Abstract:
A system for a dart-based golf game on an electronic dart game machine has been developed that includes at least one electronic dart board having distinct scoring segments, a CPU electrically connected to the electronic dart board, and a video display electrically connected to the CPU. The CPU displays game mode graphics on the video display, including a golf course hole graphic having a virtual ball and a hole, and a power meter having a moving element. The CPU correlates an instantaneous movement of said moving element at an instant of the dart contact with a movement of the virtual ball on the golf course hole graphic.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of pending application Ser. No. 10/145,259, entitled “Electronic Dart Golf Game,” filed May 14, 2002, which claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/292,710, entitled “Computerized Dart Game,” filed May 21, 2001 (Attorney Docket No.  13146 US 01 ), both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to a dart game that may be played on an electronic dart game machine, and more particularly to an electronic dart golf game that may be played on an electronic dart game machine.  
           [0003]    For many years, dart players have enjoyed the automatic handling of dart game scoring in electronic dart game machines. Electronic dart games and associated electronics are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,401,033, entitled “Dart Game With Random Target Number Generator,” issued to Lychock. Jr. (“the &#39;033 patent”); U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,251, entitled “Dart Game With Apertured Target Plates Resiliently Mounted,” issued to Jones et al (“the &#39;251 patent”), U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,660, entitled “Dart Machine With Electronic Matrix,” issued to Zammuto (“the &#39;660 patent”); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,516, entitled “Double Bullseye For Dart Game,” issued to Brejcha et al (“the &#39;516 patent”). The disclosures of the &#39;033, &#39;251, &#39;660 and &#39;516 patents are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.  
           [0004]    Typically, an electronic dart game machine includes an internal central processing unit (CPU) that controls the user interface for game selection and feedback during game play. The CPU within an electronic dart game machine typically keeps track of player scores and game parameters. That is, after the CPU receives information from the dart board playing surface (e.g., the point where the dart hit, such as a distinct scoring segment such as a bullseye, or “triple 20”) the CPU may send information to a display unit so that the player may see his/her score.  
           [0005]    For the CPU to determine the point where a dart hit, and consequently a player&#39;s score, the dart board playing surface, i.e., the dart board, is typically connected to a contact detector that is divided into various segments. For example, a distinct segment is typically assigned to (and positioned behind) the bullseye. Additionally, each distinct scoring segment of the dart board playing surface (e.g., single 20, double 20, triple 20, single 18, double 18, triple 18, etc.) is associated with a distinct segment of the contact detector. For example, if a player&#39;s thrown dart hits or contacts a triple 15 area on the dart board playing surface, the contact from the throw is detected by the segment of the contact detector associated with the triple 15 area. This information is communicated to the CPU, typically by wires. The CPU includes programs that link this communicated information to a particular score, depending on the game being played. For example, if “cricket” is played, the CPU would score three marks of “15” for the player who threw the dart that hit the “triple 15.” Thus, upon determination or computation of a particular score, the CPU sends information to a display unit so that the player(s) can see the score(s).  
           [0006]    Many dart game machines employ the use of a video monitor, such as a television, computer screen and the like, to provide user interface feedback. That is, video monitors may display player scores, the type of game being played, various parameters of the game, and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,121, issued to Beall et al. (“the &#39;121 patent”), describes how a typical electronic dart board game machine with a video monitor functions. The Beall patent is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
           [0007]    Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,806 entitled “Multiple Target Electronic Dart Game,” issued to Martin (“the &#39;806 patent”) discloses a multiple dart board electronic dart game having a shared microprocessor that monitors and services operation of each dart board. The &#39;806 patent is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The graphical display of the &#39;806 patent operates under the control of the microprocessor and may show player scores in a split screen display or in a single display.  
           [0008]    While many electronic dart game machines include video displays, typical video displays are only used to display scores. Also, the number of dart games that may be played on electronic dart game machines is limited. Thus, a need exists for an electronic dart game machine that takes greater advantage of the visual capabilities of the video/graphical display controlled by the CPU. Additionally, a need exists for a new and exciting dart game that may be played on an electronic dart game machine.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    A system for an electronic dart golf game on an electronic dart game machine has been developed. Embodiments of the present invention include at least one electronic dart board having distinct scoring segments, a CPU electrically connected to at least one electronic dart board, a video display electrically connected to the CPU, and a memory, which stores a plurality of virtual golf courses, electrically connected to the CPU. Each electronic dart board is a standard, regulation electronic dart board having a plurality of distinct scoring segments that are configured to receive darts. The CPU detects dart hits or contacts at the distinct scoring segments.  
