Object sensor for detecting characteristics such as color for games

• US 4,956,775 A
• Filed: 10/01/1985
• Issued: 09/11/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Beatriz E. Pardo, David I. Lappen, Reuben B. Klamer, William A. Lappen
• Original Assignee: Beatriz E. Pardo, David I. Lappen, Reuben B. Klamer, William A. Lappen
• Inventors: Klamer, Reuben B., Pardo, Beatriz E., Lappen, David I., Lappen, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harkcom, Gary V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Merecki, John A.
• Application Number:
  US06/782,557
• Time in Patent Office: 1,806 Days
• Field of Search: 364/400, 364/410-412, 364/513, 364/525-526, 364/555, 364/575, 273/1 R, 273/1 E, 273/1 ES, 273/1.5 R, 273/1.5 A, 273/371-374, 273/410, 273/DIG. 28, 273/118 A
• US Class Current: 473/480
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/28 Indicating playing time

Abstract

An object sensor (or event detector) apparatus detects distinctive characteristics (such as color) of otherwise physically similar objects. Respective indices or counters are incremented in response to the various detections. The event detector (object sensor) may take various forms such as a conveyor belt production monitor, but is especially useful as an electronic scorekeeper for a competitive game which simultaneously keeps score for two or more different players by distinguishing between the different colors (or other characteristics) of balls or other objects each player uses to play a given game. A solitary mode also keeps score for a single player within a given time period. In this selectable alternative mode, the event detector apparatus records accumulated points and displays the time remaining in a given time period which defines a game time period.

Claims

1. Game apparatus for use in a game providing automatic scoring comprising:

a plurality of game balls each being of a particular color,

means defining a single scoring area for said game when one of said plurality of game balls is found within said scoring area;

a sensor for sensing the presence of one of said balls in the single scoring area and producing a scoring event signal , said sensor including light means for illuminating the one of said game balls in the signal scoring area responsive to said scoring event signal and photoelectric means for receiving light reflected by the one of said game balls in said scoring area, and for providing a plurality of sensor output signals indicative of the reflectivity of the one of said game balls and for averaging the plurality of signals to determine reflectivity in order to reduce errors, with which reflectivity of said one of said game balls said sensor identifies said particular one of said game balls by its color, said sensor including delay means for delaying the beginning of sensor signals indicating reflectivity and lengthening the shortest time within which two consecutive scoring event signals can be generated, thereby assuring that noise signals are not sensed as a scoring event and no single game ball is sensed as multiple game balls; and

a score-keeping means having display means for a plurality of a scores for automatically monitoring said sensor output signals and incrementing a score on said display means corresponding to a particular game ball detected in said scoring area.

2. A sensor as in claim 1 wherein said shortest time is at least 200 milliseconds.

3. A gate scorekeeping apparatus for use in automatically scoring a game, comprising:

a net area which defines a scoring area for said game when one of a plurality of game balls is found within said net area;

a sensor for sensing the presence of said balls in said net area and outputting a signal indicative thereof;

timer means for selectively providing a time period defining the playing time of said game;

scorekeeping means, including at least two outputs, for automatically monitoring said sensor output signals and said balls and recording scores thereof, said scorekeeping means having at least two modes of operation;

a competitive mode during which said distinctive balls are uniquely identified as their presence is sensed in said net area, and scores thereby are respectively posted on said two outputs, which two outputs are uniquely associated with said balls, and

a solitaire mode during which any score effected by any of said balls is cumulatively registered on one of said outputs while the other of said outputs indicates the time remaining in said time period provided by said timer means;

switch means for selecting one of said competitive and solitaire modes; and

reset means for restarting said timer means to begin one of said time periods, during which said scorekeeping means automatically records game ball scoring in accordance with the selection of said modes by said switch means.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said game is basketball and said net area is a basketball hoop.

5. An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said scorekeeping means includes a microprocessor programmed to selectively operate in accordance with said competitive and solitaire modes.

6. An apparatus for automatically scoring a game played with a plurality of balls having substantially the same physical dimensions, but at least one distinctive trait each, comprising:

sensing means for sensing whenever a ball is in scoring position;

first indicator means for indicating scores as sensed by said sensing means;

timer means for resettable timing a time period defining playing time for said game;

reset means for resetting said timer means so as to initialize said timer means;

second indicator means, responsive to said timer means, for displaying time remaining in said time period;

controller means for selectively suspending operation of said first and second indicator means and establishing alternative functions therefor in a defined alternative operation mode of said apparatus;

said apparatus further including identifying means for uniquely identifying said balls based on their distinctive traits whenever said alternative mode is selected, and respective scoring means for causing during said alternative mode said controller means to establish alternative function of said first and second indicator means such that said indicator means are automatically and respectively responsive to said identifying means so as to respectively record scores by at least two of said balls;

said apparatus further including a selector means for placing said controller in said alternative mode defined as a competitive play mode, or holding said controller in its primary mode defined as a solitaire play mode, wherein during said solitaire play mode said apparatus cumulatively tallies scores by any of said balls on said first indicator means while displaying remaining time in a game on said second indicator means, while during said competitive play mode said apparatus respectively tallies on said first and second indicator means cumulative scores made by at least two of said balls.