BOWLING OPERATIONS SUPPORT SYSTEM

Abstract: The Bowling Support System (BOSS) of the figure controls a plurality of games in a bowling center or establishment which consists of a plurality of bowling lanes (5) that can be used for one or more players. Each lane has a foul line and a pindeck. The setup and removal of pins on the pindeck is controlled by a pinspotter. One or more workstations (10) with one or more optionally connected printers (15 and 20) are used for the front desk functions including maintaining and updating the scores for each of the players (bowlers), the pinspotter, the point of sale functions, open and league check-in and check-out, shoe rentals, entertainment and video merchandising at the lanes, vending and cash control. More workstations can be connected to a host processor (25) via connections (30) for a bowling center management system that comprises a redundant master database stored on both a host and back-up processor, a client-server configuration and self-serve kiosks for retrieving and updating the master database.

Description: Title of the Invention Bowling Operations Support System BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The invention is in the area of bowling center management. Specifically, the present invention relates to the automated monitoring and management of all activities that take place in a bowling center. Statement of the Prior Art While other bowling center management systems exist, BOSS has several novel and significant features. Among these are a master database that is redundant. That is, the master database is maintained not only on a host processor but is also maintained on a back-up host processor in the event of a system failure such that no data is lost and data can be retrieved as if no failure had occurred. This is new and novel in this environment. Further, the present invention can be configured as a client-server system with the master database stored on both the server and a client. Once again, this is novel in this environment. The present invention also optionally uses kiosks to not only retrieve information and data from the system but also interactively to update the master database and perform tasks such as adding a name or names to a waiting list and adding money to a smart card. The present invention is therefore reliable, flexible, and scaleable. This combination of features is not available anywhere in the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION BOSS is a bowling center management support system that is reliable, simple- to-learn and easy to use. BOSS handles check-in and check-out for league play as well as open play bowling. BOSS also manages simple cash control with a plurality of department keys including refund and no-sale capabilities. Bowling Center management with BOSS includes shoe rentals, lane status summary and detail screens, unattended mode, bowler score printing, pinspotter control, scorer control and the ability to send full screen, scrolling and static one-line messages to a lane for monitor display. The system provides for the bowling center proprietor to customize their center by the addition of "back office" functions such as labor categories and security setup, employee information, system and bowling center defaults, revenue key definitions setup, reports (including detailed and summary shift reports, lane activity reports, exception reports, revenue reports and payment reports) and score printouts. Each module is independent of the others and can therefore be installed without a software or hardware upgrade. Additional application modules includeincluding but limited to league management, tournament management, locker rental, frequent bowlers and bowler membership program, billiard management, waiting list, and video merchandising are available. In addition to information retrieval and updating from the kiosk(s), it (they) can be used for check-in and check-out. Additionally, the master database can be "mined" for the generation and mailing of advertising and promotions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 depicts the system configuration. Figure 2 is a sample main screen which shows the lane status and has icons corresponding to other functions or activities that can be accessed from this screen. Figure 3 contains the description of the lane icons. Figure 4 is a sample point of sale screen. Figure 5 is a sample cash screen. Figure 6 is a sample detailed lane control actions screen. Figure 7 is a sample detailed lane control features screen. Figure 8 is a sample score control screen. Figure 9 is a sample open check-in screen. Figure 10 is a sample league check-in screen. Figure 11 is a sample check-out screen. Figure 12 is a sample default back office screen. Figure 13 is a sample basic center setup screen. Figure 14 is a sample employee setup screen. Figure 15 is a sample miscellaneous center settings screen. Figure 16 is a sample revenue key definitions screen. Figure 17 is a sample reports and backups screen. Figure 18 is a sample end of Shift Report with Detailed Information. Figure 19 is a continuation of Figure 18. Figure 20 is a sample end of shift report with summary information. Figure 21 is a sample score grid printout. Figure 22 is a sample exception report. Figure 23 is a sample activity report. Figure 24 is a continuation of Figure 23. Figure 25 is a sample payment report. Figure 26 is a sample revenue report. