Hybrid Pin Fall Detection for String Bowling Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pin fall detection systems in bowling machines, such as string machines, suffer from inaccuracies due to issues like pin dynamics, string pulling ambiguities, and environmental illumination variations, leading to incorrect pin fall detection.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid pin fall detection mechanism combining a vision system and a machine pin-string sliding detection system, such as encoders, to accurately determine which pins have fallen by leveraging the strengths of both systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a string pulling detection system is used to detect fallen pins, then the detection mechanism is simple, but the detection accuracy deteriorates due to ambiguous string pulling situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different detection systems: a string pulling detection system (encoder-based) and a vision system (camera-based). By merging these systems, the patent leverages the simplicity of string detection while compensating for its ambiguities with visual confirmation, thereby improving overall detection accuracy without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vision system acts as an intermediary that provides contextual information about pin positions and movements. When the string detection system identifies ambiguous situations (such as pins pushed in the gutter or pins that appear to fall but remain standing), the vision system provides additional data to resolve these ambiguities, mediating between the simple string detection and the need for accurate pin fall determination.
2Loss of information
If a vision system is used to detect fallen pins, then the detection can visualize pin positions, but the detection accuracy deteriorates due to hidden pins and variable illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vision system with the string pulling detection system. The vision system provides visual information about pin positions and movements, while the string pulling system provides mechanical confirmation. This combination compensates for the vision system's weaknesses (hidden pins, illumination variations) by cross-validating with the string detection data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from both detection systems to continuously refine pin fall determination. The vision system provides ongoing visual data about pin positions, while the string detection system provides feedback about mechanical movements. This feedback loop allows the system to resolve ambiguities and improve detection accuracy over time.
3Device complexity
If only string pulling detection is used, then the system is mechanically simple, but it fails to detect pins pushed in the gutter or pins that appear to fall but remain standing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical string pulling detection with optical vision detection. This merging creates a more reliable system where the string detection identifies potential pin falls while the vision system confirms the actual pin position and movement, thereby improving reliability without excessive mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vision system serves as an intermediary that validates the string detection results. When the string detection system identifies a pin fall, the vision system provides visual confirmation to ensure the pin actually fell and wasn't merely pushed or positioned ambiguously, thereby improving reliability without adding complex mechanical components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a string bowling machine and, more particularly, to a string bowling machine provided with a hybrid pin fall detection mechanism for detecting fallen pins after ball impact. The pin fall detection system includes: a vision system positioned to detect a fallen pin; and a machine pin-string sliding detection system to detect movement of individual strings attached to individual pins and which is used in tandem with the vision system to accurately determine which pins of the individual pins have fallen after a throw of a bowling ball.