SCORE-KEEPING SYSTEM FOR A BOWLING LANE
20260131221 ยท 2026-05-14
Inventors
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
A score-keeping system for a bowling lane, including a score-counting apparatus, associated with the bowling lane and provided with an electronic processor, configured to automatically count a score of a current game session of the bowling lane; a graphic code adapted to be automatically read by an optical reader of a mobile electronic device to allow the mobile electronic device to electronically connect with the electronic processor of the score-counting apparatus, wherein the electronic processor of the score-counting apparatus is further configured to display the counted score of the game session on a display of the mobile electronic device which connected by reading the graphic code.
Claims
1. A score-keeping system for a bowling lane, comprising: a score-counting apparatus, associated with said bowling lane and provided with an electronic processor, configured to perform an automatic counting of a score of a current game session of said bowling lane, a graphic code, adapted to be read automatically by an optical reader of a mobile electronic device to allow said mobile electronic device to electronically connect with the electronic processor of the point-counting apparatus, wherein said electronic processor of the score-counting apparatus is further configured to display the counted score of the game session on a display of the mobile electronic device which is connected by means of reading the graphic code.
2. A score-keeping system according to claim 1, wherein the graphic code is a QR code.
3. A score-keeping system according to claim 1, wherein the score-counting apparatus comprises a monitor, connected with the electronic processor and installed at the bowling lane.
4. A score-keeping system according claim 3, wherein the electronic processor is configured to display the graphic code on said monitor.
5. The score-keeping system according to claim 3, wherein the electronic processor of the point-counting apparatus, following the reading of the graphic code by the optical reader, is further configured to: display a numeric or alphanumeric code on the monitor, request the mobile electronic device communicate said numeric or alphanumeric code, and display the counted score on the display of the mobile electronic device only if the numeric or alphanumeric code communicated by the mobile electronic device coincides with that displayed on the monitor.
6. The score-keeping system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic connection between the mobile electronic device and the electronic processor of the point-counting apparatus is an internet connection.
7. A score-keeping system according to claim 6, comprising a web application connected via the internet to the electronic processor of the score-counting apparatus and accessible from the mobile electronic device by reading the graphic code, which web application is configured to receive from the electronic processor at least the counted score and to make it visible on the display of the mobile electronic device which connected by reading the graphic code.
8. A score-keeping system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the electronic processor of the score-keeping apparatus and the possible web application is configured to allow the mobile electronic device, which connected by reading the graphic code, to perform one or more of the following actions: enter and/or modify a number of participants in the game session, enter and/or modify a name of each of said participants, insert and/or modify an identifying photograph of each of said participants, change the score display graphics, change the score of the game session, request and display one or more statistics of the game session, request assistance, make online payments, share the score and/or other game session data on social networks.
9. A method for scoring points during a bowling game session, comprising the steps of: counting the score of said game session by an automatic score-counting apparatus associated with a bowling lane on which said game session takes place, providing a graphic code adapted to be read automatically by an optical device of a mobile electronic device, displaying the counted score on a display of said mobile electronic device, after the latter has read the graphic code.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description provided by way of non-limiting example, with the aid of
BEST MODE TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION
[0050] With particular reference to the figure, a score-keeping system for a bowling lane 15 has been comprehensively indicated as 10.
[0051] Said score-keeping system 10 is capable of performing an automatic counting of a score of a current game session being played on the bowling lane 15 and providing a graphic representation of said score, as will better appear hereafter.
[0052] A bowling game session comprises a plurality of bowling rounds (typically, ten bowling rounds per each game session), each of which involves each player bowling one or two times.
[0053] The score-keeping system 10 thus comprises a score-counting apparatus 20, associated with the bowling lane and configured to count, viz., to calculate, the score of the game session.
[0054] In particular, the score-counting apparatus 20 can comprise at least one sensor device 21, e.g., a plurality of said sensor devices, (each) associated with the bowling lane 15 and capable of detecting at least one parameter useful for calculating the score of the current game session, e.g., the number of pins knocked down with each shot.
[0055] In particular, said sensor device 21 can be an optical sensor, e.g., configured to detect the number of pins knocked down by a player with the shots made during the bowling round.