           [0010]    The CPU displays game mode graphics on the video display. The game mode graphics include a golf course hole graphic having a virtual ball and a hole, and a power control or meter having a moving element, such as an oscillating bar. The CPU correlates an instantaneous movement (or oscillation) of said oscillating or otherwise cyclical element at an instant when a dart initially hits or contacts a distinct scoring segment with a movement of the virtual ball on the golf course hole graphic. The CPU also correlates a spatial relationship between a point where the dart contacts the distinct scoring segment and at least one of a target distinct scoring segment and target distinct scoring area with flight path characteristics, such as slicing and hooking, of the virtual ball.  
           [0011]    Embodiments of the present invention may be played by a plurality of players playing at a plurality of electronic dart game machines. The electronic dart game machines may be networked together to allow for additional players at additional locations.  
           [0012]    A method of an electronic dart golf game has also been developed. The method includes the steps of storing a plurality of virtual golf courses in the memory of an electronic dart game machine having a video display and an electronic dart board; displaying or showing a power indicator having a moving indicator, such as an oscillating bar, on the video display; moving the moving indicator so that a player may anticipate when to throw a dart toward the electronic dart board; displaying a course hole graphic and a virtual ball on the video display; contacting a distinct scoring segment on an electronic dart board with a thrown dart; and correlating the contacting step with a movement of the virtual golf ball over the course hole graphic shown on the video display. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic dart game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hardware configuration of the electronic dart game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 illustrates a video display during a dart golf game mode, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 illustrates a power control at full power, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 illustrates the power control at approximately half power, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 illustrates the power control at minimal power, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 illustrates an electronic dart board formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an operation of an electronic dart golf game during game set-up mode, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an operation of an electronic dart golf game during game play mode, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0022]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments nor to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic dart game machine  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic dart game machine  100  includes a player interface  102 , a first electronic dart board  104 , a second electronic dart board  106 , a video display  108 , interface keys  110 , and a CPU (not shown in FIG. 1). The interface keys  110  may include selection keys and player change buttons. Alternatively, the electronic dart game machine  100  may include only one electronic dart board. Also, alternatively, the electronic dart game machine  100  may include more than two electronic dart boards.  
         [0024]    Players may input game selection information and other parameters through the interface keys  110 , the player interface  102  and/or a touchscreen included on the video display  108 . The video display  108  may be a cathode ray tube (CRT) based display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a dense grid of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like. The display  108  may present players with various game selection choices, which may be activated by pressing a corresponding interface key  110 , a button on the player interface  102  and/or an appropriate location on the touchscreen of the video display  108 .  
         [0025]    The electronic dart game machine  100  may also provide video output connectors, which may provide standard connections to VGA, NTSC or S—video displays. The video display may then be mounted in a location remote from the electronic dart game machine  100 .  
