VIDEO REPLAY

Abstract

A method performed on a computer system, for displaying video replay during a game of darts, comprising continually acquiring throughout the game, a video image of an oche from where a player throws darts towards a dartboard, detecting that a dart has been thrown by a player from the oche and is stationary on the dartboard, determining a trigger event based on the throw of the dart, automatically determining based on the trigger event whether to display a portion of the acquired video image captured between a first predetermined time before said detection and a second predetermined time after said detection, such that the portion of the acquired video image corresponds to the detected throw and displaying on a display the portion of the acquired video image.

Claims

1. A method performed on a computer system, for displaying video replay during a game of darts, comprising: continually acquiring throughout the game, a video image of an oche from where a player throws darts towards a dartboard; detecting that a dart has been thrown by the player from the oche and is stationary on the dartboard; determining a trigger event based on the throw of the dart; automatically determining based on the trigger event whether to display a portion of the acquired video image captured between a first predetermined time before said detection and a second predetermined time after said detection, such that the portion of the acquired video image corresponds to the detected throw; and displaying on a display the portion of the acquired video image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the trigger event is any of a score above a predetermined threshold, a score below a predetermined threshold, a score having a specific value, an end of the game, or an end of a player's turn.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: storing the portion of the acquired video image corresponding to the detected throw for later use.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising sending the stored portion of the acquired video image corresponding to the detected throw to an email address, or uploading the stored portion of the acquired video image corresponding to the detected throw to a website.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising switching the display from displaying a score of the game to displaying the portion of the acquired video image.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: continually acquiring throughout the game a video image of the dartboard; and displaying on the display, a portion of the acquired video image of the dartboard captured a third predetermined time before said detection and a fourth predetermined time after said detection, such that the portion of the acquired video image of the dartboard corresponds to the detected throw.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying a visual alert to indicate the displaying of the portion of the acquired video image.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the visual alert involves at least one of flashing lights or, multiple lights of different colours.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: linking the display to one or more additional displays, each additional display of the one or more additional displays associated with a further dartboard, such that said displaying involves displaying the acquired video image at each of the linked displays.

10. A darts video replay apparatus, comprising: a dartboard; at least one video camera configured to continually acquire a video image of an oche from where a player throws darts throughout a game; a processor configured to detect that a dart has been thrown by the player from the oche and is stationary on the dartboard, determine a trigger event based on the throw of the dart and automatically determine based on the trigger event whether to display a portion of the acquired video image captured between a first predetermined time before said detection and a second predetermined time after said detection, such that the portion of the acquired video image corresponds to the detected throw; and a display configured to display the portion of the acquired video image.

11. The darts video replay apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a memory for storing the portion of the acquired video image corresponding to the detected throw.

12. The darts video replay apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a further video camera configured to continually acquire a video image of the dartboard throughout the game, such that a portion of the acquired video image of the dartboard captured between a third predetermined time before said detection and a fourth predetermined time after said detection can be displayed on the display.

13. A system of darts video replay apparatuses comprising a plurality of darts video replay apparatuses of claim 10.

14. The system of darts video replay apparatuses of claim 13, wherein the plurality of darts video replay apparatuses are linked, such that the display of each of the plurality of darts video replay apparatuses is controllable to display the same video images.

15. A method performed on a computer system, for displaying video replay during a game of shuffleboard played on a shuffleboard table, comprising: continually acquiring throughout the game, a video image of a throwing end of the shuffleboard table from where a player throws pucks towards a scoring end of the shuffleboard table; detecting that a puck has been thrown by the player from the throwing end and is stationary on the shuffleboard table; determining a trigger event based on the throw of the puck; automatically determining based on the trigger event whether to display a portion of the acquired video image captured between a first predetermined time before said detection and a second predetermined time after said detection, such that the portion of the acquired video image corresponds to the detected throw; and displaying on a display the portion of the acquired video image.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the trigger event is any of a score above a predetermined threshold, a score below a predetermined threshold, a score having a specific value, an end of the game, or an end of a player's turn.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: storing the portion of the acquired video image corresponding to the detected throw for later use.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising switching the display from displaying a score of the game to displaying the portion of the acquired video image.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: continually acquiring throughout the game a video image of the scoring end of the shuffleboard table; and displaying on the display, a portion of the acquired video image of the scoring end of the shuffleboard table captured between a third predetermined time before said detection and a fourth predetermined time after said detection, such that the portion of the acquired video image of the scoring end of the shuffleboard table corresponds to the detected throw.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: displaying a visual alert to indicate the displaying of the portion of the acquired video image.