[0056] In other cases, the sensor device 21 can be a mechanical device but still adapted to detect the number of pins knocked down.
[0057] The score-counting apparatus 20 also comprises an electronic processor 25, which is configured to automatically count the score of the game session.
[0058] The term electronic processor 25 is intended to comprise any electronic circuit and/or device and/or system (local or remote) suitably configured to carry out the functions described herein and hereafter.
[0059] In particular, such a term comprises general or special programmable microprocessors, such as a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer or other data processing system, digital signal processors (DSP), programmable logic arrays (PLA) integrated circuits, etc., or a combination thereof.
[0060] The electronic processor 25 can be implemented as a plurality of processing units and, for example, can include a processor program (or computer program and/or virtual content, e.g., a web page, as will be discussed in more detail hereafter), configured to implement the functions of the score-keeping system 10.
[0061] Furthermore, the electronic processor 25 can comprise a memory unit, directly integrated in the electronic processor 25 or arranged in a remote position with respect thereto.
[0062] In this sense, the computer program can be stored on said local memory unit, or it can be stored in the cloud or other host on another network, and from such a position it can be recalled and be executable by said electronic processor 25 of the score-keeping system 10.
[0063] The score-counting apparatus 20 and/or the electronic processor 25 (and/or the computer program) can further comprise one or more databases, e.g., a database selected from: a database of game instructions, a database of multimedia content, a database of game graphics, a database of correlation between a game score (i.e., a score of a bowling session or a bowling round) and multimedia content, a database of actions correlated to the game session, etc . . .
[0064] For example, each of said databases can be stored on the memory unit of the electronic processor 25, local or remote.
[0065] The electronic processor 25 is preferably operatively connected/connectable to (at least one) sensor device 21 and adapted to receive a signal indicative of the detected parameter therefrom.
[0066] For example, the electronic processor 25 can be connected to the sensor device 21 in wired mode or wirelessly (e.g., radio, Bluetooth, LTE or other wireless technology).
[0067] In the latter case, the sensor device 21 and the electronic processor 25 can individually be provided with a transceiver, supporting said wireless technology, by means of which they are able to communicate with each other.
[0068] The electronic processor 25, in essence, can be configured to receive from the sensor device 21 said signal indicative of the detected parameter (e.g., the number of pins knocked down on each shot) and to count (viz., calculate) the score of the current game session based on said parameter.
[0069] Thereby, the electronic processor 25 can be configured to count an individual score of each player who, together with other players, takes part in the game session.
[0070] Additionally, the electronic processor 25 can be configured to match, at the end of each game round, the individual score counted, viz., calculated, to the respective player.
[0071] Furthermore, the electronic processor 25 can be configured to update, during each consecutive bowling round, each player's individual score by adding the score obtained (calculated) in each bowling round to the score obtained (calculated) by the same player in the previous bowling rounds.
[0072] The score-counting apparatus 20 can also comprise a monitor 26, preferably installed at the bowling lane 15.
[0073] Said monitor 26 is preferably operatively connected with the electronic processor 25 of the point-counting apparatus 20, e.g., in wired mode or wirelessly (e.g., radio, Bluetooth, LTE or other wireless technology).
[0074] The monitor 26 can be adapted to provide a graphic representation of the game score, i.e., the monitor 26 can (preferably) be configured to display, by means of the electronic processor 25, the game score of the current game session.
[0075] The monitor 26 can also be adapted to display multimedia content, e.g., content related to a game session score or, for example, the score obtained by a player in a bowling round. In particular, said multimedia content can be recalled from the memory unit, viz., from one of the above-mentioned databases (correlating multimedia content with a score), by means of the electronic processor 25.
[0076] The score-keeping system 10 further comprises a graphic code 30.
[0077] This graphic code 30 can be uniquely related to the bowling lane 15 and/or to the current game session being carried out on said bowling lane 15.
[0078] The graphic code 30 is preferably provided by the monitor 26 of the point-counting apparatus 20, viz., preferably the electronic processor 25 can be configured to display the graphic code 30 on said monitor 26, possibly after it has been generated or retrieved from memory.
[0079] However, it is not excluded that the graphic code 30 can be provided in different manners, e.g., that the score-keeping system 10 can comprise a different display element, such as a sign on which the graphic code 30 is printed.
