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

• US 8,628,428 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2004
• Issued: 01/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qubicaamf Europe S.P.A. (Daifuku Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Qubicaamf Europe S.P.A. (Daifuku Company Limited)
• Inventors: Vaioli, Roberto
• Primary Examiner(s): D'AGOSTINO, PAUL ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US10/868,943
• Publication Number:
  US 20050089153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,498 Days
• Field of Search: 340/323.B, 364410-411, 700/92, 358/93, 358/108, 434/249, 473/71
• US Class Current: 473/67
• CPC Class Codes: A63D 5/04 Indicating devices

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.

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 along which a ball is rolled and an apparatus for setting up the pins and returning the ball, the method comprising:

generating a signal relating to the at least one event, wherein the at least one event produces a call for service condition;

automatically transmitting the event signal as a notification signal to an operator;

displaying a first image informing players that a fault has been detected;

displaying a second image informing the players that repairs are in progress; and

displaying a third image informing the players that the repairs have been completed.

2. A system for managing at least one event in a bowling establishment or similar facility, and in for implementing the method according to any one of the foregoing claims, the bowling establishment comprising at least one lane along which a ball is rolled and an apparatus for setting up the pins and returning the ball, the system comprising:

means for generating a signal relating to the event, wherein the signal generating means are located at the apparatus for setting up the pins and returning the ball; and

a control unit that causes first, second, and third images to be displayed on a screen at a bowler bay, wherein;

the first image includes a first portion informing players that a fault has been detected;

second image includes a second portion informing the players that repairs are in progress; and

the third image includes a third portion informing the players that the repairs have been completed.

96. A computer program stored in a computer readable medium or memory module, comprising means or instructions that implement the steps of claim 1.

97. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification signal comprises a predetermined message that is automatically transmitted upon occurrence of the at least one event.

3. A method for managing at least one event in a bowling establishment or similar facility, the bowling establishment comprising at least one lane along which a ball is rolled and a pin setting up machine for setting up pins and returning the ball, the method comprising:

generating an event signal relating to the event, wherein the at least one event produces a call for service condition;

informing bowlers that an error or fault has been detected;

informing bowlers that repair work is in progress; and

informing bowlers that the repair work is complete.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one event comprises a fault or error.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the fault or error comprises a fault in the pin setting up machine.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the fault or error comprises a fault that has occurred on the at least one lane.

7. The method according to claim 3, wherein the event signal is a notification signal transmitted automatically.

8. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one event comprises cancellation of an error or fault.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein a cancellation event signal is generated after a fault indication event signal.

10. The method according to claim 3, wherein the event signal is a signal acknowledging receipt of the call or notification.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the signal acknowledging receipt is emitted following an operation performed by a maintenance operator.

12. The method according to claim 3, wherein the event signal comprises a signal indicating that work to remedy an error or fault has begun.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the signal indicating that work has begun is generated after a fault indication event signal.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the signal indicating that work has begun is generated after a fault indication event signal, and when an operator reaches an area where the fault has occurred and begins working on a solution to the fault.

15. The method according to claim 3, wherein the event signal comprises a signal indicating that work to remedy an error or fault has been completed.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the signal indicating that work has been completed is generated after commencement of a work event.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the signal indicating that work has been completed is generated when an operator has terminated a procedure to solve the error or fault.

18. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one event comprises the closure of the lane where a fault has been detected.

19. The method according to claim 3, wherein the event signal is arranged to identify a source that generated the event signal.

20. The method according to claim 3, wherein the event signal is arranged to identify a type of event detected.

21. The method according to claim 3, further comprising identifying an area where a fault has occurred.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the identifying an area where a fault has occurred comprises identifying a part of the pin setting up machine where the fault has occurred.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the event signal indicates when the part of the pin setting up machine requiring service is a front of the pin setting up machine.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the event signal indicates when the part of the pin setting up machine requiring service is a back of the pin setting up machine.

25. The method according to claim 3, wherein the event signal is generated by a manual operation.

26. The method according to claim 3, further comprising automatically generating the event signal.

27. The method according to claim 3, further comprising generating a signal for encoding a signal or an action in response to the event signal.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the response signal constitutes at least one piece of information relating to the at least one event.

29. The method according to claim 3, further comprising emitting a signal relating to the at least one event.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the emitting a signal is performed by a light emitting device located at the bowling lane.

31. The method according to claim 29, wherein the emitting a signal comprises emitting a sound signal.

32. The method according to claim 29, wherein the emitting a signal comprises emitting a video signal.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the video signal is emitted on a screen located at the lane.

34. The method according to claim 29, wherein the emitting a signal comprises emitting a telephone signal.

35. The method according to claim 29, wherein a response signal defines a notification.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein a notification signal comprises at least one piece of information relating to the at least one event.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the information relating to the at least one event defines a notification of a fault.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein the fault notification defines a type of fault.

39. The method according to claim 37, wherein the fault notification defines an area where the fault has occurred.

40. The method according to claim 37, wherein the fault notification defines a part of the pin setting up machine that requires service.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the fault notification defines whether the part requiring service is accessible from a front or from a back of the pin setting up machine.