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The figures discussed in detail below assume a touch screen. The BOSS system allows for the use of a keyboard or a mouse instead of a touch screen. The keyboard has the same icons but the key with the icon would be depressed instead of touching the icon on the screen. Fig. 1 depicts how the BOSS system would be configured. The system controls a plurality of games in a bowling center or establishment which consists of a plurality of bowling lanes 5 that can be used by one or more players. Each lane has a foul line and a pindeck. The setup and removal of pins on the pindeck is controlled by a pinspotter. One or more workstations 10 with one or more optionally connected printers 15 and 20 are used for the front desk functions including maintaining and updating the scores for each of the players (bowlers), the pinspotter, the point of sale functions, open and league check-in and check-out, shoe rentals, entertainment and video merchandising at the lanes, vending (e.g. food and beverage sales) and cash control. These functions are depicted in figs. 2 through 11 and discussed in more detail later. The workstations can run in a standalone mode with an operating system and a plurality of modular applications programs for the features briefly listed above and described later. More typically, the workstations will be connected to a host processor 25 via connections 30. The modular applications programs would be installed on the host machine and would be adapted for access by the workstations. In addition to the host processor, one of the workstations would be designated as a backup host in the event of a failure. The host processor would perform back office operations as depicted in figs. 12 through 26 and described later. Data is entered from keyboards or touch screens of the workstations performing front desk operations and the host processor performing back office operations. Data is entered via the modular application programs used for both front desk operations and back office operations. All data entered is stored in a master database on the host computer and additionally on the backup host for restoration in the event of a failure. Different sets of rules comprise the group consisting of accounting rules, handicapping rules, inventory rules, league rules, maintenance rules, merchandising rules, rental rules, scoring rules, usage rules and any or all combinations thereof. The modular application programs can be changed according to the rules selected for the bowling establisliment as defaults. The rules are controlled and selected based on user selectable prompts. Some rules can be changed for a lane or range of lanes. Examples are game types, scoring formats and lane alternation. For example, the 40 frame game format has a number of variations including mulligan, 8 pin no-tap, 9 pin no-tap, big kahuna, etc. described later. Lane alternation can be by frame or by game or not at all. Scoring can be regular 10 pin, 3-6-9, 8 pin no-tap etc. described later. These all constitute different sets of rules that can be selected by the establishment. Other rules apply to the taxation or not of revenue items, which is determined by the state or country where the bowling establishment is located. The means to enter and update the data contained in the master database and the duplicate copy of the master database on the backup host independent of the rules selected. In addition to the above described configuration the host processor 25 can be denominated a server 25 and the workstations 10 can be denominated clients 10 making the system a client-server system. This is entirely in line and consistent with the depiction of the system in fig. 1 and the selection of Windows NT as the operating system. In this case, the connections 30 between the clients 10 and the server 25 would be via a local area network 30. Further, the connection between the client-server system and the other equipment in the bowling center, such as the pinspotter, the entertainment, cash control, etc. would also be via a local area network 30. The modular application programs described above and in more detail later would be installed on the server 25 adapted for access by one or more clients 10. The master database would be stored on the server 25 with backup on one of the clients 10. Data entry and update would be as described above. Rules would be selected and implemented as described above. Also, the case of a client failure, the server 25 could perform the operations of that client 10. In addition to the above description of the embodiments of the system, one or more self-serve kiosks may be installed in the bowling center. The purpose of these self-serve kiosks is to allow a player (customer) to retrieve information and to check- in or check-out. A player (bowler) could also update limited information such as his or her personal information, e.g. address, phone number, handicap, etc. The kiosks would be connected to the same local area network and the data entered at such kiosks would be stored in the redundant master database described above. The kiosk may also be used to perform tasks such as adding a name or names to a waiting list and adding money to a smart card. The system as constituted in the above embodiments additionally comprises security means resident in the server or any of the clients for selectively preventing use of the system by unauthorized persons. This is accomplished through assigning passwords and system access based on labor category. Referring to each of the figures in turn, fig. 2 is a sample main screen. The banner 115 indicates the name of the bowling center. Contained within the banner is a date box 120 and a time box 125. Immediately beneath the banner 115 is the title bar 130 which indicates which screen is currently being displayed. Contained within the title bar 130 for the main screen is a lane selection