The present inventive concept relates to a system, and related methods, for facilitating practice of bowling, wherein the system comprises: a data storing device configured to store oil pattern data corresponding to a set of oil patterns for bowling lanes; a projecting arrangement configured to project graphics onto a bowling lane; and a processing unit configured to send, from the data storing device to the projecting arrangement, oil pattern data corresponding to one oil pattern of said set of oil patterns, whereby graphics representing the one oil pattern of said set of oil patterns is projected onto the bowling lane.

The present inventive concept relates to a system, and related methods, for facilitating practice of bowling, wherein the system comprises: a data storing device configured to store oil pattern data corresponding to a set of oil patterns for bowling lanes; a projecting arrangement configured to project graphics onto a bowling lane; and a processing unit configured to send, from the data storing device to the projecting arrangement, oil pattern data corresponding to one oil pattern of said set of oil patterns, whereby graphics representing the one oil pattern of said set of oil patterns is projected onto the bowling lane.

A game platform and process of setting up and scoring individual game pins on the game platform is provided. The platform and process has utility to mitigate the negative impact of recurring manual setup of individual game pins on a game surface prior to beginning or continuing play such as the misalignment of individual game pins potentially creating an unfair advantage or disadvantage to those playing the game. The platform and process also has utility to increase the efficiency and uniformity of game setup and game play. The platform affords automatic identification of a misaligned game pin and notifies a player of the need to realign the game pin. The platform has further utility to automatically score the game and generate additional game information in real-time.

A game platform and process of setting up and scoring individual game pins on the game platform is provided. The platform and process has utility to mitigate the negative impact of recurring manual setup of individual game pins on a game surface prior to beginning or continuing play such as the misalignment of individual game pins potentially creating an unfair advantage or disadvantage to those playing the game. The platform and process also has utility to increase the efficiency and uniformity of game setup and game play. The platform affords automatic identification of a misaligned game pin and notifies a player of the need to realign the game pin. The platform has further utility to automatically score the game and generate additional game information in real-time.

An automated system is provided for scoring and tracking pin position and pin placement, gameplay, and playing time during games of FOWLING. A modified pin with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag affixed to or implanted in the pin provides tracking of individual pins during gameplay. A RFID reader is used to poll the set of pins on the platform to determine when a pin has left a set position. A processor controls the RFID tag reader and a clock so as to track pin position versus time. A pin position array is used in conjunction with conductive or magnetic disks on the bottom portion or surface of the pin for tracking pin position, pin placement, and gameplay. The conductive or magnetic disks complete circuit junctions in the array that confirm the presence of a standing pin and when a pin has been dislodged and presumably toppled over.

An automated system is provided for scoring and tracking pin position and pin placement, gameplay, and playing time during games of FOWLING. A modified pin with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag affixed to or implanted in the pin provides tracking of individual pins during gameplay. A RFID reader is used to poll the set of pins on the platform to determine when a pin has left a set position. A processor controls the RFID tag reader and a clock so as to track pin position versus time. A pin position array is used in conjunction with conductive or magnetic disks on the bottom portion or surface of the pin for tracking pin position, pin placement, and gameplay. The conductive or magnetic disks complete circuit junctions in the array that confirm the presence of a standing pin and when a pin has been dislodged and presumably toppled over.

A bowling enhancement system is for a bowling lane, and may include a mobile device, an image sensor arranged over the bowling lane and configured to generate image data of the bowling lane, projectors arranged over the bowling lane and configured to generate a set of projected images onto the bowling lane, and a server. The server may be configured to cause a given projector to project a pairing token onto the bowling lane, when receiving the pairing token from the mobile device, establish a communication link with the mobile device to receive a given game characteristic from the mobile wireless communications device, determine a tracking path of a bowling ball traveling on the bowling lane based upon the image data, and selectively change the set of projected images based upon the tracking path of the bowling ball and the given game characteristic.

A bowling enhancement system is for a bowling lane, and may include a mobile device, an image sensor arranged over the bowling lane and configured to generate image data of the bowling lane, projectors arranged over the bowling lane and configured to generate a set of projected images onto the bowling lane, and a server. The server may be configured to cause a given projector to project a pairing token onto the bowling lane, when receiving the pairing token from the mobile device, establish a communication link with the mobile device to receive a given game characteristic from the mobile wireless communications device, determine a tracking path of a bowling ball traveling on the bowling lane based upon the image data, and selectively change the set of projected images based upon the tracking path of the bowling ball and the given game characteristic.

An interactive bowling system using scoring systems and/or other computer infrastructures which interact with visual and/or audio effects within the bowling center. The system includes a management system having stored therein instructions to provide special effects associated with one or more events to one or more special effects components. Upon an occurrence of an event, the management system: determines that the occurrence of the event is associated with one or more special effects; and provides the instructions to the one or more special effects components to effectuate the special effects associated with the one or more events.

An interactive bowling system using scoring systems and/or other computer infrastructures which interact with visual and/or audio effects within the bowling center. The system includes a management system having stored therein instructions to provide special effects associated with one or more events to one or more special effects components. Upon an occurrence of an event, the management system: determines that the occurrence of the event is associated with one or more special effects; and provides the instructions to the one or more special effects components to effectuate the special effects associated with the one or more events.