[0080] For example, and preferably, the graphic code 30 can be a QR code.
[0081] It is not excluded, however, that said graphic code 30 could be of a different type, e.g., a bar code or other.
[0082] Said graphic code 30 is adapted to be read, viz., detected and processed, by an optical reader of a mobile electronic device 40, e.g., a smartphone or tablet or any other mobile electronic device 40 provided with an optical reader capable of reading said graphic code 30.
[0083] In other words, the graphic code 30 is adapted to be read by said optical reader so as to allow said mobile electronic device 40 to electronically connect with the electronic processor 25 of the score-keeping apparatus.
[0084] For example, said electronic connection between the mobile electronic device 40 and the electronic processor 25 of the point-counting apparatus 20 can be an internet connection, as will be discussed in more detail hereafter.
[0085] Once such an electronic connection is established, viz., once the optical reader has read (detected and processed) the graphic code 30, the electronic processor 25 is configured to display the counted score of the game session on a display 41 of the mobile electronic device 40 which has connected by means of said reading of the graphic code 30.
[0086] The electronic processor 25, following the reading of the graphic code 30 by the optical reader, and prior to the display of the score on the display 41, can be configured to send a request to the mobile electronic device 40 to enter a numeric or alphanumeric (confirmation) code.
[0087] This request can be communicated to a user of the electronic device 40, e.g., by means of the display 41.
[0088] The (confirmation) code can, for example, be a preset code (viz., a password) or a random temporary code (OTP, One-Time Password) generated on the spot by the electronic processor 25, or another type of code.
[0089] For example, and preferably, the electronic processor 25 can be configured to display said numeric or alphanumeric code on the monitor 26 of the point-counting apparatus 20.
[0090] Thereby, the user (if they are at the bowling lane in that moment) can provide (e.g., type) the code read on the monitor 26 to the mobile electronic device 40.
[0091] The electronic processor 25 can then be configured to receive from the mobile electronic device 40 the numeric or alphanumeric code provided (e.g., typed) by the user.
[0092] At this point, the electronic processor 25 can be configured to check whether the received code, viz., the numeric or alphanumeric code transmitted by the device to the electronic processor 25, matches the numeric or alphanumeric code displayed on the monitor 26.
[0093] The electronic processor 25 can therefore only be configured to display the score on the display 41 of the mobile electronic device 40 if the two codes mentioned above coincide.
[0094] Going into greater detail, the score-keeping system 10 can comprise a web application, or web app, connected via the internet to the electronic processor 25 of the score-counting apparatus 20 and accessible from the mobile electronic device 40 by means of, viz., visible on the display 41 thereof, following the reading of the graphic code 30.
[0095] In essence, the graphic code 30 can encode an instruction adapted to command the mobile electronic device 40, which has performed the reading and subsequent decoding of the graphic code 30, to automatically connect to the internet address where the web application resides.
[0096] Said web application can be configured to receive from the electronic processor 25 at least the counted score, e.g., the game session score and/or the bowling session score and/or the bowling round score.
[0097] Furthermore, the web application can be configured to make this score visible on the display 41 of the mobile electronic device 40 which connected by reading the graphic code 30.
[0098] At least one between the electronic processor 25 of the score-keeping apparatus and said web application can further be configured to allow the mobile electronic device 40, which connected (to the application and/or the electronic processor 25) by reading the graphic code 30, to carry out one or more of the following actions: [0099] enter and/or modify a number of participants in the game session; [0100] enter and/or modify a name of each of said participants; [0101] insert and/or modify an identifying photograph of each of said participants; [0102] modify a score display graphic, e.g., choosing from a graphic stored within said database of game graphics; [0103] change the score of the current game session, e.g., correct the individual score of the individual player's game round or the bowling session; [0104] request and display one or more statistics of the game session; [0105] request assistance, e.g., call for a waiter or a mechanic or place a remote order for food and drinks; [0106] make online payments, e.g., related to the current game session; [0107] share the score and/or other game session data on social networks.
[0108] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to many modifications and variants, all falling within the same inventive concept.
[0109] Moreover, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.
[0110] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and sizes, can be whatever according to the requirements without for this reason departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.