Method and a system for managing at least one event in a bowling establishment

US 20050089153A1
Filed: 06/17/2004
Published: 04/28/2005
Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. A method for managing at least one event in a bowling establishment or similar facility, the bowling establishment comprising at least one lane (12) along which a bowl (13) is rolled and an apparatus (16) for setting up the pins (P) and returning the bowl (13);

the method comprising a step of generating a signal relating to the event and being characterised in that the event produces a call for service condition.

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Abstract

Described is a system for managing at least one event in a bowling establishment or similar facility (10). The bowling establishment includes at least one lane (12) along which a bowl (13) is rolled and an apparatus (16) for setting up the pins (P) and returning the bowl (13). The system further includes elements for generating a signal relating to an event, the event advantageously producing a condition calling for service to be carried out on the pin setting up apparatus.

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101 Claims

1. A method for managing at least one event in a bowling establishment or similar facility, the bowling establishment comprising at least one lane (12) along which a bowl (13) is rolled and an apparatus (16) for setting up the pins (P) and returning the bowl (13);
- the method comprising a step of generating a signal relating to the event and being characterised in that the event produces a call for service condition.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101)
- - 2. The method according to claim 1 , characterised in that the event consists of a fault or error.
  - 3. The method according to claim 2, characterised in that the error is a fault in the pin setting up apparatus.
  - 4. The method according to claim 2 , characterised in that the error is a fault that has occurred on the bowling lane.
  - 5. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the event signal is a notification signal transmitted automatically.
  - 6. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the event signal is a notification signal transmitted to the operator.
  - 7. The method according to any of the foregoing claims or according to claim 1, characterised in that the event consists of the cancellation of the error or fault.
  - 8. The method according to claim 7, characterised in that the cancellation event is generated after the fault indication event.
  - 9. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the event is a signal acknowledging receipt of the call or notification.
  - 10. The method according to claim 9, characterised in that the receipt acknowledgement signal is emitted following an operation performed by the maintenance operator.
  - 11. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the event consists of a signal indicating that work to remedy the error or fault has begun.
  - 12. The method according to claim 11, characterised in that the event signal indicating commencement of work is generated after the fault indication event.
  - 13. The method according to claim 11 , characterised in that the event signal indicating commencement of work is generated after the fault indication event, when the operator reaches the area where the fault has occurred and begins working on the solution to the problem.
  - 14. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the event consists of a signal indicating that work to remedy the error or fault has been completed.
  - 15. The method according to claim 14, characterised in that the event signal indicating completion of work is generated after the commencement of work event.
  - 16. The method according to claim 14 , characterised in that the event signal indicating completion of work is generated when the operator has terminated the procedure to solve the problem.
  - 17. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the event consists of the closure of the lane where the fault has been detected.
  - 18. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the event signal permits identification of the source that generated the signal.
  - 19. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the event signal permits identification of the type of event detected.
  - 20. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the event signal permits identification of the area where the fault has occurred.
  - 21. The method according to claim 20, characterised in that the event signal permits identification of the part of the pin setting up machine where the fault has occurred.
  - 22. The method according to claim 21, characterised in that the event signal indicates whether the part of the machine requiring service is the front of the machine.
  - 23. The method according to claim 21 , characterised in that the event signal indicates whether the part of the machine requiring service is the back of the machine.
  - 24. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the event signal is generated by a manual operation.
  - 25. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the event signal is generated automatically.
  - 26. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a step of generating a signal for encoding a signal or an action in response to the event signal.
  - 27. The method according to claim 26, characterised in that the response signal constitutes at least one piece of information relating to the event.