option 110 which is used to view the status of the selected lane or range of lanes. To select a lane touch its lane status box. To select a range of lanes the front desk staff must drag their finger across the lane status boxes to the last lane in the range they wish to select. Each of the numbered smaller boxes 105 on the Main Screen indicates a lane and its status. Navigation to other ranges of lanes can be accomplished by the up and down arrow keys 135. The coin icon 140 at the bottom of the screen is for access to the point of sale screen. The point of sale icon provides the ability to ring up non-bowling activity items, shoes not associated with a specific lane, and no sale functions. The payment screen follows all cash transactions. The asterisk over the two vertical boxes/lanes icon 145 is for access to the lane control screen. The pencil over the score grid is the scorer icon 150 and is for access to control a scorer unit. This icon will permit front desk personnel to perform all scoring functions for the selected lane. Scorer options include return to score sheet, change score, show league options, recap scores, change team name, reset pins, enter or change bowlers' names, enter handicap(s), change pacer status (a pacer is a person who bowls with a league but whose score is not counted in league or tournament play), return to original lineup, make a service call, change bowling order, change blind status (a blind is a person who is absent from a league or tournament and a score is assigned to that person), remove team from monitor, view last pindication, select next bowler, start a new game, end bowling, find bowler id, and special function options. League options include recap, change team name, pacer, return to original lineup, blind, and remove them from monitor. Special functions include return to main menu, color and display, pinspotter on, pinspotter off, scoring method, bowling style, language, software versions, graphics control and restore game. The lock and key icon 155 is for access to the front desk workstation lock function. This will permit operation in unattended mode and a password will be required to reactivate the station. The bowling pin icon 160 is for turning on the pinspotter. This will allow emergency shutdown of the pinspotter for a lane or range of lanes. Examples of emergencies are a child on the lane or a mechanical problem. The open check-in icon 165 is used to access the screen for checking in a lane or lanes for open play, controling the start of practice and controling the start of competition. The league check-in icon 170 is used to access the screen for checking in lanes for league or tournament play. The check-out icon 175 is used to access the screen for checking out of a lane or lanes. This function is the same for league and open play. The "X" icon 180 is for clearing a selection from the screen. This has the effect of resetting or canceling keystroke entries made in error. The double-headed arrow icon 185 is for toggling between the quick glance and detailed views of the main screen. This is also called the status view icon. The quick glance shows more lanes with less information and the detailed view shows more information but fewer lanes on the screen. Specifically quick glance shows the lane number, lane availability, pinspotter status, number of games and frames bowled and league number or group identification. Detailed view shows all of the information available with quick glance as well as the rate charged, the game or time limit, alternation style and practice information. There is a special button on the keyboard to initiate printing score tickets. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the numbered lane information boxes 105 of fig. 2. The lane information box is divided up into the eight (8) fields indicated and described in fig. 3. The lane number is indicated by 205 in the upper left of the lane information box. The four icons used in the lane status field are shown and described in the lane status box 210. The three icons used in pinspotter status are shown and described in the pinspotter and communication status box 215. The pinspotter is the machine that sets pins. The pinspotter status icons indicate that the pinspotter is on , the pinspotter is off or that communication with the pinspotter has been lost. The number of games and frames bowled is indicated by field 220. The numbers in this field represent the number of games bowled at the selected lane, then after the decimal point, the number of frames bowled. The league number or group identification number is indicated by field 225. The rate paid by the group is indicated by field 230. The prepaid game or time limit or flat rate shutoff time is indicated by field 235. Bowlers can be charged by the amount of time they bowl, by the number of games that they play or a flat rate for the rental of the lane. The six icons used to indicate style and practice information are shown and described in field 240. Practice is play prior to the start of competitive bowling. This mode allows bowlers to warm up without tracking their scores. Practice information includes hold, practice and finished. In league bowling, when practice time has not yet begun, a lane is put on hold to allow the scorer (the computer which performs the scorekeeping) to be turned on so that names can be input and changed. In time bowling, a lane is put on hold to stop the clock (e.g. to fix a mechanical problem). Finished means that practice time is over. Practice can be with or without pins. The box in the lower left of fig. 3 shows the colors used in the lane information box and their meanings. Fig. 4 is a sample point