         [0026]    Each electronic dart board  104  and  106  may include, for example, a set of switches (which may be magnetic, mechanical or optical) associated with each segment (such as double 20, triple 20 and bullseye) for each target value on the electronic dart board  104  or  106 . When a dart hits or contacts a segment, such as triple 20, a switch associated with the segment closes. By scanning the set of switches with a general purpose bus, the CPU included within the electronic dart game machine  100  may determine the switch that was closed. Consequently, the CPU may determine the associated target value.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hardware configuration  200  of the electronic dart game machine  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hardware configuration  200  includes the video display  108 , the first electronic dart board  104 , the second electronic dart board  106 , the CPU  202  and a memory  204 . The CPU  202  electronically connects to the first and second dart boards  104  and  106 , the video display  108  and the memory  204 . The memory  204  provides the CPU  202  with memory resources and may include banks of RAM, ROM, flash memory, EEPROM, magnetic memory or the like. The CPU  202  may be a single processor unit, or may be implemented with discrete logic, programmable logic, or a combination of a high-level processor core and discrete logic. The CPU  202  includes game set-up and game mode information. That is, the CPU  202  controls the set-up and game play of the electronic dart golf game. For example, the CPU  202  may store a plurality of electronic dart golf courses, each having a plurality of holes, within the memory  204 . After each hole is completed, the CPU  202  retrieves information for the next hole and displays the new hole on the video display  108 . For example, after a player(s) is finished with the first hole, the CPU  202  keeps track of, and displays, the player(s)&#39; scoring for that hole and moves on to the second hole.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 illustrates the video display  108  during a dart golf game mode, according to an embodiment of the present invention. During game mode of the dart golf game, the CPU  202  displays game mode graphics on the video display  108 . The game mode graphics include course hole graphic  400 , hole information  412 , power control  414 , club selection graphic  418 , environmental information  420  (such as wind and weather information), green conditions  422 , player scores  424 , and angle of trajectory  426 .  
         [0029]    The course hole graphic  400  includes a virtual ball  402  (one for each player), swing direction  403 , hole  406 , tee  408  and green  410 . The course hole graphic  400  may also include graphics representing sand traps  411 , trees  413 , water hazards  415  (penalty stroke assessed if virtual ball  402  lands in a water hazard  415 ), virtual ball lie (e.g., “on the fairway,” “in the rough,” etc.) and other features of a golf course. The swing direction  403  may be selected through the interface keys  110 , a button on the player interface  102  and/or an appropriate location on the touchscreen of the video display  108 . For example, the player may touch an interface key  110 , an appropriate location on the touchscreen of the video display  108  or a button on the player interface  102 , which corresponds to swing direction, to rotate the swing direction  403  through  360  degrees. Alternatively, the swing direction  403  may be determined by the CPU  202 . The hole information  412  includes the number of the hole being played (for example, hole  3 ), the virtual length from the tee  408  to the hole  406 , and par for the hole. Additionally, the hole information  412  may also include a virtual distance from the virtual ball  402  to the hole  406 . Also, the course hole graphic  400  may also include ball locations of additional players playing the electronic dart golf game.  
         [0030]    The club selection graphic  418  includes the virtual club being used by a player. For example, a driver may be chosen among a plurality of virtual clubs. A graphic showing the plurality of virtual clubs may also be included on the video display during game play mode. A player may select a club through the interface keys  110 , a button on the player interface  102  and/or an appropriate location on the touchscreen of the video display  108 . For example, if the video display  108  is a touchscreen display  108 , the player may touch the club selection graphic  418  to change clubs. The length, or height, of the power control  414  may correspond to the type of club selected. For example, the height of the power control  414  may be at its maximum when the driver is selected. If, however, a player selects a 3 Iron, the power control  414  may be shorter than the power control  414  for the driver.  
         [0031]    Alternatively, club selection may not be used. Rather, the power control  414  may be aligned with the distance between the virtual ball  402  and the hole  406  such that distinct scoring segments, such as triple 20 segment  522  (shown below with respect to FIG. 7), may be designated as the prime or otherwise optimal shot to the hole  406 . That is, the CPU  202  may randomly or systematically choose a distinct scoring segment, such as triple 20 segment  522  (and, perhaps, change the scoring segment after each dart throw) and display the particular scoring segment on the video display  108 . Then, the player may attempt to contact the distinct scoring segment for an optimal shot to the hole  406 . The virtual ball may land further from the hole  406  depending on the spatial distance between the dart  500  and the prime shot scoring segment (when the dart  500  contacts the electronic dart board  104 ). That is, the CPU  202  correlates the spatial distance with a movement, or “flight,” of the virtual ball  402  over the course hole graphic  400 .  
         [0032]    The environmental information  420  (such as wind and weather information) and the green conditions  422  may be randomly or systematically determined by the CPU  202 . The player may compensate for the environmental information  420  and the green conditions  422  when throwing a dart. That is, a player may wish to slice or hook a ball depending on the wind conditions shown by the environmental information  420 . Further, while on the green  410 , a player may determine that a straight shot is less than desirable depending on the slope of the green displayed by the green conditions  422 .  
