JPH01500405A - electronic darts game device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Auto-scoring electronic target game device with display. vinegar This application is a continuation in part of U.S. Patent No. 926.916, filed November 3, 1986. This is an application.

11 to IL This invention generally relates to an electronic game device, and particularly to an electronic game device that automatically registers the scores obtained by the players. The present invention relates to a computerized darts game device shown in FIG. Its main aspects Stay.

This invention provides a display for displaying information regarding the game status and the game being played. An improved computerized electronic target game device characterized by the performance It's about location.

An electronic darts game device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,251 to Jones et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,660 to Zamutto and U.S. Pat. It is well known from Japanese Patent No. 4,586,716. These patents are effectively held by one person. to avoid puncturing the skin of the target, and to prevent damage from hitting objects other than the target board. "Safe" dars manufactured with thin, pliable plastic tips This relates to the use of tools. Johns et al. A row of target plates with a large number of closely spaced holes to make the darts safe. Introducing the divided dart board. The impact force of the thrown dart moves the target plate. the related switch is instantly closed to electrically display the hit of the dart. Jiru. Zamutto biases the target area to increase reliability in scoring hard rubber damper sheets and printed mylar sheet matrices for Improved the game by using custom switches. moreover.

Breyerher et al. double as on the official Bristol Darts board of the British Darts Association Stepped up the game by offering Venus.

Original painting! and! car The main purpose of this invention is to provide various information about darts games including scoring and instruction information. Provides an electronic darts game device having a display device for displaying information. It's about doing. This new display features a feature that was previously only scored by hand. Scoring and game states for darts games that have relatively complex rules The goal is to enable the display of

The purpose associated with this invention is to make it interesting and enjoyable for darts game competitors. The method is to use a display device to display darts game information.

Another important object of this invention is to provide static equipment that is easily removed and replaced from the game. Store rules and instructions for a variety of different dart games in an electronic storage device. It must be stored electronically. Modify the new darts game thereby , and provides a convenient device for introduction.

Pa’s easy t;H Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic darts game device embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship between internal components of the game device.

FIG. 2a is a block diagram showing the relationship between internal components of a game device in another embodiment. This is a diagram.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the power-up sequence of the game device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the diagnostic routine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the setup procedure.

Figures 6 to 9 are flowcharts depicting the logical flow of the darts cricket game. It is.

Although this invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is It will be understood that there is no intent to limit the specific implementation of, on the contrary, , within the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims. It is intended to cover all such changes, modifications, and the like.

-t of day; B Now, referring to Figure 1, Figure 1 shows a cabinet 12 that stands vertically. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention having an electronic dart board 11. Electronic darts board 1 1 is used as a target for darts 13 adapted to be thrown onto the board.

Darts do not actually pierce the skin and can be used to accidentally hit objects other than dart boards. Preferably a "safe" type that is unlikely to be damaged by barrels. . The dart board 11 has a plurality of separate target parts.

That is, it is divided into plates 14 representing different target areas. Each target plate is After being thrown, the tip makes the dart at the target safe and hits the target. Contains a number of closely spaced holes for

The target plate 14 has a web-like web of radially extending ribs and concentric ribs. It is slidably attached to the frame 15. thereby preventing lateral movement of the target area do.

When a dart hits, it deflects from one of the targets and instead of just bouncing off the ribs. Each rib is generally triangular in cross section so that it fits into the hole. spiderweb-like fly To ensure proper sliding on the system 15, the target portion 14 typically has a gravelly outer edge. It has a guiding device added to it. Each of the target parts is The switch is placed in a position where the impact force of the tool instantly sends a signal that the target has been hit. It has a switch device disposed to return the target portion. At that time, the target part is on the board. Return to normal open position. The switch associated with the target area resembles a hard rubber sheet. Usually opened by biasing the target against the surface of the board using an elastic bias material. kept in position. Switching desired duration and continuity during momentum transfer from darts A printed mylar sheet switch matrix is used to provide is preferable.