of sale screen. The line items grid box 305 contains the line item transactions 310 and the total amount due 315 for the purchases. The categories or departments of the lines items posted on the line items transactions box 310 are indicated in the categories or departments box 320. The left pointing arrow icon 325 indicates a return to the previous screen. The done or check mark icon 330 indicates that all entries on this screen are complete. Point of sale items are not usually associated with a lane and can be purchased at any time before, during, or after a game. They can be either pre-pay or post pay. For every completed sale a cash screen (fig. 5) is displayed for actually receiving payment. The cash screen contains additional information about the group including the group's name 405, the group's sheet number 410 and the number of bowlers 415. The box in the upper right of the cash screen 420 indicates the form of payment. The forms of payment include cash, check, charge and coupon. If the payment is cash, the front desk staff enter the amount tendered. If the payment is tendered by check, the front desk staff has the option of entering the amount due, the check number, the driver's license number and authorization number. If payment is made by coupon, then the amount of the coupon must be entered. If payment is made by credit card, the amount paid must be entered. The credit card number, the authorization number and the expiration date may also be entered. The box 425 beneath the form of payment box 420 indicates the amount tendered and any change due. A customer may pay using a combination of payment types. The sample detailed lane control screens of figs. 6 and 7 encompass two tabs of the same screen. The tab highlighted at the top (just below the title bar) indicates whether the detailed lane control screen is actions (fig. 6) or features (fig. 7). In fig. 6 the action tab 510 of the display area 505 is highlighted indicating that the buttons are for actions rather than features. The features tab 515 is not highlighted. The practice modes button, which is used to indicate that practice is with or without pins or no practice (off). The alternation button 525 indicates that alternation is open style (non- alternating lanes) or league style (alternating lanes). The baker button 530 indicates enabled or disabled, baker is a method of bowling in which all team members bowl one game together by alternating who plays each frame. The frames per bowler button 535 indicates 1, 2, 5 or 10. The scoring methods button 540 indicates the available scoring options 10 pin, 8 pin no tap, 9 pin no tap, or 3-6-9. The available options for the game types button 545 are 10 pin, 40 frame game, or strike shot. 10 pin format is a regular game with regular scoring. 40 frame game format consists of a number of variations including 8 pin no-tap, 9 pin no-tap, mulligan, pay day, auto strike, bonus, big kahuna, sour grapes, super sour and bingo bango bongo. 8 pin no- tap is when any first ball delivery knocks down eight or more pins, it counts as a strike. 9 pin no-tap means any first ball delivery that knocks down nine or more pins counts as a strike. Mulligan is when the bowler does not like his first ball delivery, he or she can do it over. Pay day is when a strike is worth extra money or a prize as determined by the bowling center. Auto strike is when a strike will appear automatically. Bonus is when a strike is worth an extra ten points. The big kahuna is when a strike is worth an extra 25 points. Sour grapes is when two points are deducted for every pin standing after the first ball. Super sour is when five points are deducted for every pin standing after the first ball. Bingo bango bongo is striking out in the 38th, 39th and 40th frames. Strike shot is bowling one ball per frame. The bowler receives one point for each pin knocked down. If the head pin falls, the points are doubled for that frame. Button 550 is the AccuVision button, which provides the ability to record bowler activities on the lane or lanes selected. Encore will expand the functionality of AccuVision. The hold button 555 has available options on and off. Button 560 is the cycle pinspotter option, which cycles the pinspotter. The display formats button 565 has available options 10 frame, tournament display, or 5 frame display. The 10 frame option displays all 10 frames of the game. In the case of a 40 frame game, the most recent 9 frames are displayed plus the current frame. The tournament display option displays an enlarged view which shows more clearly the names and scores of up to two bowlers. It is intended to give a better view of the score to the audience sitting behind the lanes. The 5 frame option displays five frames at a time. After the fifth frame has been bowled, the screen scrolls to display frames 2 - 6, then frames 3 - 7, etc. The color setup button 570 allows the front desk staff to change the colors on the screen. The scorer language button 575 allows the front desk staff to change the language presented on the screen. The languages currently supported include English, Chinese, Danish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Polish, Spanish, Thai and Bahasa. The video merchandising button 580 displays pre-selected advertising on the monitors of a selected lane or selected lanes. The advertising can be static, animated or video clips. The reverse arrows button 585 switches the arrows to the other direction when in league style play. The television setup button 590 allows the control of the auxiliary monitors. The messages setup button 595 provides directions on screen for entering messages. The monitor power button 507 is for