         [0033]    The player scores  424  may be shown on the video display  108  at all times throughout game play. Alternatively, the player scores  424  may be shown after a hole is completed, such as when the CPU  202  transitions from one hole to a second hole. Further, between holes, a traditional-looking golf scorecard may be shown on the video display  108 . The scorecard may show individual scores and denote bogies, pars, birdies, eagles, etc.  
         [0034]    A player may also adjust the angle of trajectory  426  of the virtual ball  402 . The angle of trajectory  426  may be adjusted through the interface keys  110 , a button on the player interface  102  and/or an appropriate location on the touchscreen of the video display  108 . Alternatively, the angle of trajectory  426  may be determined through the contact of the dart with the electronic dart board  104  or  106 .  
         [0035]    The power control  414  (or power meter) includes a base  421 , a tip  417  and an oscillating indicator  416 , which oscillates from base  421  to tip  417  (and from tip  417  to base  421 ) in the direction of line A. Alternatively, instead of oscillating, the indicator may be a cyclical indicator that cycles from minimum power to medium power to maximum power to minimum power. The power control  414  may be linear, circular, or any other shape in which an inner member, such as the oscillating indicator  416 , may be shown to oscillate, fluctuate, cycle, move, etc. FIG. 4 illustrates the power control  414  at full power, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates the power control  414  at approximately half power, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates the power control  414  at minimal power, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The oscillation of the oscillating indicator  416  may be programmed to oscillate at a constant speed for all clubs.  
         [0036]    Alternatively, the oscillation of the oscillating indicator  416  may vary depending on the club selected. For example, if a driver is selected, the oscillating indicator  416  may oscillate faster than if a 5 iron is selected. Also, alternatively, the rate of oscillation of the oscillating indicator  416  may depend on the ability of the player. That is, during a game set-up mode, a player may choose between beginner, average and above average ability speeds for the oscillating indicator  416 . Optionally, depending on a particular player&#39;s handicap, which may be input into the electronic dart game machine  100  during the game set-up mode or through a networked computer, modem and/or player card, the oscillating indicator  416  may oscillate faster for a player with a low handicap as opposed to a player with a high handicap.  
         [0037]    The oscillating indicator  416  may stop, or become fixed, when a dart hits a relevant target segment, such as a target distinct scoring segment, on a dart board  104  or  106 , in order to show the player the amount of swing power. That is, the CPU  202  may lock the oscillating indicator  416  into position when dart contact is detected with the dart board  104  or  106 . The oscillating indicator  416  may begin oscillating after a predetermined time, or when an interface key  110  is engaged. Alternatively, the oscillating indicator  416  may continue to oscillate after dart contact is detected.  
         [0038]    For example, a player may throw a dart. When the dart hits the dart board  104  or  106 , the CPU  202  detects the contact and may stop the oscillation of the oscillating indicator  416  at the point in time when the dart hits the dart board  104 . That is, the CPU  202  registers the instantaneous oscillation of the oscillating indicator  416  at the instant in time when the dart contacts the electronic dart board  104 . Whether the oscillating indicator  416  stops or continues to oscillate or otherwise move, the CPU  202  correlates the height or length of the oscillating indicator  416 , as of the time the dart contacts the electronic dart board  104  or  106 , with a distance on the course hole graphic  400 . Consequently, the virtual ball  402  travels a distance over the course hole graphic  400  that corresponds to the position of the oscillating indicator  416  as of the time the dart contacted the target distinct scoring segment on the electronic dart board  104  or  106 . Then, after a predetermined period of time, the oscillating indicator  416  may begin to oscillate again until the next dart makes contact with the dart board  104  or  106  (if the oscillating indicator  416  stopped upon dart contact with the electronic dart board  104  or  106 ). After a player has thrown all of the darts (for example, three darts), the player may press a player change button, for example, one of the interface keys  110 , on the electronic dart game machine  100  to change players.  