Different dart games and number of players are displayed on the control panel 16 of the dart game device. Several push button switches to choose between various game options such as There are 17. If necessary, send a signal to the game when a particular player has taken his turn. A next player button is provided. Competitor throws a dart and complete If the dart board is removed at the end of the game, the player throws three darts and his turn is The game continues until the contestant presses the next player button indicating that they have missed the mark. A pair of coin slots 18, which cannot be detected, are coin-operated. It is placed on a mechanical leg to operate the game version.

The display device 19 displays various information regarding the operation and status of the game. It is placed on the side of the control panel 16 for monitoring. In the early stages of the game, The spray mount M19 depends on the number of coins that can be put into the machine and the corresponding possible game options. The number of players in the game, indicating the number of players in the game, is the number of coins received through the coin slot 18. Determined by the number of ins. The display device 19 displays games and game competitions. Here, as a function of the 1 display ability that guides the contestants by selecting the number of The display device 19 described is a video display screen, a liquid crystal display, Sixth-order display where two or more display devices such as electronic displays are possible As is clear from the description.

The display device of the invention is a video display screen and/or a liquid crystal display. Contains play. Typically.

One of the pushbuttons on the control panel acts as a sequencer with various games possible. , while the other pushbutton is used to select the current game in that sequence. be done.

During the selection process, the display device provides selectable options to the contestant. Ru. A series of audible tones are played over the speaker 20 to guide the contestant through the selection process. For example, a bell generated by 1 signals that a contestant's selection has been registered. used to help him by. The buzzer also indicates that he made an invalid selection. let them know what you are trying to do.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the internal components of the invention is shown. Ma The microprocessor 22 has an audio circuit 23. Activate the video generation circuit 24 to generate the target head. A series of signals are sent from the board 34 and the control panel input/output circuit 26 to ensure proper game operation. Erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) 27 for It is at the heart of the operation by providing signals to execute the encoded instructions.

In the block diagram of the internal components of another embodiment shown in FIG. 2a, the LCD driver The dynamic circuit 4 responds to the received signal from the microprocessor 22 and displays the liquid crystal display. Drive the device 3. Because the microprocessor calculates and stores temporary values A random access memory (RAM) 28 is used as a work area. RAM2 8 is supplied with an internal battery backup (not shown), and this small area of memory is It is desirable that the area be retained when high scores, game popularity data, or power is turned off. It is used by the microprocessor 22 to store similar values. EP ROM 27 contains all the microprocessor instructions necessary for the correct operation of the game. I'm reading. This includes instructions for initial setup, game selection and contestant selection processes. , contains all of the instructions needed to play each of the possible games.

According to one important aspect of the invention, EPROM 27 is easily removed and instructions that are interchanged so that a different set of instructions is used for the operation. contained within a single device such as a cartridge. This feature applies to specific game rules. rule and maybe such a rule is more common or more preferred. provide convenient equipment for a given geographical area. No such changes All other components and connections must be connected to the EPROM 27 or They are identical except for panel 16 which lists the games available for purchase. This feature is Also. Make sure that the game changes periodically and becomes more popular. Also used to keep track of possible games or rules.

The synchronization of the various operations of this device is achieved by the coin being dropped into the machine or by some control. interrupts and resets to the device, such as those that occur when a control panel signal is received. This is done through a reset and interrupt timing circuit 29 that provides a warning of a shut-down condition. It will be done. The signal from the pushbutton input 30 on the control panel is sent to the control panel input/output circuit 26. is coupled to the device via. The indicator light 31 on the control panel also. This system It is driven by the control panel input/output circuit 26. The microprocessor 22 has various Applicable to the audio circuit 23 to drive the speakers 32 that produce different acoustic effects. send a signal. Microprocessor 22 also.

A video display having a video RAM 24 to drive a video display monitor 33. Send an appropriate signal to the generator.

and/or drive the liquid crystal display 3 according to different events and states of the game. An appropriate signal is sent to the LCD drive circuit 4 so as to cause the LCD drive circuit to do so. switch matrix 25 The signals from the target head having the target head can be easily read by the target head input/output circuit 34. target head interface circuit 36 to convert the target head into a recognized form. received.