42. The method according to claim 36, wherein the notification signal comprises information that an operator has been called.

43. The method according to claim 36, wherein the notification signal comprises information that repair work has commenced.

44. The method according to claim 36, wherein the notification signal comprises information that repair work has been completed.

45. The method according to claim 36, wherein the notification signal comprises information that the lane is closed.

46. The method according to claim 3, further comprising counting time taken by an operator to perform an operation.

47. The method according to claim 3, wherein the informing bowlers that an error or fault has been detected comprises displaying an image providing information that the error or fault has been detected.

48. The method according to claim 3, further comprising displaying an image providing information that a mechanic has been notified.

49. The method according to claim 3, further comprising displaying an image providing information that a mechanic has arrived.

50. The method according to claim 3, wherein the informing bowlers that repair work is in progress comprises displaying an image providing information that repair work is in progress.

51. The method according to claim 3, further comprising generating a repair work completed signal by a mechanic pressing a pushbutton switch on the pin setting up machine.

52. The method according to claim 3, further comprising providing a repair work completed signal by telephone.

53. The method according to claim 3, further comprising providing a repair work completed signal through a main console.

54. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the pin setting up machine automatically generating a repair work completed signal.

55. The method according to claim 3, further comprising displaying an image providing information that repair work has been completed successfully.

56. The method according to claim 44, wherein the repair work completed signal is processed by a routine that checks whether the lane concerned is open or closed.

57. The method according to claim 4, wherein the event signal comprises an error or fault signal and is generated by a pushbutton switch located at a bowlers'"'"' bay.

58. The method according to claim 4, wherein a fault event signal is first tested to check whether the lane is actually open.

59. The method according to claim 57, further comprising testing to check whether the pushbutton switch is enabled.

95. A computer program stored in a computer readable medium or memory module, comprising means or instructions that implement the steps of claim 3.

60. A system for managing at least one event in a bowling establishment, the bowling establishment comprising at least one lane along which a ball is rolled and a pin setting up machine for setting up the pins and returning the ball, comprising:

a signal generating device that generates an event signal relating to the at least one event; and

a control system structured and arranged to;

inform bowlers that an error or fault has been detected;

inform bowlers that repair work is in progress; and

inform bowlers that the repair work is complete.

61. The system according to claim 60, wherein the bowling establishment comprises a bowlers'"'"' bay.

62. The system according to claim 60, wherein the bowlers'"'"' bay is equipped with display means.

63. The system according to claim 60, wherein the signal generating device can be activated manually.

64. The system according to claim 63, wherein the signal generating device comprises a control console.

65. The system according to claim 63, wherein the signal generating device comprises a console, which is located at a front desk of the bowling establishment.

66. The system according to claim 63, wherein the signal generating device comprises a console, which is located at a bowlers'"'"' bay.

67. The system according to claim 60, wherein the signal generating device generates the event signal automatically upon occurrence of the at least one event.

68. The system according to claim 67, wherein the signal generating device comprises a controller for controlling the pin setting up machine.

69. The system according to claim 60, wherein the signal generating device is activated by a switch.

70. The system according to claim 60, wherein the signal generating device is located at a bowlers'"'"' bay.

71. The system according to claim 60, wherein the signal generating device comprise a phone set.

72. The system according to claim 71, wherein the phone set comprises a portable telephone.

73. The system according to claim 71, wherein the phone set comprises a fixed telephone.

74. The system according to claim 60, further comprising a controller that generates a response signal for encoding a signal or an action in response to the event signal.

75. The system according to claim 74, wherein the response signal constitutes at least one piece of information relating to the at least one event.

76. The system according to claim 74, wherein the controller comprises a main control unit.

77. The system according to claim 74, wherein the controller comprises a central unit for controlling the at least one event.

78. The system according to claim 77, wherein the central unit communicates with a main unit.

79. The system according to claim 74, wherein the controller comprises a local control unit.

80. The system according to claim 79, wherein the local control unit communicates with a central unit.

81. The system according to claim 79, wherein a switch activated device at the pin setting up machine communicates with the local control unit.

82. The system according to claim 79, wherein a control device at the pin setting up machine communicates with the local control unit.

83. The system according to claim 79, wherein a switch activated device at a bowlers'"'"' bay communicates with the local control unit.

84. The system according to claim 60, further comprising a signal emitter for emitting a signal relating to the at least one event.

85. The system according to claim 84, wherein the signal emitter comprises a light emitter located at the lane.

86. The system according to claim 85, wherein the light emitter is connected to a local control unit.

87. The system according to claim 84, wherein the signal is emitted as a sound signal.

88. The system according to claim 84, wherein the signal is emitted as a video signal.

89. The system according to claim 88, wherein the signal is emitted by a screen at the lane.

90. The system according to claim 84, wherein the signal is emitted as a telephone signal.

91. The system according to claim 90, wherein the signal emitter comprises a portable telephone.

92. The system according to claim 91, wherein the portable telephone communicates with a central unit.

93. The system according to claim 84, wherein the signal emitter comprises a telephone connected by cable to a central unit.

94. The system according to claim 60, wherein the pin setting up machine automatically generates a repair work successfully completed signal.