turning the monitor power on and off. The pinspotter modes button 517 allows the front desk staff to select on with pins, on without pins or off for pinspotter operation. The restore game button 527 allows the front desk staff to restore the previous game. The reset last selection button 537 allows the front desk staff to reset their last selection. The reset all selections button 547 allows the front desk staff to reset all of their action selections. The cancel selection button 557 allows the front desk staff to cancel an action selection. In fig. 7 the features tab 515 of the display area 605 is highlighted indicating that the buttons are for features rather than actions. The reset lane features to defaults button 610 allows the front desk staff to reset the lane features to the defaults. The color sequencing enabled button 615 allows the front desk staff to enable or disable color sequencing. The bowler keyboard enabled button 620 allows the front desk staff to enable or disable the bowlers keyboard. The scorer off options button 625 allows a screen saver, a logo, group 1, group 2, or group 3 to be displayed on the screen when the scorer is off. The remove score request button 630 allows the front desk staff to enable or disable the request for score removal. The start new game button 635 allows the front desk staff to start a new game. The action graphics disabled button 640 allows the front desk staff to enable or disable action graphics. The scorer in/out of service button 645 allows the front desk staff to place the scorer in or out of service. The maintenance off button 650 turns the maintenance indication for that lane on or off. The pindication button 655 allows the front desk staff to enable or disable the pindication feature. Pindication is the display on the scorer monitor that shows a bowler which pins are left standing after his or her first ball delivery. The sparemaker enabled button 660 allows the front desk staff to enable or disable the sparemaker feature. The sparemaker feature appears with the pindication on the monitor and suggests a way to convert the pins standing into a spare. The software version button 665 allows the front desk staff to view the software version numbers. Fig. 8 is a sample blank scoring grid on which a bowler would keep their score or the front desk staff would change a score if there was a mechanical problem with a lane. This grid is overlaid on the main screen at the front desk. Checking in bowlers involves turning on lanes for bowlers who are not participating in a league or tournament game. The open check-in button 165 on the main screen or keyboard is the place to start for both open-play check-in methods. Quick is the fastest way to check-in open bowlers. This method should be used if the defaults set at your center apply to the bowlers that are checking-in. The regular method should be used when the preset defaults do not apply to the bowlers that are checking-in, or if the bowlers request options for display format, score format, game type, or alternation style. From the open check-in screen (fig. 9) the front desk staff would touch the desired bowling revenue item(s) on the revenue items grid 815. The selected items and their price will appear on the revenue items list 810 at the left side of the display screen. To input any item more than once, the numeric keypad on the keyboard should be used. In this case enter the desired number of items on the keypad then select the desired item by touching the revenue items grid 815. Select options display format 820, score format 825, game type 830 and style 835 by touching the option desired. A list will appear for each option selected. The desired option can be selected from the list of option by touching it on the screen. The options for display format are 5 frame, tournament display and 10 frame. These have been previously discussed. Score format consists of 3-6-9, 8 pin no-tap, 9 pin no-tap, 10 pin, 40 frame games, and strike shot. All except 3-6-9 are described elsewhere in this specification. 3-6-9 is when a bowler does not bowl the third, sixth, or ninth frames but receives a strike for those frames. Optional information can be supplied for the group name field 840, the sheet number field 845 and the bowler count field 850. The group name field 840 allows the front desk staff too enter a bowler or bowling group name up to 12 characters. This information may be entered manually by first pressing the "F2" key on the keyboard or touching that part of the screen. The sheet number field 845 will automatically show the correct number of sheets if the bowling center uses sheets. This can be modified by the front desk staff by first pressing the "F3" key on the keyboard. The bowler count field 850 allows the front desk staff to enter the number of bowlers who want to bowl at the selected lanes. This number must be entered manually by first pressing the "F4" key on the keyboard. The amount due for the revenue items selected will appear in the total amount due box 855. Once check-in is complete touch the done or check mark icon 330. If the revenue items selected are pre-pay items then the cash screen depicted in fig. 4 will automatically appear. Checking-in a league turns on lanes for league play. Checking-in a tournament is similar to checking-in a league, except the display format of the scorer is usually set to tournament. From the main screen touch the league check-in icon 170. Optionally manually enter the league number in the league number box 905 at the top left of the league check-in screen (fig. 10). If the league module is installed, the user will choose a league number from a list. The front desk staff