  - 28. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a step of emitting a signal relating to the event.
  - 29. The method according to claim 28, characterised in that the emission of the signal is performed by light emitting means (28) located at the bowling lane (12).
  - 30. The method according to claim 28 , characterised in that the signal is emitted in the form of a sound signal.
  - 31. The method according to claim 28, characterised in that the signal is emitted in the form of a video signal.
  - 32. The method according to claim 31, characterised in that the signal is emitted by the screen (18) located at the bowling lanes.
  - 33. The method according to claim 28, characterised in that the signal is emitted in the form of a telephone signal.
  - 34. The method according to claim 28, characterised in that the response signal defines a notification.
  - 35. The method according to claim 34, characterised in that the notification signal comprises at least one piece of information relating to the event.
  - 36. The method according to claim 35, characterised in that the information relating to the event defines a notification of a fault.
  - 37. The method according to claim 36, characterised in that the fault notification defines the type of fault.
  - 38. The method according to claim 36 , characterised in that the fault notification defines the area where the fault has occurred.
  - 39. The method according to claim 35, characterised in that the fault notification defines the part of the pin setting up apparatus that requires service.
  - 40. The method according to claim 39, characterised in that the fault notification defines whether the part requiring service is accessible from the front or from the back of the machine.
  - 41. The method according to claim 35, characterised in that the notification signal constitutes information that the operator has been called.
  - 42. The method according to claim 35, characterised in that the notification signal constitutes information that repair work has commenced.
  - 43. The method according to claim 35, characterised in that the notification signal constitutes information that repair work has been completed.
  - 44. The method according to claim 35, characterised in that the notification signal constitutes information that the bowling lane is closed.
  - 45. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a step of counting the time taken by the operator to perform an operation.
  - 46. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that an image is displayed to provide information that a fault has been detected.
  - 47. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that an image is displayed to provide information that the mechanic has been notified.
  - 48. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that an image is displayed to provide information that the mechanic has arrived.
  - 49. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that an image is displayed to provide information that repair work is in progress.
  - 50. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the repair work completed signal is generated by the mechanic pressing the pushbutton switch (23) on the pin setting up machine (16).
  - 51. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the repair work completed signal is given by telephone.
  - 52. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the repair work completed signal is given through the main console (21b).
  - 53. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the repair work completed signal is generated automatically by the pin setting up machine (16).
  - 54. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that an image is displayed to provide information that repair work has been completed successfully.
  - 55. The method according to claim 43, characterised in that the repair work completed signal is processed by a routine (144) that checks whether the bowling lane concerned may be considered open or closed.
  - 56. The method according to claim 2, characterised in that the error or fault signal can be generated by a pushbutton switch (22) located at the bowlers'"'"' bay.
  - 57. The method according to claim 2, characterised in that the fault event signal is first tested to check whether the lane is actually open.
  - 58. The method according to claim 56, characterised in that the fault event signal is tested to check whether the pushbutton (22) that generates the event signal is enabled.
  - 59. (currently amended) The method according to claim 1, characterised in that statistical data relating to servicing of the bowling establishment lanes and apparatus are collected, stored and displayed.
  - 60. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that data relating to machine down time are processed.
  - 61. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the average response time of the operator is measured.
  - 62. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the average work time of the operator is measured.
  - 63. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the maintenance and repair operator communicates directly with the players at the bowling lane.
  - 64. A system for managing at least one event in a bowling establishment or similar facility;
    - in particular for implementing the method according to any of the foregoing claims;
      
      the bowling establishment comprising at least one lane (12) along which a bowl (13) is rolled and an apparatus (16) for setting up the pins (P) and returning the bowl (13);
      