21. A shuffleboard video replay apparatus, comprising: a shuffleboard table; at least one video camera configured to continually acquire a video image of a throwing end of the shuffleboard table from where a player throws pucks towards a scoring end of the shuffleboard table; a processor configured to detect that a puck has been thrown by the player from the throwing end and is stationary on the shuffleboard table, determine a trigger event based on the throw of the puck and automatically determine based on the trigger event whether to display a portion of the acquired video image captured between a first predetermined time before said detection and a second predetermined time after said detection, such that the portion of the acquired video image corresponds to the detected throw; and a display configured to display the portion of the acquired video image.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] FIG. 1 is a front view of a dartboard system in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0079] FIG. 2 is a top view of the dartboard system shown in FIG. 1;

[0080] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the steps taken in a method for displaying video replay during a game of darts in an embodiment of the invention;

[0081] FIG. 4 is a side view of a shuffleboard system in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0082] FIG. 5 is a top view of the shuffleboard system shown in FIG. 4;

[0083] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing the steps taken in a method for displaying video replay during a game of shuffleboard in an embodiment of the invention; and

[0084] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a computer system that can be configured to perform the methods shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0085] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a dartboard 2 is mounted on a wall 4. Mounted on the wall above the dartboard 2 is a graphical user interface (GUI) display 6. As can be seen the GUI display 6 is arranged parallel to the wall 4. However, in other embodiments the GUI display 6 may be positioned at an angle that is not parallel to the wall 4, such as tilted to face one of the viewing areas 15 where spectators stand.

[0086] A gantry 8 is provided above the dartboard 2 which supports three spot lights 10 and three cameras 12, all of which point to the dartboard 2. Two cameras 14 are mounted on wall 4, the two cameras 14 pointing towards the oche 16 from where the player throws darts.

[0087] The oche 16 (or throwing line) is provided on the floor. The spot lights 10 and the cameras 12 on the gantry are provided at a position between the oche 16 and the dartboard 2.

[0088] Light emitting diode (LED) strip lights 18 are provided in a ring around the dartboard 2. Some of the LED strip lights are raised above the dartboard 2 to illuminate its surface effectively during play. The LED strip lights include various LED strip lights of different colours. In conventional play only the white LED strip light may be lit up. However, one or more of the various different colour strip lights may be lit up depending on what is being displayed on the display in order to attract the players and spectators to view the display.

[0089] A protective screen 20 is provided on the wall 4 to cushion the darts that miss the dartboard 2. The LED strip lights 18 are also shielded by a lip on the protective screen 20. This prevents damage to the LED strip lights 18 by darts. In addition, it shields the LED strip lights 18 from a player at the oche 16 to avoid any distractions. The dartboard 2 and the LED strip lights 18 are recessed from the protective screen 20.

[0090] The cameras 14 mounted on the wall are positioned far enough away from the dartboard 2 that they are not likely to be hit by darts that are thrown. In addition they are also protected by being behind a transparent reinforced screen.

[0091] Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a computer including one or more processors is connected to the cameras 12, 14 for processing the video images. In addition, the GUI display 6 is connected to the computer for displaying results and the video images captured by the cameras to the players.

[0092] The spot lights 10 are provided for illuminating the darts that are in-flight between the oche 16 and the dartboard 2. Darts that are in-flight can be imaged by the cameras 12 on the gantry 8 for a brief period before they strike the dartboard 2 and while they settle into a final position on the dartboard 2. Successful detection of darts being stationary on the dartboard 2 can be used as a determination that a dart has been thrown. The determination of a score can be detected as a trigger event, which causes a video replay image of the throw being shown on the GUI display 6.