would then select the desired game mode by touching the desired icon in the game mode box 910. The hold icon 915 indicates that the lanes are being held and set up for a league that is not yet ready to play. Set up includes enterinplayers' names and handicaps. The practice icon 920 turns on the lanes and the scorer but the play arrows are not activated. The available options for practicing are to practice with pins or without pins. Practicing with pins means that the pinspotter clears fallen pins as in a regular game and practice balls are returned. Practicing without pins means that practice balls are returned but the pinspotter does not clear fallen pins. The bowler icon 925 indicates that the lane(s) are in use for league bowling. The front desk staff would select the alternation mode desired by the league by touching an icon in the alternation mode box 930. The non-alternating icon 935 indicates that the bowlers do not alternate lanes. The alternating icon 940 indicates that the bowlers alternate each frame. The alternating after game icon 945 indicates that the bowlers alternate after each game. When checking-out open-play bowlers, payment is accepted for the games played and any post-pay bowling revenue items. Since league-play bowlers pay elsewhere for their games, checking-out league bowlers only involves turning off their lanes and viewing their game statistics. A sample check-out screen is depicted in fig. 11. It is very similar to the cash screen of fig. 5 and the open check-in screen of fig. 9. The only additional information found on the check-out screen is the number of games bowled 1005. In addition to front desk functions, BOSS provides a "back office" subsystem to manage security, employees, accounting, etc. The back office subsystem allows the bowling center proprietor to customize their center. Individual modules can be installed based on the center's requirements and do not require software upgrades. Fig. 12 is the default screen 1100. The tabs at the top or bottom of the screen allow bowling center personnel to quickly navigate to the screen or information that they need. The back office administrator tab 1115 is for the default screen 1100. The title bar 1105 is at the top of default screen 1100. The basic center setup tab 1125 allows bowling center personnel to record the bowling center information, labor category information and security information. The employee setup tab 1135 allows bowling center personnel to record employee information. The miscellaneous center settings tab 1110 allows bowling center personnel to record additional basic center settings, default bowling settings, payment types and system defaults. The revenue key definitions tab 1120 allows bowling center personnel to define revenue buttons, define button captions and descriptions, select item types and define costs and rate types. The reports and backups/restores tab 1130 allows bowling center personnel to generate and print reports and to save and restore settings in the event of a failure. Fig. 13 is the basic center setup screen, which is used to record the center demographics such as center name, address, and phone numbers in the center setup information box 1205. Touch the done icon when the information has been entered. The center labor category setup box 1210 is used to record labor categories. To add a new category touch the "+" icon. To delete a labor category, highlight the labor category to be deleted and touch the "wastebasket" icon. Touch the done icon when the information has been entered. The center function security setup box 1215 is used to limit access to functions based on password and labor category. Touch the done icon when the information has been entered. The sample employee setup screen depicted in fig. 14 is used to create and record employee records. Bowling center personnel can enter, change and maintain employee records if they are authorized to do so by security. The employee information box 1310 on the right side of the display allows the entry of an employee's name, social security number, date of birth, user identification, password, start date, termination date, and labor category. The employee information list 1305 on left side of the screen displays employee information alphabetically. Information about deleted employees is always retained in the database, user identifications are limited to ten characters. The miscellaneous center settings screen, fig. 15, is used to set information on cash handling, prepaid bowling information and default scorer settings. This screen is used to select system defaults, which are the options that will be displayed automatically at the front desk. Alerts will alert the front desk staff to a slow bowler, when a group is close to the end of a prepaid or timed game or upon disconnect. This helps the front desk staff anticipate which lanes will be open soon. All of the checkboxes on this screen toggle between being enabled and being disabled. That is, selecting the checkbox enables the option and clearing the checkbox by selecting it disables the option. The additional basic center settings box 1405 on the left side of the display allows bowling center personnel with the appropriate security level to enter or change the number of free frames, additional tax, and the cost per extra frame. The sheets number support toggles to allow the use of numbered scoring sheets at the center. The allow post-pay toggles to allow customers to post-pay any items. The front desk controls pinspotter toggles to allow the front desk staff to control the pinspotter. The receipt printer toggles to allow the printing of receipts. The system defaults box 1410 in the center