         [0039]    A player may throw three darts in succession during game play mode. After the third dart is thrown, the CPU  202  may send a signal to the video display  108  prompting a player change. The dart golf game may proceed according to established rules of golf. That is, after the first player throws a dart, the second player throws a dart. After all players have thrown a dart (and consequently moved their respective virtual balls  402  on the course hole graphic  400 ), the player whose virtual ball  402  is furthest from the hole  406  gets to shoot next. Also, upon completion of a hole, the player with the lowest score for the completed hole gets to throw first for the next hole. In other words, the player with the lowest score for a previous hole has “honors” for the next hole.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 7 illustrates an electronic dart board  104  (which is the same as  106 ) formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic dart board  104  includes a top portion  504 , a bottom portion  506 , a right portion  508  and a left portion  509 . Additionally, the electronic dart board  104  includes a double ring  510 , a triple ring  512 , single segments  514  and a bullseye  502 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the electronic dart board  104  (or  106 ) is of a standard configuration. That is, the playing surface of the electronic dart board  104  (or  106 ) is configured as a typical regulation dart board. Darts, such as dart  500 , are thrown at, and stick in, the electronic dart board  104 . Each numbered portion of the electronic dart board  104  includes distinct scoring segments. For example, numbered portion  20  of the electronic dart board  104  includes a lower single 20 segment  516 , a triple 20 segment  504 , an upper single 20 segment  518  and a double 20 segment  520 .  
         [0041]    Each numbered portion of the electronic dart board  104  (or  106 ) may correspond to a particular virtual club. The electronic dart game machine  100  may include a chart illustrating the relationship between virtual clubs and distinct scoring segments. For example, numbered portion  20  may correspond to a driver. Thus, numbered portion  20  is the target distinct scoring area for the driver. If a player throws a dart that connects with another numbered portion, such as numbered portion  18 , when the chosen club is a driver, the player may be penalized a “stroke,” or dart throw. Alternatively, the player may not be given the option to choose a club; rather, dart contact with a particular distinct scoring segment may determine which club is used. For example, if a player throws a dart that contacts numbered portion  20  on the electronic dart board  104 , the virtual ball  402  may be hit with a driver. If, however, the dart contacts the numbered portion  5 , the virtual ball  402  may be hit with a 5 Iron.  
         [0042]    Alternatively, if the player is given a club selection choice before a dart is thrown, once a club is selected, the entire dart board  104  may be used to determine the flight of the virtual ball  402 . That is, a player may only be required to make contact with any distinct scoring segment of the electronic dart board  104 . The distance between the point of contact of the dart  500  with a target distinct scoring segment, such as a bullseye  502 , on the electronic dart board  104  may determine the distance between the virtual ball  402  and the hole  406 . For example, if the bullseye  502  is the target (communicated to the player by way of the video display  108 ), a dart  500  that contacts the electronic dart board  104  at lower single 20 segment  516 , for example, may result in the virtual ball  402  being closer to the hole  406  than if the dart  500  contacted the upper single 20 segment  518 .  
         [0043]    Alternatively, the CPU  202  may segregate the electronic dart board  104  into a plurality of sections. That is, instead of a player throwing a dart toward target distinct scoring segments, such as triple 20, the player may set the game up such that a group of distinct scoring segments become a distinct scoring area (such as an entire numbered portion of the electronic dart board  104 , or even the entire electronic dart board  104 ). Each section, or area, may correspond to a different club. For example, the radial portion from numbered portion  13  to numbered portion  20  may correspond to a first club, while the radial portion from numbered portion  5  to numbered portion  11  may correspond to a second club. The video display may display which areas of the electronic dart board  104  correspond to different clubs. If the electronic dart board  104  is segregated into four club sections, the player may choose which four clubs are included within the sections. Alternatively, the CPU  202  may automatically choose the four most applicable virtual clubs with respect to the distance from the virtual ball  402  to the hole  406 . That is, the player or the CPU  202  may choose a range of virtual clubs that may correspond to sections of the electronic dart board  104 .  
         [0044]    During game set-up mode, a player may choose various types of dart board/club relationships. For example, a player may opt to choose a virtual club before a throw and have the entire electronic dart board  104  act as a unified segment for the particular club. Optionally, the player may choose that each numbered portion corresponds to a different club; or that groups of numbered portions correspond to different clubs.  
