Target apparatus and methods for playing new target games

• US 6,135,456 A
• Filed: 03/24/1999
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen R. Cooper
• Original Assignee: Stephen R. Cooper
• Inventors: Cooper, Stephen R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Aryanpour, Mitra
• Application Number:
  US09/275,607
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 473/459, 473/467-469, 473/131, 473/219-225, 473/407, 473/409, 463/4, 463/5, 434/11, 434/16, 434/19, 434/21-23, 273/371-376
• US Class Current: 273/371
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/004 Multiple detectors or sensors each defining a different zone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0043 Systems for locating the point of impact on a specific surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 61/003 Nets for tennis or like games or accessories therefor straining or adjusting devices on the posts A63B61/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/38 for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices

Abstract

A target apparatus for use in playing new target games comprises a frame within which one or more of a plurality of target zones may be visually designated, with the location of the visually designated target zone(s) changing over time in accordance with a predetermined pattern. Methods for utilizing the apparatus to play new target games are also described. Rules for three new target games (entitled SINGLES TARGET TENNIS, DOUBLES TARGET TENNIS and TEAM TARGET TENNIS) are disclosed in detail, although the apparatus may also be used to play additional target games. Electronic versions of the new target games are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A target apparatus comprising:

(a) a frame comprised of two pairs of opposing wall elements, the wall elements of the first said pair being oriented in parallel spaced relation with one another and the wall elements of the second said pair being oriented in parallel spaced relation with one another, each wall element of the second said pair being oriented perpendicularly to the wall elements of the first said pair to define a target area within said frame,

(b) means for physically subdividing said target area into a plurality of target zones,

(c) means for enabling selective visual differentiation by a user of said apparatus of each one of said target zones from the remainder of said target zones, said visual differentiation enabling means comprising selectively illuminateable regions of said subdividing means,

(d) means for detecting the repetitive transverse passage through said target area from one side of said frame to the other of at least one moving object, for each such passage said detection means being capable of determining, and having output means for generating signals specifying, the direction in which said at least one object passes through said target area and the location of the particular target zone through which said at least one object passes, and

(e) a programmable digital electronic apparatus comprising (i) digital storage means, (ii) output means comprising at least one display and further comprising means for selectively activating said visual differentiation enabling means so as to visually designate to said user at least one of said target zones, (iii) input means comprising means for receiving and processing signals from said detection means, and (iv) digital programming means capable of controlling said selective activation means in order to designate visually at least one of said target zones for a predetermined period of time and to vary the location of said at least one visually designated target zone, said digital programming means being further capable of (1) repetitively comparing the signals controlling said selective activation means with the signals received from said detection means so as to determine for each such passage whether or not said at least one object passes through said target area within said at least one visually designated target zone, (2) tallying the successive passages of said at least one object through the target area from one side of said frame to the other in at least one direction, and computing at least one score based thereon in accordance with a set of predetermined rules stored in said storage means, said at least one score being based primarily upon the respective locations of the target zones through which said at least one object successively passes, and (3) depicting said at least one score on said at least one display.

2. An apparatus for play of a target game by at least one player, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a frame comprised of two pairs of opposing wall elements, the wall elements of the first said pair being oriented in parallel spaced relation with one another and the wall elements of the second said pair being oriented in parallel spaced relation with one another, each wall element of the second said pair being oriented perpendicularly to the wall elements of the first said pair to define a target area within said frame,

(b) means for physically subdividing said target area into a plurality of target zones,

(c) means for enabling selective visual differentiation by said at least one player of each one of said target zones from the remainder of said target zones, said visual differentiation enabling means comprising selectively illuminateable regions of said subdividing means,

(d) means for detecting the repetitive transverse passage through said target area from one side of said frame to the other of at least one moving object, for each such passage said detection means being capable of determining, and having output means for generating signals specifying, the direction in which said at least one object passes through said target area and the location of the particular target zone through which said at least one object passes,

