Source: https://insight.rpxcorp.com/pat/US8628428B2
Timestamp: 2019-12-12 16:39:10
Document Index: 543184575

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 202', 'art 204', 'art 206', 'art 208', 'art 210', 'art 212', 'art 202', 'art 204']

Patent US 8,628,428 B2
US 20140200088A1
Bowling process and system for providing pictorial representations of a score
US 9,457,261 B2
US 9,504,904 B2
US 10,130,866 B2
US 10,166,460 B2
Method of recording and playing baseball game showing each batter's last patch
US 20030060311A1
US 6,623,369 B1
US 6,353,726 B1
Consoles for playing and/or scoring games, internet access, and communication
US 20020147514A1
US 20020174207A1
US 6,493,598 B1
US 5,971,851 A
US 5,683,080 A
QUBICA S.P.A
Qubica S.r.l.
US 5,313,468 A
US 5,241,379 A
US 4,660,833 A
US 4,592,548 A
Russell K. Oldson
US 3,659,279 A
Fiber Controls Corporation Gastonia NC
US 2,781,898 A
Raymond A. Cote, John D. Desmond
Pit service signal alarm
US 2,937,370 A
Howard L. Dugan
View Dependent Claims (2, 96, 97)
a control unit that causes first, second, and third images to be displayed on a screen at a bowler bay, wherein;
View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 95)
57. The method according to claim 4, wherein the event signal comprises an error or fault signal and is generated by a pushbutton switch located at a bowlers'"'"' bay.
a control system structured and arranged to;
View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94)
61. The system according to claim 60, wherein the bowling establishment comprises a bowlers'"'"' bay.
62. The system according to claim 60, wherein the bowlers'"'"' bay is equipped with display means.
66. The system according to claim 63, wherein the signal generating device comprises a console, which is located at a bowlers'"'"' bay.
70. The system according to claim 60, wherein the signal generating device is located at a bowlers'"'"' bay.
83. The system according to claim 79, wherein a switch activated device at a bowlers'"'"' bay communicates with the local control unit.
According to prior art, bowling establishments comprise a plurality of lanes, each including a bowlers'"'"' bay equipped with suitable control means, in the form of a control panel or console, which can be operated by the players. Each bowling lane is also equipped with apparatus for setting up the pins at the end of the lane and returning the bowl to the players.
The bowling establishment 10 comprises a plurality of bowling lanes. More specifically, it comprises a plurality of lanes arranged in pairs of lanes placed side by side. FIG. 2 illustrates only a first and a second pair of lanes 12, 12b and 12c, 12d, respectively. It should be understood, however, that the alley may comprise a much higher number of lanes than is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The bowling establishment further comprises a bowlers'"'"' bay 14 located close to the end area 122 from where the bowl is rolled. The bowlers'"'"' bay is equipped with control means 15 to be operated by the bowlers and consisting of a control console 15. At the bowlers'"'"' bay there are also display means. The display means consist of a monitor or screen 18 mounted over the bowlers'"'"' bay in a raised position where it can be easily seen by the players. Under normal operating conditions, the screen 18 displays animations and scores connected with the game in progress.
The system also includes main control means 20, operated by the bowling establishment management from a main station, known as FRONT DESK, for controlling all the bowling lanes. The management'"'"'s control means comprise main processing means consisting, more specifically, according to this preferred embodiment, of a personal computer (PC) denoted generically by the number reference 21a, which runs a program that controls the machinery of the entire bowling establishment. The processing or control means 20 have suitable input means such as a keyboard 21b and a mouse 21c.
At the FRONT DESK there are also suitable display means, in the form of a screen 21d, which, under normal conditions, shows the operating state of the lanes.
Thus, the console for generating the event signal advantageously consists of the console 21b located at the main control station 20, that is to say, at the FRONT DESK controlling the bowling establishment and constitutes first signal generating means.
According to another advantageous aspect, second signal generating means are also provided, these consisting of the second console 15 located at the bowlers'"'"' bay.
According to another aspect, the signal generating means are also means equipped with a switch 22 that can be operated by a respective pushbutton and located at the bowlers'"'"' bay and, more specifically, on the bowl stand 13′.
This response signal constitutes at least one item of information or an action relating to the event. More specifically, the control means comprise a main control unit constituted by the main control unit 21a driven by a main program that manages all the events of the bowling establishment.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the screens 18 and consoles 15 of the bowlers'"'"' bays are connected to the main processing unit 21a by a respective unit 21′ for controlling respective lanes, in particular respective pairs of lanes, through suitable cables 1820 and 1520.
The interface units 2116 and the lane control unit 21′ are connected to the main computer 21a through an ethernet network which has connecting cables 2021 and which also connects the central control unit 24, described in more detail below.
The main processing unit 21a also has the mouse 21c and the keyboard 21d of the FRONT DESK connected to it through connections 21′c and 21′d or equivalent means.
The system control means also comprise a central event control unit 24, known as HOST, that communicates with the main processing unit 21a, in particular through a network connection 2421.
The switch 22 at the bowlers'"'"' bay 14 also communicates with the local control unit 26 through transmission cables 2226.
The means for emitting this signal, therefore, comprise the portable telephone 34 carried by the mechanic. The portable telephone 34 has an aerial 34a that communicates with an aerial of a transmission unit 24a which is connected to the central unit 24. In this particular instance, it is a cordless telephone whose base unit 24a is connected to the central unit 24 instead of being connected to an external telephone line.
This signal may be generated manually using the console 15 at the bowler'"'"'s bay, as shown by the block 105a within the block 104 in the chart of FIG. 3, or the console 21b at the front desk, as shown by the block 105b within the block 104 in the chart of FIG. 3, or automatically by the pin setting up machine 16, as shown by the block 105c within the block 104 in the chart of FIG. 3. In other terms, the fault may be reported by a player or by the manager or detected automatically by the pin setting up machine 16.