The dart throwing and removal indicator light 35 is connected to the microprocessor 22. A target head input/output circuit that receives the target head indicator lamp control signal from the 34.

Now, referring to FIG. 3, a flowchart of the power-up procedure of the present invention is shown. has been done. At power up (step 40), the program counter and stack Contains various initialized parts of the CPU such as pointers and internal registers The initialization routine (step 41) is started. Next, the RAM memory is 110 boat and display. Then, in step 42 , the "Test" button (usually located after the coin slot door) is pressed. 1 diagnostic routine is executed in step 43, otherwise the game setup The process begins at step 44.

A flowchart of the snooping routine is given in FIG.

The flowchart tests several elements of this invention to ensure correct operation. The first step in the zero diagnostic routine is step 46, E. This is a checksum test for PROM and RAM. In step 47, the checksum If the test results indicate no errors, execution continues to step 52, otherwise If not, a "RAM is failed" message is displayed at step 48.

Once the test for a good checksum is complete, the game ramps up to 1 in step 53. 1 along with acoustic (step 54) and display (step 55) tests. tested individually. Next, in step 56, the game's popular register values and The in-counter value is read from RAM with internal battery backup. It will be displayed as shown below.

At this point in step 57, the "Test" button is pressed or the coins are accepted. If so, the "setup" procedure begins at step 58. Samo If not.

The dartboard switch is read out (step 59) and displayed (step 60). Other diagnostic tests are performed, consisting of a patch matrix. This additional snooping step is , return to step 57 and enter the ``Test'' step 58 which begins the ``Setup'' procedure. Repeat until the ``Go'' button is pressed or a coin is received.

The setup procedure for the game as shown in Figure 5 is to count the amounts received and Select the particular game to be played and select the number of players in the game. This issue In our example, we have eight different games and two cost ranges, viz. There are games that can be played with one coin and games that can be played with two coins. Game 1~ 3 is displayed as a game that can be played with one coin, and games 4 to 8 can be played with two coins. It is designated as a game that can be played. Until the coin is received by the game, The display screen is designed to attract attention and draw players into the game. will be displayed (step 71), as soon as you receive the coins in step 72, the possible Provide information and utility for selecting a particular game among many The selection ``Game J'' display is shown in step 73, as is clear from Figure 2a. The information for display is video display or LCD display. 9, or preferably both displays. game During the game selection process, one of the games is displayed as the "current" game. This surrounds the name or using display attributes such as flashing or highlighting. by distinguishing one game from another. It will be done. Competitors can select the “current” game or play the “current” game in the sequence. You have the option to change to the next available game. In step 74, the If the ``Change'' button is pressed, the ``current'' game is selected and the display changes to The number of players in the game is updated in step 75 and the number of players in the game is updated to the number of coins received in step 76. , and execution branches from step 77 to the start of the selected game. . At step 78, the "Select" button is pressed instead of the "Change Player" button. If so, the game count is incremented as in step seven. Step 8 0 checks which cost range the "current" game falls into. Game count is 3 If that's the case, then it's a two-coin game.

And step 81 is performed. Otherwise it's a one coin game , and step 83 is performed.

In step 81, if the game received two or fewer coins, the game counter The count is returned to 1 in step 82.

Therefore, the game with 2 coins is not selected, and the game count is determined in step 83. Checked to see if it is greater than the maximum number 8. If game counter If the count is greater than 8, it is set back to 1 in step 84.

Otherwise, step 84 is bypassed.

At step 85, the display updates to reflect the new selection information and other The procedure returns to step 74 for selection repetition. This loop ends in step 77 A game selection is made in step 74 that also results from the start of the game selected in It lasts until

For example, one of the games played is the Krikerato game. krikerato is a game It is a darts game with a more complex set of rules that determine states and scores. Game The game is usually performed by two competitors and consists of 15-20 segments and Just use Venus. At any given time, segments are for specific contestants. At the start of the game, either "open" or "close" The segment is “opened” and selected by scoring three hits on the segment. The game is a "close pass" by the contestant. The hit is one triple hit, with 1 single hit and 1 double hit or 3 single hits be. A contestant closes it but remains open for another contestant. Score points in the segment. 3 in all segments from 15 to 20 and Venus The contestant who scores the most hits and gets the highest score wins. Display of this invention The characteristics of.

