end of the game.

The data source of the statistical analysis is the ball trajectory table (408: 21st
As shown above, this receives data from the ball trajectory unit (80) for each pitch of each ball as described above.
The statistical analysis package allows bowlers to see statistical graphs of the data for the current game and also for previous games. Once the game is completed, a graph of the game can be printed on the general computer (32).

The statistical analysis package is part of the remote location program that exists at each game maker (74). However, not all games involve packages. Especially,
Each game will include a default option that determines whether the statistics option should be displayed when the bowler wants to view the statistics at the remote location terminal (21). The bowler's selectable flag also determines whether the bowler is allowed to change the default options at the remote location terminal (21). If the bowler selection flag is incorrect and the default option is not set to none, the statistics package will not allow any statistical results to be viewed.

The general control mechanism (26) responds at the printer (46) to print a hard copy of the statistical data (second
See figure). The calculation of the statistical information is performed by a program driven by the general computer (32) together with the generation of the printed output. In particular, a graph may be printed for each bowler whose statistic option was not "none" for the game for which the statistic option should be printed. The actual options for each bowler are included in the trajectory data upload that typically occurs upon completion of each game, as described above. The game option function of the general control mechanism (26) is used to set default option values and bowler selection flags.

The statistics package display available at the remote location terminal (21) may be for the game currently in progress or for the last game when two or more games have been completed. Statistical packages are not available for empty lanes.

To get the statistics package, Bowler selects Statistical Analysis from the special properties / options menu at the remote terminal. From this menu, Bowler will choose the next menu. Statistics Package 1. Current Game Statistics View 2. Previous Game Statistics View 3. Statistics Options If you choose to view any game, Bowla will be given a list of bowlers and will be available for which bowler stats you have selected You will be asked to confirm.
To display the graph, the bowler presses the number corresponding to the name and the ENTER key. This gives a graph. If the game is a cross-lane game, then the display will first show the graph for the left lane, giving the advice "Press ADVACE to see more statistics". Pressing the ADVACE key will display the statistics for the right lane. When all graphs have been viewed, the user gets the advice "press RETURN".

The RETURN key shows the view statistics menu,
Can be pressed at any time. The statistics display screen can be terminated by pressing the ACTIVITEIS key.

Each bowler has the opportunity to select the type of graph to be displayed, assuming that the bowler selection flag is true for the game being played. This option can be changed by Bowler at any time,
Both the preceding games can be displayed. However, in order to receive a printout at the overall control (32), the actual option when the game is completed determines the graph to be printed. Once a choice is made, it effectively stays until the lane is empty or a different game is downloaded.

To change the choice of options, the user selects a statistics option from the statistics package menu. In this menu, each bowler name is combined with an identification number and an option value number. If a game has just been downloaded, the default
Options appear after each bowler's name. If the default option is none, the bowler is asked to change the option to display a graph or to have the general control mechanism (26) print out.

To change the default option, the bowler presses its identification number and ENTER to see which bowler option number he wants to change. Here, an option selection menu appears listing each of the options and their corresponding numbers. These options include
Eight ball grid center positions determined by the ball trajectory unit 80 and the foreground / background speed are included.

There are two types of graphs that can be displayed on the remote terminal unit (21) and printed by the general controller (26). That is, a speed graph and a position graph. The sample data for these graphs is the first pitch for a standard game only, or each pitch for games that do not use standard frame / ball ordering, such as the customized games described above. The sample data is further divided into left and right graphs. If only one lane appears in the sample data, only one graph is generated.

A position graph representation is shown in FIG. 32A, which includes an axis for the number of trials and the lateral ball position represented by the board number from each side. The scale for the number of trials is variable. If 16 or more test runs are performed on the same board, each step represents 2 test runs and the number of test runs for each board is rounded to the nearest even number. The board number axis of the graph always displays 15 boards. The graph center board number is always 20 for the headpin entry position. For other locations, the graph center board number is the arithmetic mean of the sample data rounded to the nearest perfect number. The board number range is seven boards to the left and right of the graph center board number, or if the graph center board number is seven
If less, 15 boards towards the center of the lane, counting from the gutter.