[0093] The spot lights 10 can also improve illumination of the dartboard 2, especially in central areas, so that the cameras 12 can capture the image the darts on its surface. This helps the computer accurately determine the position of the dart and also provides sufficient lighting for the video image used as the video replay of the dartboard. In addition, the combined illumination of the LED strip lights 18 and the spot lights 10 minimises the shadowing that could otherwise introduce errors when the position of a dart is determined.

[0094] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing a sequence of steps undertaken in a method 100 for displaying video replay during a game of darts.

[0095] At step 101 a video image of the oche is continually acquired throughout the game.

[0096] This video image is acquired using the cameras 14 that face the oche 16. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 there are two cameras 14. This enables two different perspective views to be acquired of the oche 16. These video images may be combined to form a single video image with a wide range. Alternatively, the video image from each camera 14 may be acquired and processed separately.

[0097] Step 103 involves detecting that a dart has been thrown by a player from the oche 16 and is stationary on the dartboard 2. This is detected by the cameras 12 that are facing towards the dartboard 2, which detect the presence of the dart stationary on the dartboard 2.

[0098] Step 105 involves determining a trigger event based on the throw of the dart. The trigger event is the occurrence of a particular event in the game. For instance, a particular score may be achieved that is considered a trigger event.

[0099] The scoring of the game of darts may be determined using the camera system in a similar way to as described in GB 2542108 A. However, alternative scoring systems may be implemented.

[0100] Step 107 involves automatically determining based on the trigger event whether to display a portion of the acquired video image captured between a first predetermined time before said detection and a second predetermined time after said detection, such that the portion of the acquired video image corresponds to the detected throw.

[0101] Step 109 involves displaying the portion of the acquired video image on the GUI display 6.

[0102] The first predetermined time before the detection is selected such that the video image shows the player at the oche 16 before the dart has been thrown. The second predetermined time after the detection is selected such that the video image shows the player's celebration after the dart has been thrown.

[0103] The step of displaying enables a video replay which shows the player preparing to throw the dart, the player throwing the dart, the dart hitting the dartboard, and the player after the dart has hit the dartboard to show any celebrations or the player's reaction. These videos are captured by the cameras 14 which face the oche.

[0104] The GUI display 6 can also show a video replay of the dartboard 2. This video image of the dartboard 2 is obtained from the cameras 12 that are facing the dartboard 2. This can be in the form of a split screen, with a portion of the display showing the dartboard 2 and the other portion of the display showing the player at the oche 16. In the video replay the dartboard 2 may be shown throughout the whole of the video replay at the same time as the oche 16. Alternately, the video replay may only show the dartboard 2 showing the moment when the darts hit the dartboard 2, with the video replay shown representing before and after this moment only showing the player at the oche 16.

[0105] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 a shuffleboard apparatus 200 includes a shuffleboard table 202. The shuffleboard table 202 has a sliding surface 204 on which a puck 206 can be thrown. The sliding surface 204 has a single throwing end 208 and a single scoring end 210. Surrounding the sliding surface 204 is a box 212 which extends around the perimeter of the sliding surface 204 creating a well 214 between the sliding surface 204 and the box 212. FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view such that the side of the box 212 is removed so that the well 214 is visible.

[0106] The shuffleboard apparatus is supported by two supports 216 from the floor 218. Although it cannot be seen from the Figures, the supports 216 extend across the width of the sliding surface 204. However, it can be understood that any arrangement of supports 216 could be used.

[0107] The shuffleboard table extends from wall 291. The wall shown in the present embodiment is the wall of the building in which the shuffleboard table is housed. FIGS. 4 and 5 show only a portion of the wall for illustrative purposes. The scoring end 210 of the shuffleboard table abuts the wall, with the outer portion of the box 212 in direct contact with the wall 291. The box 212 at the throwing end 208 of the shuffleboard table 202 is not in contact with the wall.

[0108] The scoring end 210 of the shuffleboard table 202 is not attached to the wall in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it is just located against the wall. In other embodiments the scoring end 210 of the shuffleboard table 202 may be attached to the wall 291. The attachment may be removable or may be permanent. For instance, the table may be removably clipped onto a corresponding attachment on the wall. Alternatively, the shuffleboard table may be attached to the wall through any of screws, nails or adhesives.