Clickerato game, showing the contestants the opening and closing segments as well as the current score scores by hand. i.e. previously the only possible method was to To provide a device for enabling automatic scoring of games.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate the ricketting structure as implemented in the preferred embodiment of the invention. It shows the logical flow of the game.

Execution of the Crickerato game begins with the initial settings in step 91 and the game startup routine. Next, in step 94, the thrown and darkened The number of registered darts is checked by the Tsu board. three darts were thrown If so, that contestant's turn is over.

The procedure then proceeds to step 95. Otherwise, in step 104, the game Either the ball is thrown, or the ``Change Player'' button is pressed. The game is extended until the end of the game. In step 105, the "Change contestant" button is pressed. If so, the contestant receives three thrown darts as shown in step 106. , and execution returns to step 93. Otherwise, the dart will be thrown and The number registered by the dart board and guessed along with its value is the number in step 1. 0 recorded in step 08. Next, in step 109, the number of segments is in the range of 15 to 20. Or if it was not on Venus, the hit has no effect on the score and the game The system executes the next dart by branching from step 110 to the "Next Dart" routine. Provided for darts. Winning is in the range of 15-20 or a gold star If so, whether the segment was closed by both players in step 111. is checked to find out. That is, if so.

A "Next Dart" routine is followed from step 112.

Otherwise, the procedure proceeds to step 113, where the segment is If it is closed by an opposing player and is still open to the current player. For example, the score is not affected, but the win counter for segment wins is updated. must be done to find out whether the segment is currently closed. Must be checked, step 115 is the hit count for the segment. counter and step 116 is requested 61 to close the segment. Check to see if three winnings have been made. 3 hits is done on the segment, the segment is closed in step 117. r The "Next Dart" routine begins at step 118. Counter with step 113 If the current player's segment is closed and the current player's segment is open, take 1 step. The process branches from step 114 to step 120 in FIG. In step 121, If the segment is not open to both contestants, the segment is open to the current contestant. Closed by and still open to opposing competitors Deduced from the previous logic flow. Under this condition, the current contestant must step 122 Add points to his score by branching from to the "Add Points" routine.

If the segment was open to both competitors in step 121, the current The Segment I hit counter for the player is updated in step 123 and whether the segment has the required number of hits to be closed in step 124; is checked to find out. If the segment does not have more than one hit For example, the "Next Dart" routine is called from step 125; The segment is closed at step 126. If the current contestant is in a segment (i.e. The number of similar hits required to close a double or triple segment) If you hit the segment you give him, the extra hit is calculated in step 127. It is.

Therefore, the score is calculated by branching from step 128 to ``Add Score''. will be updated.

The "Add Score" routine of Figure 8 makes the necessary updates to the current player's score. preliminary The final score is the score achieved by the current contestant during his turn in the round. this value is updated in step 131 and the current contestant's total score is updated in step 132. Ru. The procedure branches from step 133 to a "Next Dart" routine. Figure 9 shows the throwing Demonstrates the “Next Dart” routine that prepares the game for the next dart to be played. are doing. The dart count is incremented at step 136 and the display It is updated in step 137. If Venus is guessed, say “Wow” in step 138. A sound is emitted. Therefore, one step is step 1 in Figure 9 to continue the game. 39 loops to step 93 of FIG. This loop continues until the winner is determined. Continued.

In step 94 of Figure 6, if a contestant throws three darts, his turn ends. The first step continues with step 95, where the current athlete is the last athlete in the group. If so, a check is made in step 98 for a winner.

Otherwise, the routine to change the contestant is performed in step 96 and one step The process loops from step 97 to step 93. One winner was determined in step 99. Raba.