The gutter ball is considered board zero for the purpose of calculating the average board position. Once the graph center board number has been calculated, all samples outside the 15-board range are rejected and are not considered for the samples shown on the graph.

Referring to FIG. 32B, the display format for the speed graph is shown here. Since the number of pitches can be very large, the speed graph is divided into sections of up to 15 pitches per graph. The number of pitches raised at the bottom of the graph indicates a relative pitch from the start of the game, not from the beginning of the graph. General controller (2
When printed in 1), the generated graph is a scatter chart. At the remote terminal unit (21), the graph is a two-point line chart. The hourly axis of the speed graph is centered on the median speed for the entire sample rounded to the nearest perfect number. Only perfect number labels are shown for the axis scale.

Each display in FIGS. 32A and 32B includes identification of bowlers, left lanes, and right lanes, as well as information about the average value of the sampled data, deviation values, and sample size.

Selecting the second option in the special properties / options menu for overhead trajectory display creates a video information sequence in connection with a bowling game that uses ball trajectory data for display or scoring. The third option, "Create Hardcopy Report", is a video display segment that shows the means of creating a ball trajectory report printed on a score sheet printer (46) driven by the general computer (32). These indicated reports may include a raw data list of orbital information or statistical analysis results. Choosing the fourth "Modify Remote Terminal Parameters" option allows the user to specify the trajectory parameter values to be displayed with the ball trajectory display.
788a-d can be chosen. The initial menu includes a numbered list of bowler names along with a ball trajectory display selection menu and the like. The user selects an appropriate bowler name from here. The trajectory display options menu includes a pre-selected group of four different ball trajectory parameters from which the user can select a parameter group. For example, one of the ten options may include a combination of four xy grid positions, or any combination of four grid positions, speed indications, and pitch angles. In addition, the user may change the trajectory of the ball image
You can choose to mark with or use a curve connecting the eight measured ball positions. Once a selection has been made, pressing the return key will allow the user to leave this function and return to the special properties / options menu.

A video demonstration is shown of how to select option 5, score sheet display option from this special feature / option menu, and how to select score sheet display option at the general control desk.
In particular, a function is provided that allows the selection of special trajectory parameters for display by any game scoresheet routine. The scoresheet trajectory parameter display / selection menu on the summary monitor advises the administrator to select three of the twelve ball trajectory parameters to be displayed as part of the game scoresheet. An additional option involves the use of game default parameters. When used, the "Use Game Defaults" option causes the equipment manager to override manual selection of display parameters and automatically use the default group specified for each game. If this option is enabled, the selected parameters on the monitor will be ignored, but still shown as selected. This allows the administrator to quickly and effectively switch the score sheet parameter display between game dependent defaults and manual selection.

The sixth option provides a display of video segments that illustrate the characteristics of the statistical analysis package accessible to bowlers.

Video Subsystem When a video display program or segment (present on a video disk or tape loaded into one of the video source devices 52) is requested, the video subsystem (which is part of the general computer software) is required. ) Is used to send video information from a particular video source device (52) to a remote monitor (22). This subsystem can also be used to send video information to the overhead monitor (20). A flowchart for the operation of the video subsystem is shown in FIG.

The video subsystem is started at decision block (800) and the video system request is sent to the game maker (7
4) Determine if it has been done. Especially,
Such a request is included in the request of the first data type described above. The first request contains information sent from the game maker local COM device to the general computer (32). For example, requesting a "new game" activity from the activity menu described above would cause such a request at the remote terminal. If a video subsystem is requested, the video subsystem may go to block (802) and enter a specific game maker (7
4) Abort any liveliness or awaiting request from. Thereafter, a decision block (804) determines whether the selected segment or program is available on any of the video devices (52). If the segment is available, a decision block (806) then determines whether the queue for the particular segment is full. If not, a queue request is made at block (808). Decision block (804)
If the segment selected by the decision in is not available,
Alternatively, when the queue is full as determined in the decision block (806), the specific game maker (74) issues the 16th and 17th instructions, etc., in the block (810). Is informed about the occurrence of such a situation.