         [0045]    Slice and hook shots may also be determined through the contact of the dart  500  with the electronic dart board  104 . For example, if the target distinct scoring segment is triple 20 segment  520 , the lower single segment, such as lower single 20 segment  516 , may hook the virtual ball  402 , while the upper single segment, such as upper single segment  518 , may slice the virtual ball  402 . The triple segment, such as triple 20 segment  522 , may be a straight shot. Additionally, the further a dart is from a target distinct scoring segment, such as triple 20 segment  522 , the more the virtual ball  402  may slice or hook. For example, a dart that contacts lower single 20 segment  516  will hook less the closer it is to the triple 20 segment  522 . Conversely, a dart that contacts lower single 20 segment  516  will hook more the closer it is to the bullseye  502 . Similarly, a dart that contacts upper single 20 segment  516  will slice more the farther the dart is from the triple 20 segment  516 .  
         [0046]    Alternatively, the entire electronic dart board  104  may represent the virtual ball while the dart  500  may represent the contact point between the virtual club chosen and the virtual ball  402 . For example, a thrown dart  500  that contacts the electronic dart board  104  at the bullseye  502  may result in a perfectly centered and straight shot. Dart contact below the bullseye  502  toward the bottom portion  506  of the electronic dart board  506  may result in hitting under, or putting backspin on, the virtual ball  402  with the virtual club. Conversely, dart contact above the bullseye  502  toward the top portion  504  of the electronic dart board  506  may result in hitting over, or putting topspin on, the virtual ball  402  with the virtual club. Also, hitting toward the left portion  509  or the right portion  508  may result in slice and hook shots. The slice, hook, backspin, or topspin of the virtual ball  402  may increase with increased distance between the dart  500  and the bullseye  502  (upon the dart  500  contacting the electronic dart board  104 ). Optionally, the angle of trajectory of the virtual ball may be determined by the distance from the bullseye  502 . That is, the angle of trajectory may increase with increased distance between the dart  500  and the bullseye  502  (upon the dart  500  contacting the electronic dart board  104 ). A player may desire to compensate for the environmental conditions  420  shown on the video display  108  by throwing a dart  500  away from the target distinct scoring segment in order to slice, hook, or otherwise hitting a non-straight shot.  
         [0047]    Referring again to FIG. 3, the length of the power control  414  may correspond to the maximum distance a virtual ball  402  may travel. For example, before a player throws a dart, the base  421  of the power control  414  may be aligned with the current location of the virtual ball  402 , while the tip  417  of the power control  414  may align with a position on the course hole graphic  400  to which the virtual ball  402  may travel if a dart hits an appropriate target segment when the power control  414  is at full power. In other words, the height of the oscillating indicator  416  may directly correspond to the distance the virtual ball  402  may travel on the course hole graphic  400  toward the hole  406 . For example, as shown in FIG. 3, if a player contacts the relevant target segment of the electronic dart board  104  (or  106 ) when the oscillating indicator  416  is at the position shown in FIG. 3, the virtual ball may travel to the spot  419 . Thus, the height of the oscillating indicator  416  as of the time a dart  500  contacts the electronic dart board  104  (or  106 ) may be a visual indicator of the distance the virtual ball  402  may travel over the course hole graphic  400 .  
