Online Dart Competition System Using Mobile Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic dart game machine consoles are expensive, large, and primarily located in public places, limiting remote and global dart competitions, as they require specific setup and cannot be easily used by consumers at home.
Innovation Solution
An online dart competition system utilizing two mobile devices with image capturing modules, a mirror for redirecting dartboard images, a score input element, and a wireless transmission module to enable remote participation and scoring, allowing players to compete globally without the need for expensive equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic dart game machine consoles are used to enable remote dart competitions, then players can compete remotely through network connection, but the equipment cost and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the remote competition functionality into separate components: a simple local device (mobile phone or camera) for capturing images, and a server for handling match management and image processing. This segmentation allows players to use inexpensive personal devices rather than requiring expensive dedicated dart game consoles at every location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between players' local devices. The server receives images from players' devices, processes them to determine scores, and manages the match logic. This intermediary approach enables remote competition using simple personal devices while centralizing the complex processing functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two cameras are arranged on the electronic dart game machine console to capture player and dartboard images, then remote transmission of game process is achieved, but the device becomes expensive and difficult to place at home
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal multi-functional devices (mobile phones or cameras) that players already possess for capturing both player images and dartboard images. Instead of requiring specialized dart game console cameras, the patent leverages the existing imaging capabilities of common personal devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Players use their own personal devices (mobile phones or cameras) to capture images, eliminating the need for the system provider to supply expensive specialized equipment. Each player's device serves its own imaging needs, and the server handles the coordination and processing.
3Device complexity
If a mobile device is positioned to capture both player and dartboard images, then the device cannot simultaneously capture both when not aligned on one straight line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent solves the alignment problem by capturing images from different spatial dimensions and angles. The player image is captured from one angle while the dartboard image is captured from a different angle, allowing both images to be obtained without requiring perfect linear alignment between player, device, and dartboard.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures multiple images including reference images of the dartboard before the actual game throws. These preliminary reference images are used to establish the dartboard's position and orientation, which then guides the selection and processing of subsequent game images, ensuring accurate score determination even with varying angles.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile device captures dartboard images at various angles, then alignment with the dartboard becomes difficult, but the device can still identify hit points through image processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses reference images of the dartboard captured at known positions and orientations as a basis for comparison. When game images are captured at various angles, the system compares these against the reference images to identify the dartboard's current position and orientation, then uses this feedback to accurately determine hit points despite the angle variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy or model of the dartboard from reference images, storing the standard layout and markings. This digital copy serves as a template against which actual game images are compared, allowing the system to identify hit points accurately even when the captured images are taken from different angles or positions.
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 global dart competitions using traditional dartboards, allowing players to compete remotely with split-screen interfaces displaying player and competitor images and scores, reducing costs and equipment requirements, and accommodating various mobile device configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror, arranged in front of or beside the mobile device and configured to reflect or redirect a dartboard image of a dartboard
Data Source
AI summary
An online dart competition system including at least two mobile devices having a first and a second image capturing module, configured to capture an dart player image and a dartboard image, respectively; a mirror to reflect/redirect the dartboard image; a wireless transmission module, configured to transmit a score, the dart player image, and the dartboard image to the other mobile device and to receive a score, image, and a dartboard image of a competitor from the other mobile device; and a processor. The processor executes an application and displays the scores and at least two images of the dart player image, the dartboard image, the competitor image, and the competitor dartboard image on a display in a split-screen interface. Thus, the at least two images may be viewed by players during the online competition.