If the video subsystem is not requested by the game maker, as determined at block (800), or after the game maker is notified at block (810), or a queue request is made at block (808). Thereafter, a decision block (812) determines whether the video device is available for any current queue request. If video equipment is available,
In block (814), the supervising computer sends a video switch command, command No. 10, to the game maker (74).
In particular, the video switch command signals the game task running at the game maker (74), and the selected segment will be sent for that wide area video line (61). The game maker 74 responds to this command by activating the corresponding video switch 73 to connect the selected video and audio lines 61-68 to the remote terminal 21 as described above. Thereafter, at decision block (816), the supervising computer determines whether any other game makers (74) are waiting for a particular segment. If so, the supervising computer (32) sends video switch commands to the other game makers (74), which actuate their video switches (73) to a specific wide area video line (61). And the audio line (68) to the remote terminal (21). Then, in block (820), the supervising computer is the local COM
A particular video device (52) is commanded via line (29) to start playing a video segment and to inform the game maker (74) that this segment has been started using the fourteenth command. The timer also starts.

At decision block (822), the video subsystem:
Determines whether the segment has finished playing. If not, the decision block determines whether the current time has exceeded a predetermined time value X relating to the expected duration of this particular video segment. If not, control returns to decision block (822). Timer has value X
Video device is blocked (82
Marked as "broken" in 6). If the segment has been implemented, such as determined in decision block (822), game maker (74) is informed of this fact using block 15 instructions in block (828).

After the game maker has been informed that the segment has been performed at block (828), or after the device has been marked as "broken" at block (826), or the video device in the queue is in the decision block (812)
If it is not available because it is determined by (830)
Checks the status of any "broken" video devices.
The decision block (832) determines whether there has been any response from the "broken" video device. If there is no response, at block (834), the video device is marked as available.

Subsequently, the decision block (836) returns to the game maker (7
4) Determine if you are requesting a message.
If not, the subsystem ends. If the game maker is requesting a message, the message file is blocked (838) on disk (270).
Is read from the specific message, block (84
At 0), it is sent to the game maker (74) using the 23rd command. Then the subsystem ends.

Ball Trajectory Management Subsystem Referring to FIG. 31, this flowchart illustrates the operation of the ball trajectory management subsystem. In particular, this ball trajectory management subsystem includes a ball trajectory display management task
(850) (see Fig. 21) to display orbit information on the remote monitor (22) using the
An operation performed under the game task of retrieving trajectory data to provide a score sheet display (852).

Remote monitor track display operation (850), block (854)
And creates the above-mentioned activity menu to be displayed on the remote monitor (22). The decision block (856) determines whether the user has selected the fourth vitality, ball trajectory display access from the vitality menu. If so, at block (858), a bowler selection menu is displayed and a timer is started. Next, block (860)
Determines whether bowler selection information has been entered. In particular, the user may use a bowler name,
You must enter the frame number and ball number.
If the selected information has not been entered, a decision block (862) determines whether the timer has exceeded a predetermined value X. If not, control returns to decision block (860). If the timer has exceeded the predetermined value X, the system times out and the ball trajectory management subsystem returns to the starting point and displays the activity menu.

If bowler information has been input, for example, as determined in the determination block (860), a ball trajectory record corresponding to the selection information is searched in the block (864). This record
Includes eight xy grid positions, a 45 foot x position, foreground, background ball speed and pitch angle. The trajectory data is sent to the display format at block (866), and a ball trajectory is created at block (868) and displayed on the remote monitor (22) as described above (see FIG. 29).
A timer is also started in block (868).

The ball trajectory display has been displayed on the remote monitor (22) for a predetermined period. In addition, the user can request a help function for instructing what kind of game to proceed. Decision block (870) determines whether a help function has been requested. If not requested,
A decision block (872) determines whether a predetermined time Y has been exceeded. If not, control returns to decision block (870). If the specified time has been exceeded,
Control returns to block (858) to display the bowler selection menu, allowing the user to select the next trajectory display. If help is requested at decision block (870), various help options are displayed at block (874). The subsystem then waits at decision block (876) until the help function has completed, and then returns to the starting point.

