Automatic Dart Scoring via Multi-Angle Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dartboards made of solid material require manual scoring, which is cumbersome, while electronic dartboards face issues such as lightweight plastic darts affecting accuracy and high costs due to complex embedding processes or safety concerns with lasers.
Innovation Solution
An automatic scoring dart target device featuring a solid material dart target with multiple image capturing units, a background shield, a lighting module, and a processor to calculate scores based on the landing coordinates of darts, allowing for accurate and efficient scoring without modifying the conventional dart or dartboard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If electronic dartboards with sensing elements are used, then automatic scoring is achieved, but the dart weight is reduced and control accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image capturing units to create optical copies of the dart target and dart positions, replacing the need for electronic sensing elements in the physical dartboard. This allows conventional darts to be used while achieving automatic scoring through image processing and coordinate analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic sensing system embedded in traditional electronic dartboards with an optical imaging system. Image capturing units photograph the dart target, and a processor analyzes the images to determine dart landing positions and calculate scores, eliminating the need for modified darts or embedded sensors.
2Extent of automation
If electronic dartboards with electromagnetic coils are used, then automatic scoring is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image capturing units to create optical copies of the dart target and dart positions, replacing the need for electronic sensing elements in the physical dartboard. This allows conventional darts to be used while achieving automatic scoring through image processing and coordinate analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the scoring function from the physical dartboard structure itself and relocates it to a separate processing system. The image capturing units and processor are positioned away from the dart target, analyzing images after darts land without requiring any modifications to the dartboard or darts.
3Extent of automation
If laser elements are installed in electronic dartboards, then automatic scoring is achieved, but safety risks and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image capturing units to create optical copies of the dart target and dart positions, replacing the need for electronic sensing elements in the physical dartboard. This allows conventional darts to be used while achieving automatic scoring through image processing and coordinate analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harmful effect of active electronic elements (lasers, electromagnetic fields) into a beneficial passive optical system. By using image capturing units that detect reflected or emitted light from conventional darts, the system achieves automatic scoring without introducing new safety hazards.
4Device complexity
If manual scoring is used with solid material dartboards, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and player convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-scoring by capturing images of the dart target after darts land and automatically processing these images to calculate scores. This eliminates the need for manual scoring while keeping the dartboard itself simple and unmodified.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic sensing system embedded in traditional electronic dartboards with an optical imaging system. Image capturing units photograph the dart target, and a processor analyzes the images to determine dart landing positions and calculate scores, eliminating the need for modified darts or embedded sensors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and automated scoring using conventional darts on a solid material dart target, improving player experience and reducing costs compared to electronic systems, while maintaining the feel and accuracy of traditional darts.
Implementation Method 1
a first image capturing unit and the dart target are installed on the same plane and the first image capturing unit faces toward the dart target to capture the first image
Implementation Method 2
the processor obtains a first coordinate, a second coordinate, and a third coordinate based on the locations of the dart in the first image, the second image, and the third image respectively
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic scoring dart target device and a method of using the same are provided. The device includes a dart target, a plurality of image capturing units, a background-shield and a processor. The dart target is made of solid material on which darts are shot. The image capturing units and the dart target are disposed on the same surface. The image capturing units respectively capture a plurality of images at intersecting directions. The background shield is disposed relative to the image capturing units so that the image capturing units can generate the background information. The processor calculates the scores based on the background information and locations of the dart in a selection of two images among the plurality of images individually captured by the corresponding plurality of image capturing units. Thus, the scores of landed darts can be automatically calculated when using the conventional dart target.