of the screen allows the entry or change of the minutes before the pre-paid time alert is displayed at the front desk monitor. Bowling center staff can also enter or change, with the appropriate security level, the number of frames before the pre-paid limit is reached and posted at the front desk monitor, the default alternation mode, the default score format, the default display format and the default score language. Additionally, the number of minutes before a slow bowler alert appears at the front desk monitor, as well as a 9th or 10th frame alert at the front desk monitor. The payment types supported box 1415 uses toggles to select the forms of payment that will be accepted. The purge box 1420 indicates the number of hours of scores that should be preserved in the system during a data purge. The revenue key definitions screen, fig. 16, is where the department buttons are created and defined for a specific bowling center. A center can have a plurality of revenue keys or buttons. These are configurable, which means that the center decides what item a button will represent. The center selects the item to be sold, as well as its type, cost, and tax percentage. A bowling revenue item will appear on the open check-in screen and a non-bowling, non-game button will appear on the point of sale screen. The center may configure as many of the twelve available buttons as it likes. Bowling center personnel with appropriate security levels only should enter or change data. The first step in defining revenue buttons is to select one of the twelve buttons in the select button box 1505. Next, proceed to the define button caption and description box 1510 to give the button a name using set caption and describe the button using set description. The select item type box 1515. If bowling is selected then select whether the item is game or non-game. The define costs and rate types box 1520 allows for the entry or change of the cost, the tax rate, the rate type, and whether the item is post-pay or pre-pay. The default revenue item box 1525 can be toggled if the item is to be the center's default revenue item. The reports and backups/restores screen is used to generate end of shift reports and backups of default information. There are four kinds of daily reports: detailed transaction, summary information, exceptions and lane activity. All data from the reports is stored in the system database until purged. After a report prints successfully, the data are automatically purged. Copies or backups can be made to protect the bowling center's program configuration. To generate a report touch the reports icon 1605 on the reports and backups/restores screen (fig. 17). Touching this icon will print all of the reports. To backup the system touch the icon with the arrowhead pointing to a disk in the backup/restore administrative settings icon 1610. To restore data touch the icon with the arrowhead pointing to the computer in the backup/restore administrative settings icon 1610. Figs. 18 and 19 are a sample end of shift detailed transaction report, which lists the transaction id, description (item type), rate, quantity, and the amounts due, adjusted and received. Fig. 20 is a sample end of shift summary information report. Fig. 21 is a sample score grid printout. Fig. 22 is a sample end of shift exception report. An exception is a transaction that has been deleted or modified. Figs. 23 and 24 are a sample lane activity report, which lists the number of games, frames and minutes that were bowled on each lane. Fig. 25 is a sample payment report. Fig. 26 is a sample revenue report. In addition to the front desk and back office subsystems, one or more kiosks can be installed in the bowling center for automatic check-in/check-out and to allow bowlers to update their information in the master database. Data is entered or changed in the master database via the modular front desk, back office and kiosk application programs described above. The master database is redundant and can be stored in a host processor, with workstations connected to the host processor. The master database can be simultaneously stored on a workstation acting as a backup host in the event of a failure. Further, the host and workstations can be connected via a network, including a local area network. The entire system including the kiosks may also be configured as a client-server system connected by a network including a local area network. While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A system for controlling a plurality of games in a bowling establisliment, comprising: one or more lanes upon each of which a bowling game is adapted to be played by one or more players, each said lane having at one end thereof a foul line and at the other end a pin deck; means disposed proximate to each said pin deck for positioning one or more standing bowling pins and removing one or more bowling pins remaining in the vicinity of said pin deck in positions other than standing; means for maintaining and updating one or more scores of each of said players bowling on each said lane; a host machine having stored thereon a master database; one or more workstations connected to said host machine, at least one of said workstations being adapted to become a back-up host in the event said host machine is disabled and having stored thereon a duplicate copy of said master database; and means for controlling said positioning and removing means and said maintaining and updating means, wherein said control means is resident within said host machine and said back-up host and is adapted to be used by each said workstation in a network. 