If, in decision block (856), the trajectory display was not selected, decision block (878) determines whether the special characteristics menu was selected. If not, the display activity menu remains displayed at block (854). If the special property menu was selected,
The special properties / options menu is displayed in block (880). Next, a decision block (882) determines whether a remote terminal parameter option has been requested. As described above, in the remote terminal parameter options, the user selects one orbit display option and one of two display options from a list of ten predefined groups of four orbit parameters. be able to. Block (884)
At, the subsystem obtains a specific parameter group number, such as entered on the remote keyboard (24), and at block (886) obtains a trajectory display option. Thereafter, control returns to block (880). This information, in turn,
Used when a trajectory display is created. To exit the special properties option, the user must enter the remote keyboard (74)
Press the upper ACTIBITIES key to return to the activity menu.

As mentioned above, during the game, the game maker scoresheet video system is operable to display three ball trajectory parameters on the overhead display (20) under the control of the game program task. Certain parameters may be selected under the control of the game program, or may be manually overridden by the general computer 32. Trajectory display options for search (85
2) The score sheet from the ball trajectory management subsystem
Used to transfer data to the video system. Operation starts in decision block (890), where it is determined whether the scoresheet system is requesting trajectory data. This request is made as part of the “game in progress” task after the ball is thrown (see FIG. 21). If no request has been made, the subsystem returns to the starting point. If data has been requested, at block (892) the requested record is retrieved and at block (894) the data is formatted for display. This formatted data is sent to the scoresheet video system. Then the work returns to the starting point.

Bowler Statistics Display System Referring to Figures 33A-33E, this flow chart illustrates the operation of the program portion for the remote location terminal for the bowler statistics display system.

The bowler statistics display operation starts at block (900) and extracts the option number and bowler number to be used to create the display screen. In particular, this information, as described above, is transmitted to the user at the remote location terminal unit (21).
Obtained when you request statistics from. The decision block (902) verifies that the option number is not out of range. If the option number is out of range, an error message is displayed at block (904) and system operation ends at block (906). If the option number is not out of range, the program will block (90
In step 8), the trajectory data table (408) is referred to (see FIG. 21), the stored data is read out, and the control proceeds to node 33 through FIG. 33B.

At block (916), the program points to the first bowler's data record using the bowler number as an index. At decision block (922), the program causes the bowler to graphically display the velocity data, ie,
Determine if you have been selected for option 9 or 10. If so, control proceeds to Node B, described below with reference to FIG. 33E.

If the bowler is not selected to graphically display the speed option, indicating that position data is to be displayed, control proceeds to block (924) to access data for the particular bowler. Then block (92
In 6), the program obtains the x coordinate of the ball at the selected position. The selected position represents the number of feet from the starting point of the lane. Thereafter, through node C, control proceeds to decision block (928), which determines whether the coordinates of the ball are known. If not, decision block (930) determines whether the coordinates indicate that the ball is in the left groove, i.e., the gutter. If not, decision block (932) determines that the x-coordinate indicates that the ball is in the right groove. If the condition in any of the decision blocks (928, 930 or 932) is true, then in block (934) this x-coordinate is set to zero for the left gutterball, set to 40 for the right gutterball, It is set to 41 for invalid data. If not, the x coordinate is divided by 4 and adjusted to give an integer value between 1 and 39 in block (934).

From either block (934) or (936), control proceeds to decision block (938) to determine whether the x coordinate is greater than or equal to zero and less than or equal to 40. If not, at block (940), the x coordinate is set to 41, indicating that the x coordinate is unknown. In any case, block (94
In 2), the coordinates are zero for the left gutter ball,
Must be 1-39 for balls above the lane limit, 40 for right gutterballs and 41 for unknown coordinates. At block (944), the x-coordinate number is added to the accumulator used to determine the average position, as described below. If this particular x coordinate is the highest or lowest value retrieved, the appropriate register storing this information is updated in block (946) and control proceeds through node D to FIG. 33C. .