(e) means to enable said at least one player to propel said at least one object toward said frame in a repetitive fashion, and

(f) a programmable digital electronic apparatus comprising (i) digital storage means, (ii) output means comprising at least one display and further comprising means for selectively activating said visual differentiation enabling means so as to visually designate to said at least one player at least one of said target zones, (iii) input means comprising means for receiving and processing signals from said detection means, and (iv) digital programming means capable of controlling said selective activation means in order to designate visually at least one of said target zones for a predetermined period of time and to vary the location of said at least one visually designated target zone, said digital programming means being further capable of (1) repetitively comparing the signals controlling said selective activation means with the signals received from said detection means so as to determine for each such passage whether or not said at least one object passes through said target area within said at least one visually designated target zone, (2) tallying the successive passages of said at least one object through the target area from one side of said frame to the other in at least one direction in response to propulsion of said at least one object by said at least one player, and computing a score for said at least one player based thereon in accordance with a set of predetermined rules stored in said storage means, said score being based primarily upon the respective locations of the target zones through which said at least one object successively passes, and (3) depicting said score on said at least one display.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a game court of predetermined dimensions on which said frame is situated, the edges of said game court defining the boundaries for permissible play of said game.

4. A programmable electronic digital apparatus comprising (a) digital storage means, (b) digital input means, (c) output means comprising at least one display, and (d) digital programming means capable of depicting on said at least one display a target apparatus comprising a frame comprised of two pairs of opposing wall elements, the wall elements of the first said pair being oriented in parallel spaced relation with one another and the wall elements of the second said pair being oriented in parallel spaced relation with one another, each wall element of the second said pair being oriented perpendicularly to the wall elements of the first said pair to define a target area within said frame, said digital programming means being further capable of (1) depicting on said at least one display (i) the subdivision of said target area into a plurality of target zones, each one of said target zones being selectively visually differentiable from the remainder of said target zones to a user of said apparatus, (ii) the visual designation to said user of at least one of said target zones for a predetermined period of time while varying the apparent location of said at least one visually designated target zone, and (iii) the repetitive transverse passage through said target area from one side of said frame to the other of at least one moving object in response to commands received through said input means, (2) determining for each such passage whether or not said at least one object passes through said target area within said at least one visually designated target zone, (3) tallying the successive passages of said at least one object through the target area from one side of said frame to the other in at least one direction, and computing at least one score based thereon in accordance with a set of predetermined rules stored in said storage means, said at least one score being based primarily upon the respective locations of the target zones through which said at least one object successively passes, and (4) depicting said at least one score on said at least one display.

5. A programmable electronic digital apparatus for simulating a target game for play by at least one player, said apparatus comprising (a) digital storage means, (b) digital input means, (c) output means comprising at least one display, and (d) digital programming means capable of depicting on said at least one display a target apparatus comprising a frame comprised of two pairs of opposing wall elements, the wall elements of the first said pair being oriented in parallel spaced relation with one another and the wall elements of the second said pair being oriented in parallel spaced relation with one another, each wall element of the second said pair being oriented perpendicularly to the wall elements of the first said pair to define a target area within said frame, said digital programming means being further capable of (1) depicting on said at least one display (i) the subdivision of said target area into a plurality of target zones, each one of said target zones being selectively visually differentiable from the remainder of said target zones to said at least one player, (ii) the selective visual designation to said at least one player of at least one of said target zones for a predetermined period of time while varying the apparent location of said at least one visually designated target zone, and (iii) the repetitive transverse passage through said target area from one side of said frame to the other of at least one moving object in response to commands received from said at least one player through said input means, (2) determining for each such passage whether or not said at least one object passes through said target area within said at least one visually designated target zone, (3) tallying the successive passages of said at least one object through the target area from one side of said frame to the other in at least one direction, and computing a score for said at least one player based thereon in accordance with a set of predetermined rules stored in said storage means, said score being based primarily upon the respective locations of the target zones through which said at least one object successively passes, and (4) depicting said score on said at least one display.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said digital programming means is further capable of depicting on said at least one display a game court of predetermined dimensions on which said frame is situated, the edges of said game court defining the boundaries for permissible play of said game.