2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an operating system installed on said host machine and said back-up host; and a plurality of applications programs installed on said host machine and said back-up host, each said applications program having a plurality of modules each of which is adapted for use by each said workstation. 3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising means for updating data in each said module without regard to the particular module or application program employed for entry of said data. 4. The system according to claim 2, further comprising: entertainment means disposed proximate to said plurality of lanes; and modular means adapted to be resident within said host machine, said back-up host, or any one of said workstations for changing said applications programs according to a selected one of a plurality of different sets of rules. 5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of different sets of rules comprise the group consisting of accounting rules, handicapping rules, inventory rules, league rules, maintenance rules, merchandising rules, rental rules, scoring rules, usage rules, and combinations of any two or more thereof. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said modular means includes means for updating said master database and said duplicate copy of said master database regardless of the rules selected. 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein each said workstation has one or more printers connected thereto. 8. A client-server based system for controlling a plurality of games in a bowling establisliment which includes a plurality of lanes upon each of which a bowling game is adapted to be played by one or more players, each lane having at one end thereof a foul line and at the other end a pin deck, pin setter means, and scoring means, said system comprising: a server having resident therein an operating system and a plurality of applications programs; one or more workstations connected to said server through a local area network; a redundant database resident on said server and at least one of said one or more workstations; means for updating said redundant database; and means for controlling said pin setter means and said scoring means with said server or any one of said workstations connected to said server. 9. The system according to claim 8, further comprising modularized means for controlling said games independently with said server or any one of said workstations connected to said server. 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said modularized control means includes modules for accounting, handicapping, maintaining inventory, monitoring league play, lane maintenance, merchandising, rental, scoring, and lane usage. 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein each said module of said modularized control means includes a plurality of user selectable prompts. 12. A client-server based system for controlling a plurality of games in a bowling establishment, comprising: a server having resident therein an operating system and a plurality of applications programs; one or more workstations connected to said server through a local area network; one or more self-serve kiosks, each of which includes a computer connected to said server through said local area network; and modularized means for controlling said games interdependently with said server or any one of said workstations connected to said server. 13. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a redundant database stored on said server and at least one of said one or more workstations. 14. The system according to claim 13, including updating means for updating data input from said server, any one of said one or more workstations, or any one of said self-serve kiosks, displaying such updated data in each of said applications programs, storing said updated data in said redundant database, and operating said modularized control means in accordance with such updated data. 15. The system according to claim 14, further comprising security means adapted to be resident within said server or any one of said workstations for selectively preventing use of the system by unauthorized persons according to a selected one of a plurality of different levels of security. 16. A method of operating a bowling center management support system comprising the steps of: selecting front desk or back office functionality; viewing a default display screen for said selected functionality; selecting the task to be performed from among the available tasks represented by icons or tabs, and wherein said available tasks invoke modularized application programs; and executing said selected tasks by choosing from among user selectable prompts, wherein said user selectable prompts cause data to be stored in a master database and a redundant database and certain said tasks further cause signals to be transmitted which controls bowling center equipment. 17. A method of operating a self-serve kiosk in a bowling center management support system comprising the steps of: viewing a default display screen; selecting the task to be performed from among the available tasks represented by icons, and wherein said available tasks invoke modularized application programs; and executing said selected tasks by choosing from among user selectable prompts, wherein said user selectable prompts cause data to be stored in a master database and a redundant database.

Inventors: CURTIS STANLEY B, HENRY SCOTTLAN R, THORNE SHERRI L, CURTIS, STANLEY, B., HENRY, SCOTTLAN, R., THORNE, SHERRI, L.
Applicants: AMF BOWLING WORLDWIDE INC, AMF BOWLING WORLDWIDE INC.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: G06F17
IPC codes: A63D1, G06F19