Block (948) operates to record the number of occurrence segments for each x coordinate. Next, a decision block (950) determines whether the particular frame being analyzed is the last frame in the game.
If not, at block (952), control increments to the next data frame and returns through node E through block (924) (see FIG. 33D) to obtain x coordinate information for the next frame. .

When analyzing the last frame, control proceeds from decision block (950) to block (954) to store the highest and lowest values. Then the average of all values is blocked (95
It is calculated in 6).

The decision block (958) determines whether the graph to be displayed is for position number 8 indicating a headpin. If so, the average is blocked (96
0) is set to 20. If not, control passes through node F to decision block (962) to determine if the average is less than eight. If so,
The average is set to 8 in block (964). If not, a decision block (966) determines whether the average value is greater than 32. If so, the average is set to 32 in block (968). In particular, as mentioned above, the average value is used to determine the center point of the display, and if it is neither less than 8 nor greater than 32,
The board number is 20 with respect to the headpin, and all other positions are averaged.

From any of the blocks (960, 964, 968), control proceeds to block (970) to save the average value that is to be used as the center of the graph for display. As a result, in block (972), the average value must be greater than or equal to 8 and less than or equal to 32. Control then passes through node G to FIG. 33D, which provides a location indication by storing data representing the indication at the appropriate storage location, as described above.

At block (974), the scale of the graph is set in memory with respect to the number of test balls. The look of the graph shows the mean, deviation and sample size and is set in block (976). The range of x-coordinate values is block (9
72) is set in block (978) based on the calculated average value described above (see FIG. 33C). The y coordinate axis for the graph is set in block (980). Block (9
In step 82), the bar display size for each x coordinate position is set according to the number of test throws for the specified board number. The scale for the board number indicating the label for the x-axis is set in block (984).

As a result of the specific information set in blocks (974-984), a complete display screen is formed in memory in block (986), and the stored information is stored in the statistical position data as shown in FIG. 32A. For display, the remote location terminal monitor (22) is used to provide this formed display screen, as described above.

Thereafter, if the game being played is a cross-lane game, a decision block (988) determines whether the graph is for the right lane. If so, the program ends at block (990). If not, control proceeds to block (992), which translates to right lane operation by incrementing the lane number register, returns to decision block (922) through node H (see FIG. 33B), and Form a display screen.

If the bowler has been selected to graphically display the velocity data in decision block (922), control begins in block (994) (see FIG. 33E) to search for velocity data for the first frame. At block (996), the speed of the selected foreground or background is retrieved based on the selected option number. At block (998), the speeds are added to obtain a cumulative sum of all speeds used to determine the average information, as described below.

In block (1000), the minimum and maximum speed information is updated, and the speed for a specific frame is blocked (1002)
Saved in. The decision block (1004) then determines whether the data is for the last frame. Otherwise, at block (1006), control increments to the next frame and returns to block (996) to retrieve information about the next frame.

If the data is for the last frame,
Control passes to block (1008) where the lowest and highest speed values representing the deviation data are stored. At block (1010), the average speed is determined by dividing the total speed by the number of samples. The number of samples is also saved for display.

Subsequent blocks are used to configure the display memory to form the desired display screen. In particular, a graph level identifying bowlers and lanes is set in memory at block (1012). The x and y axes of the graph are blocks (101
Set in 4). The number of pitches to be displayed based on the selected data is set in block (1016). Finally, the position for each pitch count is set in block (1018). The stored data is used in block (1020) to create a display screen on monitor (22), as shown in FIG. 32B.

For cross-lane bowling, the decision block (10
22) determines if the graph is for the right lane. If so, the program ends at block (1024). Otherwise, control increments to the right lane and calculates its speed reading in block (1026), and control passes through node H to decision block (922).
(See FIG. 33B).