      the system being characterised in that it comprises means for generating a signal relating to the event.
  - 65. The system according to claim 64 , characterised in that the bowling establishment comprises a bowlers'"'"' bay (14).
  - 66. The system according to claim 64, characterised in that the bowlers'"'"' bay is equipped with display means (18).
  - 67. The system according to claim 64, characterised in that the signal generating means are means that can be activated manually.
  - 68. The system according to claim 67, characterised in that the signal generating means consist of a control console (21b, 15).
  - 69. The system according to claim 67 , characterised in that the signal generating means comprise the console (21b), which is located at the front desk (20) of the bowling centre.
  - 70. The system according to claim 67, characterised in that the signal generating means comprise the console (15), which is located at the bowlers'"'"' bay.
  - 71. The system according to claim 64, characterised in that the signal generating means are means that generate the event signal automatically.
  - 72. The system according to claim 71, characterised in that the signal generating means consist of means (17) for controlling the pin setting up apparatus.
  - 73. The system according to claim 64, characterised in that the signal generating means are means that can be activated by a switch.
  - 74. The system according to claim 64, characterised in that the signal generating means are located at the pin setting up apparatus.
  - 75. The system according to claim 64, characterised in that the signal generating means (22) are located at the bowlers'"'"' bay.
  - 76. The system according to claim 64, characterised in that the signal generating means comprise a phone set.
  - 77. The system according to claim 76, characterised in that the phone set is a portable telephone (34).
  - 78. The system according to claim 76 , characterised in that the phone set is a fixed telephone (36).
  - 79. The system according to claim 64, characterised in that it comprises control means that generate a signal for encoding a signal or an action in response to the event signal.
  - 80. The system according to claim 79, characterised in that the response signal constitutes at least one piece of information relating to the event.
  - 81. The system according to claim 79 , characterised in that the control means comprise a main control unit (21a).
  - 82. The system according to claim 79, characterised in that the control means comprise a central unit (24) for controlling the events.
  - 83. The system according to claim 82, characterised in that the central event control unit (24) communicates with the main unit (21a).
  - 84. The system according to claim 79, characterised in that the control means comprise a local control unit (26).
  - 85. The system according to claim 84, characterised in that the local unit (26) communicates with the central unit (24).
  - 86. The system according to claim 84 , characterised in that the switch activated means (23) at the pin setting up machine (16) communicate with the local control unit (26).
  - 87. The system according to claim 84, characterised in that the switch activated or control means (17) at the pin setting up machine (16) communicate with the local control unit (26).
  - 88. The system according to claim 84, characterised in that the switch activated means (22) at the bowlers'"'"' bay (14) communicate with the local control unit (26).
  - 89. The system according to claim 64, characterised in that it comprises means for emitting a signal relating to the event.
  - 90. The system according to claim 89, characterised in that the signal emitting means comprise light emitting means (28) located at the bowling lane (12).
  - 91. The system according to claim 89 , characterised in that the light emitting means (28) are connected to the local control unit (26).
  - 92. The system according to claim 88, characterised in that the signal is emitted in the form of a sound signal.
  - 93. The system according to claim 88, characterised in that the signal is emitted in the form of a video signal.
  - 94. The system according to claim 93, characterised in that the signal is emitted by the screen (18) at the bowling lanes.
  - 95. The system according to claim 88, characterised in that the signal is emitted in the form of a telephone signal.
  - 96. The system according to claim 94, characterised in that the signal emitting means comprise a portable telephone (34).
  - 97. The system according to claim 64, characterised in that the telephone (34) communicates with the central unit (24).
  - 98. The system according to claim 88, characterised in that the telephone signal emitting means comprise a telephone (36) connected by cable (3624) to the central unit (24).
  - 99. The system according to claim 64, characterised in that a repair work successfully completed signal is generated automatically by the pin setting up machine (16).
  - 100. A computer program comprising means or instructions for implementing any one of the procedures run by the system according to claim 64.
  - 101. A computer medium having stored on it a computer program for implementing any one of the procedures run by the system according to claim 64.

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Current Assignee
Qubicaamf Europe S.P.A. (QubicaAMF Worldwide LLC)
Original Assignee
Qubica
Inventors
Vaioli, Roberto

Granted Patent

US 8,628,428 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

379/171
CPC Class Codes

A63D 5/04 Indicating devices

Method and a system for managing at least one event in a bowling establishment

First Claim

2 Assignments

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Accused Products

Abstract

42 Citations

101 Claims

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Method and a system for managing at least one event in a bowling establishment

First Claim

2 Assignments

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0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

42 Citations

101 Claims

Specification

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