Dartboard scoring system
First Claim
1. A method of automatically scoring a dart game, comprising:
- capturing reference images using multiple cameras positioned around a dartboard that defines multiple scoring regions, each scoring region having a corresponding score associated with it, wherein the multiple cameras are controlled by an image acquisition module to capture the reference images before a dart hits the dartboard, wherein the reference images are stored in a memory, wherein the multiple cameras are positioned to each capture a field of view that is substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the board and extends across the front surface of the dartboard;
detecting that a dart has been thrown using a sensor adjacent the dartboard;
capturing scoring images from each of the multiple cameras after a dart has been thrown, wherein the image acquisition module is triggered to capture the scoring images by the sensor;
subtracting the reference images from the scoring images to determine a field of view location of the dart within each cameras'"'"' field of view using an image manipulation module;
triangulating a position of the dart on the front surface of the dartboard and the corresponding scoring region the dart using the field of view location of the dart using a mathematics module;
applying one or more scoring rules to determine a score value for the dart based on the scoring region the dart is in and the one or more scoring rules using the mathematics module;
updating the score of the dart game using the mathematics module based on the one or more scoring rules and the score value; and
displaying the updated score on a display device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for scoring darts that includes multiple cameras placed substantially parallel to the surface of a dartboard. With a field of view extending across the board, the cameras can be configured to capture images of darts projecting outwardly from the board as they are thrown, and the system can use this image data to calculate the location of each dart, and the corresponding score. Various algorithms may be used to orient the system and calibrate the system to account for irregularities in the images captured by the cameras to accurately determine the location. Proper scoring may be achieved for a variety of dartboards with different patterns of scoring regions based on game rules and corresponding board configurations maintained by the system.
148 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of automatically scoring a dart game, comprising:
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capturing reference images using multiple cameras positioned around a dartboard that defines multiple scoring regions, each scoring region having a corresponding score associated with it, wherein the multiple cameras are controlled by an image acquisition module to capture the reference images before a dart hits the dartboard, wherein the reference images are stored in a memory, wherein the multiple cameras are positioned to each capture a field of view that is substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the board and extends across the front surface of the dartboard; detecting that a dart has been thrown using a sensor adjacent the dartboard; capturing scoring images from each of the multiple cameras after a dart has been thrown, wherein the image acquisition module is triggered to capture the scoring images by the sensor; subtracting the reference images from the scoring images to determine a field of view location of the dart within each cameras'"'"' field of view using an image manipulation module; triangulating a position of the dart on the front surface of the dartboard and the corresponding scoring region the dart using the field of view location of the dart using a mathematics module; applying one or more scoring rules to determine a score value for the dart based on the scoring region the dart is in and the one or more scoring rules using the mathematics module; updating the score of the dart game using the mathematics module based on the one or more scoring rules and the score value; and displaying the updated score on a display device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of automatically scoring a dart game, comprising:
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using a first camera with a first field of view to capture a first reference image, and a second camera with a second field of view to capture a second reference image, wherein the first and second cameras are responsive to a controller, wherein the first field of view is different from the second, and wherein the first and second fields of view are substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the board and extend across a front surface of a dartboard; capturing a first dart image using the first camera, and a second dart image using the second camera when the controller determines that a dart has been thrown; subtracting the first reference image from the first dart image, and the second reference image from the second dart image using the controller to determine image data indicating a location of the dart in the first and second images; calculating a first angle between the dart and the first camera using the controller and the first image data, and a second angle between the dart and the second camera using the controller and the second image data; calculating a distance to the dart from a predetermined reference point, and an angular offset of the dart relative to the reference point using the controller and the first and second angles; triangulating a position of the dart on the dartboard using the controller based on the reference distance and the angular offset; using the controller to determine a score value associated with the position of the dart on the dartboard; using the controller to adjust a score for the dart game based on the score value; and displaying the updated score on a display device using the controller. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification