Mobile Bowling Scoring Control via Wireless Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic scoring systems in bowling centers require physical presence at a console for operation and configuration, leading to loss of bowler preferences and statistics across visits and between centers, as they are tied to the location rather than the individual bowler.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a mobile device with the automatic scoring system, allowing users to interact via a mobile application that sends lane control commands to a server for authorization and control of scoring, pinsetter, and front desk functions over cellular or wireless networks, enabling remote operation and data synchronization across multiple centers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical presence at the console is required for operation, then system control is secure and direct, but accessibility and convenience are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility to scoring systemVSAvoidSystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the bowler and the scoring system console. The mobile device communicates wirelessly with the console, allowing bowlers to control the scoring system without physical presence at the console. This intermediary approach maintains system security while dramatically improving accessibility and convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the scoring system is tied to the bowling center, then local control is straightforward, but data portability and personalization across centers are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveData portability across centersVSAvoidBowler preferences and statistics
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a bowler profile system that stores bowler preferences, statistics, and customization data in a portable format accessible across multiple bowling centers. The mobile device retrieves and applies these copied profile data at different centers, ensuring that bowler information travels with the bowler rather than remaining fixed at any single center.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If console access is required for configuration, then system security is maintained, but user autonomy and convenience are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRemote configuration capabilityVSAvoidSystem control security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device serves as a secure intermediary that maintains system control through authenticated wireless communication. The system verifies the mobile device's authorization before allowing configuration commands, maintaining security while enabling remote operation. This approach gives users autonomy to configure the system from anywhere without compromising system integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3412348B1Mobile scoring system control
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 BRUNSWICK BOWLING PRODUCTS LLC
  • EP3412348B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3412348B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3412348B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to mobile control of one or more systems in a bowling center. In one implementation, a mobile device is integrated with a bowling center automatic scoring system. More precisely, it relates to a method comprising: - receiving (S101) at a server a lane control command originating with a mobile device; - determining or identifying (S103) a bowling lane associated with the mobile device; - sending (S105) a response including data indicative of the bowling lane and the lane control command to an automatic scoring system; and - executing the lane control command at the automatic scoring system.