Once generated, the signal is sent by the console 15 at the bowlers'"'"' bay and by the console 21b at the front desk, to the main processing means 21a, and by the pin setting up machine 16 to the central control means 24.
After receiving the fault or error signal, the program in the main server 21a produces an event which causes an image to be displayed to indicate the presence of a fault, as illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown in the block 106, the screen 18 at the bowlers'"'"' bay now displays a fixed or animated image, as illustrated in FIG. 4, which includes at least one part 202 which informs the players that a fault has been detected and at least one part 204 which informs the players that the mechanic has been called.
As shown by the block 109, the system now starts counting the time taken by the mechanic to reach the machine or respond to the call. As indicated by the block 110, the system is set to standby, waiting to receive the mechanic'"'"'s response. Under these conditions, the management at the front desk 20 has the option, as shown by the block 112, of closing down the lane and, if necessary, transferring the players to another lane. This event is processed as shown by the next block 114.
According to another procedure, acknowledgement of receipt of the fault signal can be given by the management at the front desk using the main console 21b, as shown by the block 122 within the block 116.
In this situation, as shown by the block 124, the screen 18 at the bowlers'"'"' bay now displays a fixed or animated image, as illustrated in FIG. 5, which includes at least one part 206 which informs the players that the mechanic has arrived and at least one part 208 which informs the players that repairs are progress. Under these conditions, the management at the front desk 20 has the option, as shown by block 128, of closing down the lane and, if necessary, transferring the players to another lane. This event is processed as shown by the next block 130.
In yet another case, the repair work completed signal might also be given through the main console 21b, that is to say, automatically by the pin setting up machine 16, as shown by the blocks 138 and 140 within the block 132.
As shown by the block 142, the screen 18 at the bowlers'"'"' bay now displays a fixed or animated image which, as illustrated in FIG. 6, includes at least one part 210 which informs the players that repairs have been completed and at least one part 212 which might provide other information or, as in the case illustrated, thanks the players for waiting.
The block 148 indicates an action of cancelling the fault signal when the latter is given by mistake. The cancellation signal can be given using the pushbutton switch 23 (which in this case must be pressed and held down for some time), by a respective command from the console 21b at the front desk, by a phone call or by a signal generated automatically by the pin setting up machine, as shown, respectively, by the blocks 150, 152, 154 and 156 within the block 148. The cancellation signal then enters the block 144 to check whether the lane concerned is active or not.
As shown by the side branch of the flow chart of FIG. 3, the error or fault signal might also be generated by a pushbutton switch 22 located at the bowler'"'"'s bay and, more specifically, on the bowl stand, as shown by the block 160.
If both lanes are open, then the signal is processed and, as shown by the block 174, the system sends out a request to the front desk, through the screen 21d, and, if necessary to the mechanic, asking for confirmation as to which lane is affected by the fault event, as shown by the block 176.
This starts the procedure of acknowledgement and displaying a fixed or animated image on the screen 18 at the bowlers'"'"' bay, as shown by the block 188, this procedure being identical to the one represented by the block 124 of the main procedure. From this point on, the system proceeds in the manner described above.
This starts the procedure represented by the block 106 whereby the screen 18 at the bowlers'"'"' bay displays a fixed or animated image, as illustrated in FIG. 4, which includes at least one part 202 which informs the players that a fault has been detected and at least one part 204 which informs the players that the mechanic has been called.
This cancellation signal can be given using the pushbutton switch 23 (which in this case must be pressed and held down for some time), by a respective command from the console 21b at the front desk, by a phone call or by a signal generated automatically by the pin setting up machine, as shown, respectively, by the blocks 196, 198, 199 and 201 within the block 194. The cancellation signal then enters the block 144 to check whether the lane concerned is active or not.
The management program also comprises means or instructions by which the statistical data relating to the service call on the apparatus are stored and processed in such a way that they can be displayed, for example in a table 300 on the screen 21d and printed. The table, or other similar data display method, has one or more areas for describing the following fields: date of the event, in column 302; lane number, in column 304; type of game, in column 306; source of event or fault, in column 308; start of service operations, in column 310; time of mechanic'"'"'s arrival, in column 312; time taken by mechanic to respond, in column 314; time at which work was completed, in column 316, total down time, in column 318; total work time, in column 320; name of mechanic, in column 322, and comments, if any, in column 324.
Provision in the program is also made for means or instructions whereby the data are processed in the server 21a or, if necessary, in another processing unit of the system, the results displayed in a third table 303, or similar display method, including a row or area 332 showing the average response time of the mechanic, and a row or area 334 showing the average time worked by the mechanic.
For this purpose, it is specified that each lane console is equipped with customary, prior art means for emitting and transmitting a voice signal from the bowling centre'"'"'s FRONT DESK 20.
It is thus possible to promptly provide the players with direct information regarding, for example, how long the repairs will take or whether it will be possible to carry out the repairs within a reasonable interval of time. In the latter case, the players can therefore promptly decide to move to another free lane or to go to the cashier'"'"'s desk to pay for the games played so far. The risk of unnecessarily waiting for repairs to be carried out is thus significantly reduced.
In a preferred but non-restrictive manner, the computer program with the means or instructions for implementing the event management procedures described above resides principally in the central unit 21a. Secondary parts of the program or auxiliary programs forming part of the main program reside in the main control unit 24.
Vaioli, Roberto
340/323.B, 364410-411, 700/92, 358/93, 358/108, 434/249, 473/71
A63D 5/04 : Indicating devices
Current Assignee: Qubicaamf Europe S.P.A.
Sponsoring Entity: Qubicaamf Europe S.P.A.