In addition to the above, a program for creating hardcopy printouts is provided by the general computer (32).
Used by These printouts are given for any of the ten preceding games, but not for the current game. Hardcopy printouts generally resemble a monitor display screen. In particular, the program incremented by the general computer (32) is substantially the same, except that the program checks information about lane numbers and special game numbers. Also, the general computer program operates to retrieve data from files on disk for printing on a printer, rather than displaying it on a monitor.

Thus, the statistical package disclosed herein can provide both a visual display and a hardcopy printout display for use by bowlers in analyzing bowling ball trajectory information.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a generalized block diagram showing an overall view of a central boring control mechanism according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram showing the general control mechanism and the video / audio controller shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram of the lane-to-controller shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the automatic pin setting device with various components removed for clarity. FIG. 5 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 4, seen from the opposite side of the pin setting device. FIG. 6 is a generalized block diagram showing an electrical controller for a game setter for controlling a pair of pin setting machines. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the common box of FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a CPU board of the game setter of FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the game setter I / O board of FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the high voltage interface box of FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the pin setting machine operation executed by the game setter of FIG. 12A to 12D are detailed block diagrams of a game maker / game control device and a general computer according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a communication interface circuit.
It is a diagram. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing bowler input. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a bowler input station keyboard overlane. FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a video switch according to the present invention. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing circuits for the video input switch block, video output switch block and audio switch block of FIG. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a circuit for the monitor switch block of FIG. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a circuit for the control decoder block of FIG. FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a remote location terminal. FIG. 21 is a system diagram for managing ball trajectory data. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a data field for an information frame for transmitting data via a communication line. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a data field for transmitting data between the main central processing unit and the communication central processing unit. 24A to 24C are flowcharts showing the operation of the operation mechanism for the game maker. FIG. 25A to FIG. 26H are flowcharts showing the program operation for the pseudo golf game. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a graphic display format for a pseudo golf game displayed on an overhead monitor. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a graphic display format used in combination with another golf game program. FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing the entire processing apparatus for operating the software of the general computer. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a graphic display format for displaying a ball trajectory. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the operation of the video subsystem according to the present invention. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a ball trajectory management subsystem according to the present invention. FIGS. 32A and 32B are graphs of the display of the bowler statistics package. FIGS. 33A-33E are flowcharts describing the operation of the program for the bowler statistics package. In the attached drawings, 10: central boring control mechanism, 12: boring lane, 14: pin setting machine, 16: lane-to-control mechanism, 18
…… Bowler input station, 20 …… Overhead
Display monitor, 21 Remote terminal, 22 Display monitor, 24, 44 Keyboard, 26 General control, 27
… Wide area COM communication line, 28… Video / audio control mechanism, 29, 75… General office COM line, 32… General computer, 34… League record service computer, 36…
… Modem, 38 …… RS232 type transmission interface device, 4
0 ... video switch, 42 ... bowler input station, 46 ... coupon printer, 48 ... DTS interface board, 50 ... DTS cash register, 52 ... video source means, 54 ... video line, 56 … Video driver, 62… Audio driver, 73… Video switch, 74… Game maker, 76… Game setter, 80…
... Ball orbit device, 86 ... Optical scanner, 92 ... Fall detector, 96 ... Common box, 200 ... Parent CPU, 202 ...
... DRAM, 204 ... EPROM, 206 ... CMOS RAM, 230 ... GCOM
CPU.

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor David El Mauer's United States 49443, Michigan, Muskegon, West Laketon Ave. 6925

Claims (14)