         [0048]    Alternatively, the power control  414  may not directly correspond to the distance the virtual ball  402  may travel over the course hole graphic  400 . That is, the height of the power control  414  may remain constant for all clubs. However, a power control  414  at maximum power for a driver, for example, will result in a virtual ball  402  traveling a longer distance over the course hole graphic  400  than that of a power control  414  at maximum power for a  3  Wood. In other words, the alignment of the power control  414  with the course hole graphic  400  may not provide a visual guide as to how far the virtual ball  402  may travel over the course hole graphic  400 . Instead, the player may have to intuitively estimate how far the virtual ball  402  will travel depending on the length of the oscillating indicator  416 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an operation of an electronic dart golf game during game set-up mode, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The CPU  202  executes instructions stored in the memory  204  which correspond to certain steps illustrated in FIG. 8. At  800 , a player inserts money into the electronic dart game machine  100 . The electronic dart machine  100  may be in an attract mode before money is inserted into the electronic dart machine  100 . That is, the instructions may start an attract mode periodically which illustrates the features of the game and how it is played. Next, at  802 , the CPU  202  detects the insertion of money into the electronic dart game machine  100  and initiates game set-up mode. Game set-up mode includes setting up various parameters and ground rules of the electronic dart golf game. At  804 , a player chooses the number of players. At  806 , players may enter their respective handicaps. At  808 , a player chooses a particular course from a library of courses stored in the memory. At  810 , the player chooses the number of holes that the player would like to play. If more money is needed to play the number of holes the player chose, the CPU  202  may alert the player, through the video display  108 , that more money needs to be inserted. At  812 , the player may choose the scoring segment/virtual club relationship. For example, the player may decide that distinct scoring segments of numbered portions of the electronic dart board  104  represent different virtual clubs; or that the entire electronic dart board  104 , or entire numbered portions, such as single, double, and triple distinct segments of a numbered portion of a dart board, may be target segments for straight shots. At  814 , the player may choose among various other parameters. For example, the player may choose auto-club selection; auto optimal angle of trajectory, environmental conditions, etc.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an operation of an electronic dart golf game during game play mode, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The CPU  202  executes instructions stored in the memory  204  which correspond to certain steps illustrated in FIG. 9. At  900 , the CPU  202  displays game mode graphics on the video display  108 , after game set-up. The game mode graphics may include the course hole graphic  400 , hole information  412 , power control  414 , club selection graphic  418 , environmental information  420  (such as wind and weather information), green conditions  422 , player scores  424 , and angle of trajectory  426 . At  902 , the player may choose various swing characteristics, such as angle of trajectory and direction of swing, depending on whether, during game set-up, the player opted to choose these characteristics before throwing a dart. If these characteristics may be chosen before a dart is thrown, the player chooses them. If not, these characteristics may be determined based on the throw of the dart.  
         [0051]    At  904 , the player throws a dart at the electronic dart board  104  (or  106 ). Next, at  906 , the CPU  202  correlates the golf swing power and flight path of the virtual ball  402  with the position of the dart at the moment the dart contacted the electronic dart board  104  (or  106 ). That is, the player must watch the oscillating indicator  416  oscillate on the power control  414  and throw the dart such that the dart contacts the electronic dart board  104  (or  106 ) when the power control  414  is at maximum power, or at a particular desired power position. The CPU  202  correlates the distance that the virtual ball travels with the position of the oscillating indicator  416  at the moment the dart contacts the electronic dart board  104  (or  106 ). Additionally, the CPU  202  correlates the flight path of the virtual ball based on the spatial distance between the point of dart contact and the target segment. That is, if triple 20 is the target corresponding to a straight shot, the distance between the point of dart contact on the electronic dart board  104  or  106  and the triple 20 determines the slice, hook, and/or topspin or backspin of the virtual ball.  
         [0052]    At  908 , the CPU  202  shows the flight of the virtual ball on the video display  108 . If, at step  910 , the virtual ball converges on, or “drops in,” the hole  406 , the particular player is done with the particular hole. The player then waits until other players are finished with the particular hole. If the virtual ball does not drop into the hole  406 , the virtual ball is then shown at its new position on the course hole graphic  400 , at which point the process repeats until the ball is in the hole  406 . When all players are finished with a particular hole, the players proceed to the next hole. Player scores may be displayed on the video display throughout game play, or may be displayed at transition points, such as after the completion of a hole.  
         [0053]    Typical golf scoring rules may apply to the electronic dart golf game. For example, if a virtual ball  402  lands in a water hazard  415  or out of bounds, the player may be assessed a penalty stroke. Additionally, one or more players may play the electronic dart golf game. Also, additional electronic dart boards may be networked together such that multiple players at multiple electronic dart game machines may play. Also, speed electronic dart golf may be played. That is, the CPU may keep track of the time it takes a player to finish a round of electronic dart golf. Also, stroke limits may be used with each hole. For example, the CPU may limit the maximum number of dart throws per course hole to  6 . After a player throws six darts without putting the virtual ball in the hole, the player moves on to the next hole. Also, the CPU may keep track of golf feats such as longest drive, longest putt, birdies, eagles, albatrosses, holes-in one, etc.  
         [0054]    While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.