The game exit routine is followed by a "setup" procedure for new games. The process continues in step 100. If there is still no winner at step 99, The routine for changing the contestant is performed in step 102, and the seven steps are performed in step 103. Then, the process returns to step 93.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the automatic scoring electronic target game device of the present invention has many intricate and complex rules. It can be seen that it is used to play darts games with rules. This invention is Select a game and view information such as the game's running score and various game states and one or more displays for displaying. Furthermore, this A removable cartridge or cartridge that is conveniently removed and replaced from a gaming device. Different games are selected and new to have static electronic storage A game is introduced. This invention has been described in detail with respect to preferred embodiments. However, all that is fully intended as defined by the appended claims. Changes and modifications that are within the scope of this disclosure are not limited to those described herein).

Procedural amendment V November 16, 1988

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. In electronic dart game devices that use darts with elongated tips, The game device includes a display device disposed within a display area of the game device. adapted for use with an electronic dart board forming a target for said darts, said dart board comprising a plurality of radially extending targets; a number of closely spaced ribs, each approximately corresponding to the cross-sectional dimensions of the tip of said dart; concentric circles that divide the dartboard into multiple scoring segments containing holes that The ribs and one of the multiple scoring segments hit by a thrown dart are electrically activated. an electronic dart board having a pressure sensitive switch matrix device for displaying; of several different dart games encoded for use with electronic data processors. an electronic memory area containing rules and instructions for; Detecting and identifying the electrical representation of the target scoring portion hit by the dart and containing the score. calculating a suitable darts game and displaying it on the display device; an electronic data processor device for providing said calculated information to An electronic darts game device comprising: 2. the electronic dart board, the electronic memory area and the electronic data processor; , the display device disposed within the display area of the electronic darts game device; The electronic data storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic data storage device is all housed together. Arts game equipment. 3. The electronic memory area is removable and can be used for other purposes within the electronic dart game device. a single device, such as a cartridge, for replacing or replacing an electronic memory device in The electronic dart game device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Place. 4. the display device includes a video display screen; An electronic target game device according to claim 1, characterized in that: 5. The claim is characterized in that the display device includes a liquid crystal display. The electronic target game device according to claim 1. 6. an electronic target game device, the target game device having an electronic target game device disposed within a display area of the target game device; adapted for use with a display device that An electronic target board that is divided into one or more target areas, the target board comprising: An electronic target board device that electrically displays one of the target areas hit by a propelled object and multiple different target games encoded for use on an electronic data processor. an electronic memory area containing rules and instructions for; Detecting and identifying the electrical indication from the electronic target board and playing various target game shapes. the calculated information for displaying on the display device; an electronic data processor device that provides information; An electronic target game device comprising a combination of. 7. The electronic target board, the electronic memory area and the electronic data processor are the display device disposed within the display area of the electronic target game device; The electronic target game according to claim 4, characterized in that the electronic target game is housed together with system. 8. The electronic memory area is removable and compatible with other electronic target gaming devices. within a single device such as a cartridge to replace or replace an electronic memory device 5. The electronic target game device according to claim 4, wherein the electronic target game device is comprised of: 9. the display device includes a video display screen; An electronic target game device according to claim 4, characterized in that: 10. The display device includes a liquid crystal display. An electronic target game device according to claim 4. 11. A target board that is divided into one or more target areas and a target board that is thrust into said target board. an electronic device having a device for electrically indicating one of the target areas hit by the object being advanced; There are combinations for use in target gaming devices and for use with electronic data processors. Rules and instructions for multiple different target games encoded for use an electronic memory area containing; a display device; Detecting and identifying the electrical indication from the electronic target board and playing various target game shapes. the calculated information for displaying on the display device; an electronic data processor device that provides information; An electronic target game device comprising: 12. the electronic target board, the electronic memory area and the electronic data processor; with the display device disposed within a display area of the electronic target gaming device; Claim 11, characterized in that it is a combination all housed together. The electronic target game device described in Section 1. 13. In the combination, the electronic memory area is removable and the electronic memory area is removable. cartridge for replacing or replacing other electronic memory devices in gaming devices. A claim characterized in that the combination is contained within a single device, such as a The electronic target game device according to item 11. 14. The display device is a set including a video display screen. The electronic target game device according to claim 11, characterized in that it is a combination of . 15. The display device is a combination including a liquid crystal display. 12. The electronic target game device according to claim 11.