[0109] A playing area 201 is located at the throwing end 208 of the sliding surface 204. A viewing area 293 is positioned to the side of the sliding surface 204, between the throwing end 208 and the scoring end 210.

[0110] Located on the wall 291 elevated above the scoring end 210 is a GUI display 294. The GUI display 294 displays the scores for the shuffleboard table 202. As can be seen the GUI display 294 is arranged parallel to the wall. However, in other embodiments the GUI display 294 may be positioned at an angle that is not parallel to the wall 291, such as tilted to face the viewing area 293.

[0111] Two cameras 220 are mounted on the wall 291 that are pointed towards the throwing end 208 of the shuffleboard table. The cameras 220 are for capturing the video image of the action at the throwing end 208 of the shuffleboard table. This is in an analogous way to that described for cameras 14 when capturing the video image of the oche for the darts system described above.

[0112] Two further cameras 222 are also mounted on the wall 291 that are pointed towards the sliding surface 204. These cameras 222 are for capturing the movement of the puck 206 when it is thrown down the sliding surface 204. The cameras 222 are also used for scoring as described in patent application GB 2558571.

[0113] The cameras 220 and 222 may alternatively be mounted on a gantry as shown in the darts system in FIG. 1, or attached to the ceiling.

[0114] Two lights 224 are located above and to the side of the GUI display 294 located on the wall 291. The lights 224 are configured to flash when a video replay is being displayed on the GUI display 294.

[0115] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a sequence of steps undertaken in a method 300 for displaying video replay during a game of shuffleboard. At step 301 a video image of a throwing end 208 of the shuffleboard table from where a player throws pucks towards a scoring end 210 of the shuffleboard table is continually acquired throughout the game.

[0116] This video image is acquired using the cameras 220 that face the throwing end 308 of the shuffleboard table. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 there are two cameras 220 that are directed at the throwing end 208 spaced below but either side of the GUI display 294. This enables two different perspective views to be acquired of the throwing end 208. These video images may be combined to form a single video image with a wide range. Alternatively, the video image from each camera 220 may be acquired and processed separately.

[0117] Step 303 involves detecting that a puck has been thrown by a player from the throwing end 208 and is stationary on the shuffleboard table. This is detected by the cameras 222 that are facing towards the playing surface, which detect the presence of the puck stationary on the shuffleboard table.

[0118] Step 305 involves determining a trigger event based on the throw of the puck. The trigger event is the occurrence of a particular event in the game. For instance, a particular score may be achieved that is considered a trigger event.

[0119] Step 307 involves automatically determining based on the trigger event whether to display a portion of the acquired video image captured between a first predetermined time before said detection and a second predetermined time after said detection, such that the portion of the acquired video image corresponds to the detected throw.

[0120] Step 309 involves displaying the portion of the acquired video image on the GUI display 294.

[0121] The first predetermined time before the detection is selected such that the video image shows the player at the throwing end 208 before the puck has been thrown.

[0122] The second predetermined time after the detection is selected such that the video image shows the player's celebration after the puck has been thrown.

[0123] The step of displaying enables a video replay which shows the player preparing to throw the puck, the player throwing the puck, the puck stationary on the sliding surface, and the player after the puck has been thrown to show any celebrations or the player's reaction. These videos are captured by the cameras 220 which face the throwing end 208.

[0124] The display 394 can also show a video replay of the sliding surface 204. This video image of the sliding surface 204 is obtained from the cameras 222 that are facing the sliding surface 204. This can be in the form of a split screen, with a portion of the GUI display 294 showing the sliding surface 204 and the other portion of the GUI display 294 showing the player at the throwing end 208. In the video replay the sliding surface 204 may be shown throughout the whole of the video replay at the same time as the throwing end 208. Alternately, the video replay may only show the sliding surface 204 showing the moment when the puck becomes stationary, with the video replay shown representing before and after this moment only showing the player at the throwing end 208.