7. A method for enabling the playing of a target game by at least one player, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a frame comprised of two pairs of opposing wall elements, the wall elements of the first said pair being oriented in parallel spaced relation with one another and the wall elements of the second said pair being oriented in parallel spaced relation with one another, each wall element of the second said pair being oriented perpendicularly to the wall elements of the first said pair to define a target area within said frame,

(b) providing means for physically subdividing said target area into a plurality of target zones,

(c) providing means for enabling selective visual differentiation by said at least one player of each one of said target zones from the remainder of said target zones, said visual differentiation enabling means comprising selectively illuminateable regions of said subdividing means,

(d) providing means for detecting the repetitive transverse passage through said target area from one side of said frame to the other of at least one moving object, for each such passage said detection means being capable of determining, and having output means for generating signals specifying, the direction in which said at least one object passes through said target area and the location of the particular target zone through which said at least one object passes,

(e) providing means to enable said at least one player to propel said at least one object toward said frame in a repetitive fashion, and

(f) providing a programmable digital electronic apparatus comprising (i) digital storage means, (ii) output means comprising at least one display and further comprising means for selectively activating said visual differentiation enabling means so as to visually designate to said at least one player at least one of said target zones, (iii) input means comprising means for receiving and processing signals from said detection means, and (iv) digital programming means capable of controlling said selective activation means in order to designate visually at least one of said target zones for a predetermined period of time and to vary the location of said at least one visually designated target zone, said digital programming means being further capable of (1) repetitively comparing the signals controlling said selective activation means with the signals received from said detection means so as to determine for each such passage whether or not said at least one object passes through said target area within said at least one visually designated target zone, (2) tallying the successive passages of said at least one object through the target area from one side of said frame to the other in at least one direction in response to propulsion of said at least one object by said at least one player, and computing a score for said at least one player based thereon in accordance with a set of predetermined rules stored in said storage means, said score being based primarily upon the respective locations of the target zones through which said at least one object successively passes, and (3) depicting said score on said at least one display.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claims 7 or 8 wherein said digital programming means is further capable of depicting on said at least one display a game court of predetermined dimensions on which said frame is situated, the edges of said game court defining the boundaries for permissible play of said game.

8. A method for enabling the playing of a target game by at least one player on a programmable electronic digital apparatus, said method comprising the step of providing such an apparatus comprising (a) digital storage means, (b) digital input means, (c) output means comprising at least one display, and (d) digital programming means capable of depicting on said at least one display a target apparatus comprising a frame comprised of two pairs of opposing wall elements, the wall elements of the first said pair being oriented in parallel spaced relation with one another and the wall elements of the second said pair being oriented in parallel spaced relation with one another, each wall element of the second said pair being oriented perpendicularly to the wall elements of the first said pair to define a target area within said frame, said digital programming means being further capable of (1) depicting on said at least one display (i) the subdivision of said target area into a plurality of target zones, each one of said target zones being selectively visually differentiable from the remainder of said target zones to said at least one player, (ii) the selective visual designation to said at least one player of at least one of said target zones for a predetermined period of time while varying the apparent location of said at least one visually designated target zone, and (iii) the repetitive transverse passage through said target area from one side of said frame to the other of at least one moving object in response to commands received from said at least one player through said input means, (2) determining for each such passage whether or not said at least one object passes through said target area within said at least one visually designated target zone, (3) tallying the successive passages of said at least one object through the target area from one side of said frame to the other in at least one direction, and computing a score for said at least one player based thereon in accordance with a set of predetermined rules stored in said storage means, said score being based primarily upon the respective locations of the target zones through which said at least one object successively passes, and (4) depicting said score on said at least one display.