Game apparatus where darts are thrown into a projected video game image and software conducts the game progress by locating the darts with digital cameras

Abstract

This invention describes an electronic amusement game where sensors locate the position of darts thrown by participants into a target board. The target board is not a traditional dart board but an uncolored dart board onto which is projected game images by a front projection monitor. The game locates the darts through the use of digital cameras that capture 2 dimensional images of the dart's profile to establish coordinates. The software conducts game progress by incorporating the thrown dart's position into the game itself. Any manner of game can be projected, including traditional dart games.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX [0003] Not applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Their exists the need for a non-traditional dart game where the playing surface can be changed into many different game scenarios and for such a game to be automatically scored by electronic sensors. Below is discussed patents that use means, other than the method described in this invention, to locate objects in a field. [0005] The main method other inventions use to determine the presence and position of objects in a field is light beams. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,807,858 4,097,800 and 2,630,222 disclose methods to detect the presence of objects moving through a field. More relative to the game of darts are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,762,990 5,565,686 and 6,147,759 which determine not only presence but locat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"This patent describes an electronic game where darts are thrown at a target board and sensors locate their position using cameras and software. The game can be played using traditional dart games or any other game that can be projected onto the target board. The system uses the shape of the dart to locate its entry point on the surface, overcoming limitations of previous systems. The game can be played on a flexible pattern of targets, unlike other systems."

Problems solved by technology

The drawback of this method is that it assumes the dart is exactly perpendicular to the board surface.

But the wires are of such thickness that they bend readily, and a dart thrown with sufficient force can penetrate the board directly beneath a wire, simply bending it out the way.

The manufacture of such a board would be difficult, if not impossible.

And embedding the wires would cause many more darts to bounce out of the board when hitting a wire.

These methods can lead to high error rate.

Similarly, ink or any electrically resistive substance will incur gradual wear and tear and must be periodically repaired.

In addition to these problems, neither of these methods can be used in non traditional dart games where the game targets must be flexibly changed by the software.

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