[0125] FIG. 7 shows the computer system 400 which controls the video replay apparatus for the darts and shuffleboard systems as described above. The computer system 400 has a processor 402 for controlling the replay system and a memory 404 for storing the video images that are generated. The computer system 600 is in communication with the GUI display 406 that displays the video replay and the scores of the game. The computer system 400 is also in communication with cameras 408 which collect the video images for the video replay and scoring of the game.

[0126] The connections between the computer system 400 and the GUI display 406 and cameras 408 may be wired connections. Alternatively, they may be wireless connections. For instance, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other wireless connection types.

[0127] As described above for both the darts and the shuffleboard systems, the video images are continually recorded by the cameras that face the oche 16 and the throwing end 208 of the shuffleboard table throughout the games of darts and shuffleboard. These video images may then be stored for later use. This may be the video images of the entire game. However, this may result in a lot of data being stored that will not be required. Alternatively, only the portion of the video image that is replayed in the video replay, after being detected as being related to a trigger event, may be stored. The remaining portion of the video image data that is not shown as a video replay may be discarded. Alternatively the video image data of the throw that caused the trigger event may also be discarded after it has been shown on the display.

[0128] However, the video image of the video replay shown on the display may be stored for use at a later point in time. For, instance the video image may be sent to the players. This may be sent in an electronic message such as email or SMS. Alternatively it may be uploaded to social media. This enables the players to re-live the game at a later point in time and/or show and share it with their friends or family.

[0129] The darts apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the shuffleboard apparatus as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be located in a themed bar with a plurality of dartboards and shuffleboard tables. The displays of each of the neighbouring shuffleboard tables and dartboards may be linked. This may be through wireless connectivity or a wired connection as authorised above. The computer system 400 shown in FIG. 7 may control each of the displays such that the same video replay can be displayed on each of the displays of the linked dartboards/shuffleboard apparatuses. When starting a multiplayer game, where linked play on neighbouring dartboards or shuffleboard tables is required, one of the players selects at a computer terminal located at the dartboard or shuffleboard apparatus that linked play is required. This then causes the computer system to set up a link between the dartboards or shuffleboard apparatuses.

[0130] The invention also includes numerous modifications and variations to the above-described methods and apparatus.

[0131] In other arrangements there may be one or more lights that light-up or flash to indicate that a replay is being shown. These lights may be mounted on the wall that the dartboard and shuffleboards are attached to. In other arrangements the dartboard or shuffleboards themselves may be visually lit. For instance, the dartboard may be backlit. The sliding surface of the shuffleboard table may also be backlit.

[0132] The lights 224 behind the shuffleboard table and LED strip lights 18 around the dartboard indicate to the players that the video replay apparatus is displaying the video replay. In other arrangements various configurations of lighting may be used for both the darts and shuffleboard arrangements. For instance, the lights 224 may be an LED strip light. The lights for the shuffleboard system may be located around the display. Alternatively, the shuffleboard table may be lit up. For the darts arrangement the lights may be lights embedded in the wall as in the shuffleboard set up.

[0133] Alternatively, or in addition, a sound effect may be played when the video replay is being shown. Alternatively, the visual indication (light or sound) may be immediately prior to the video replay being shown.

[0134] In other arrangements, the camera 14 mounted on the wall that obtain the image of the oche may instead be located on the gantry 8 the same as the cameras 12 which point to the dartboard 2. In addition, the shuffleboard apparatus may also have the cameras 220 and 222 located on a gantry.

[0135] In other arrangements the GUI display may not be mounted on the wall. The GUI display may be mounted on a stand. Alternatively, the GUI display may be attached to the ceiling and/or a gantry.

[0136] For the darts arrangement the GUI display may alternatively be located either side of the dartboard.

[0137] Although video cameras are described, cameras that obtain a static photograph may be implemented. These could capture a photograph and based on a trigger event this photograph may be displayed on the display.

[0138] The systems described above implement the scoring system described in GB 2542108 A and GB 2558571. However, any type of scoring system may be implemented such that the trigger event is automatically determined to trigger the video replay to be displayed.

[0139] In addition to the video replay being shown on the display an animation or a video clip may be shown that is specific for that particular event. For instance, in the darts games when a score of 180 is scored an animation specific for that event may be shown.