(57) [Claims] 1. A bowling central statistics display operable to display graphical information regarding the movement of a bowling ball in a continuous path, comprising: a processor in communication with a display; an operator input device; and operating the processor. A control unit including storage means for storing data including a program to be executed, data generation means for generating individual trajectory data representing a moving path of a bowling ball on a bowling lane, and connected to the data generation means. Means for transmitting the trajectory data to the control unit for storage in the storage means; and connected to the storage means, wherein the stored individual ones are stored in response to a user request at the operator input device. A display is generated according to the orbital data, and a boring Means for transmitting statistical information about selected trajectory variables for a plurality of movements of the ball. 2. A control system comprising: a central processing unit in communication with a display; an operator input device; and storage means for storing data including a program for operating the central processing unit. A unit, and data receiving means for receiving trajectory data representing the path of the bowling ball when the bowling ball is moving on the bowling lane; connected to the data receiving means, and controlling the trajectory data. Means for sending to a unit for storage in the storage means; and connected to the storage means for responding to a user request at the operator input device for providing statistical data relating to the path of the plurality of bowling balls at the selected orbital position in response to a user request at the operator input device. Calculation means for calculating, and display data connected to the calculation means Transmitting means for transmitting the display data to the display device, the display data using the calculated data to convey information on the paths of a plurality of bowling balls on the lane. apparatus. 3. The central bowling statistics display device according to claim 2, wherein said transmitting means delivers stored data representing individual positions of a path of a bowling ball on a lane. Display device. 4. The stored ball trajectory display device of claim 3 wherein said transmission means represents a bar graph indicating the number of bowling balls traversing a plurality of individual lateral locations on the bowling lane. And a bowling ball trajectory display device. 5. The bowling ball trajectory display device according to claim 4, wherein said bar graph is for a selected vertical position on a bowling lane. 6. The bowling ball trajectory display device according to claim 2, wherein the information carried by the display signal includes a numerical symbol corresponding to the accumulated statistical data. 7. The bowling ball statistical display device according to claim 6, wherein said numerical symbol indicates an average value of the displayed statistical data. 8. The bowling ball statistical display device according to claim 6, wherein the numerical symbol indicates a change in the displayed statistical data. 9. The bowling ball statistics display device according to claim 2, wherein said transmitting means transmits display data representing speeds of a plurality of bowling balls thrown on a bowling lane. Bowling ball statistics display. 10. A bowling ball trajectory statistical display device, comprising: a central processing unit in communication with a display, an operator input device, and a storage unit for storing data including a program for operating the central processing unit. Data generating means for generating trajectory data representing the path of the bowling ball when the bowling ball is moving on the bowling lane; and connected to the data generating means, and transmitting the trajectory data to the control unit. Means for transmitting to the storage means and storing the data representing the trajectory data for a plurality of bowling ball paths relating to the selected trajectory variable under the control of the central processing unit from the storage means. Means connected to the data collection means and transmitted to the display device. It is by bowling ball trajectory statistical display device characterized in that it comprises a means for generating a display data carrying statistics for multiple bowling ball path Selection trajectory variables. 11. A bowling lane display controller comprising: a central processing unit; storage means for storing data; and a display terminal operable to display video information upon receipt of a video signal. A game control unit; data generating means for generating trajectory data representing a path of the bowling ball when the bowling ball is moving on the bowling lane;
Detecting means for detecting when a ball has been thrown, and said trajectory data being connected to the data generating means and the game control unit in response to the detecting means for detecting a bowling ball being thrown; Means for sending to a game control unit for storage in said storage means; data collection means for collecting from said storage means data representing trajectory data for a plurality of bowling ball paths relating to selected trajectory variables; control of said central processing unit And operates to access the collected data and send display data to the display terminal, the display data carrying statistical information representing a plurality of bowling ball paths for a selected trajectory variable. A bowling lane display control device, comprising: a display control means configured as described above. 12. The bowling lane display control device according to claim 11, wherein said display terminal includes a video display and an operator input means for requesting a bowler statistics display, and said display control means includes said operator input means. A boring lane display controller for delivering said display data in response to a request from the means. 13. The bowling lane display control device according to claim 11, wherein the storage means of the bowling game control unit stores ball trajectory data for the entire bowling game.
Lane display control device. 14. The bowling lane display control device according to claim 11, further comprising a video display monitor connected to said game control unit and operable to display video information when a video signal is received. A remote terminal unit, a user input device connected to the game control unit for requesting video display information, and in combination with the bowling game control unit, activating the transmission means in response to the user input request And a remote terminal control means for transmitting display data to the video display monitor.