A device for displaying information, in particular for bowling alleys Technical Field The present invention relates to a device for displaying information, in particular for bowling alleys.

Background Art As is known, a bowling alley lane basically consists of a bowling surface which extends longitudinally, on which a preset number of bowling pins (normally 10) is set out. The player must knock the pins down by throwing a ball at them.

If, with a single throw, the player knocks down all of the pins, it is called a"strike". In contrast, if after the first throw one or more pins are still standing, the player is entitled to a second throw, to try to knock down the remaining pins.

Upon finishing a turn, which consists of a single throw in the case of a"strike", or two throws if no strike is achieved, the player is assigned a score, according to the number of pins knocked down.

For this purpose there are suitable detector means, able to count the number of pins knocked down and to calculate the relative score, even according to the number of throws taken.

There are display means connected to the detector means. The display means normally consist of screens or monitors, which make available, in real time, all data relative to the current game and the various players taking part (players'names, scores for each turn, total scores, etc.).

In order to improve the quality of each player's game and to increase the probability that each, with the two throws available to them, will knock down all of the pins in the lane, the above- mentioned display means are also set up in such a way that they provide appropriate suggestions.

The indications provided by the device are particularly helpful, above all if, after the first throw, not all of the pins are knocked down. Depending on the arrangement pattern of the pins still standing, the player must select the trajectory to be followed by the ball for the second throw with great accuracy.

In particular, the player must be able to throw the ball in such a way that all of the pins still standing are knocked down, if necessary so that some pins knock down others as they fall, with a kind of"domino"effect, allowing all of the pins to be knocked down.

To provide players with appropriate suggestions, there are devices currently available which indicate the point at which the ball must hit the pins still standing in order to knock all of them down, but no further information is supplied regarding the trajectory of the ball or the effects of impact with the pins.

In other words, the devices currently marketed can provide a static image on the display means, showing only the ideal point of contact between the ball and one or more of the standing pins, without the player knowing how the ball must reach that position and what effects the suggested throw will have on each pin.

The disadvantages of the devices described above are, therefore, obvious.

The suggestions for players supplied by such devices are imprecise, since only a single static image is displayed, indicating the ideal point of contact between the ball and the pins still standing.

In particular, since such a static image does not provide complete indications for a correct throw and does not provide the player with information detailed enough to allow an understanding of the effects of such a throw, the player cannot fully comprehend the consequences of the throw he or she is about to take and, therefore, cannot improve his or her technique.

Disclosure of the Invention The aim of the present invention is, therefore, to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide a device for displaying information, in particular for bowling

alleys, which makes complete and precise indications available to the player regarding the stages of the game about to be played.

Another aim of the present invention is to make available a device which, by displaying animations, allows the player to fully comprehend the effects of the throw to be performed and, as a result, to improve his or her technique.

These and other aims are achieved by a device for displaying information, in particular for bowling alleys, as described in the claims herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings Further features and advantages are more clearly illustrated in the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of a device for displaying information, in particular for bowling alleys, without limiting the scope of its application, and in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a device in accordance with the present invention attached to an apparatus for tenpin bowling; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the logic structure of a control unit for the device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a succession of images displayed using the device illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows the logic structure of a signal used in the device illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the device illustrated in Figure 1 associated to an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for tenpin bowling.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention The device for displaying information, in particular for bowling alleys, is indicated as a whole by the numeral 1 in the accompanying drawings.

Firstly, it is important to emphasise the meaning of some terms in this context.

The expression"static image"refers to a single, fixed image, without any animation or processing designed to dynamically represent changes or movements. In other words, it is an image

similar to a photograph, preferably digital and showing one or more objects or elements.

Vice versa, the expression"animation"refers to any type of representation obtained, for example, using a succession of static images which, when viewed one after another, in a preset sequence and at a given speed, gives the viewer the optical impression of movement or, generally, a dynamic change in the situation represented with the passage of time. A second example of an "animation"may be obtained starting with an initial, static image, in which, according to precise temporal progressions, some portions are changed, so that what the viewer sees is a situation which changes dynamically (typically, a moving object which changes its position with the passage of time) from one moment to the next.

That being said, reference is made to the accompanying drawings for a detailed description of the device in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1 in particular illustrates the device 1 attached to a generic tenpin bowling apparatus 2.

The apparatus 2 has at least one lane 10, with a bowling surface 10a which extends mainly longitudinally, on which a ball 12 is thrown and rolls in order to knock down a preset number of bowling pins 11.

In particular, the bowling surface lOa has a first end lOb, where the ball 12 is thrown, and a second end lOc, opposite the first end lOb, where the pins 11 are positioned and towards which the ball 12 is thrown in order to knock down the pins 11.

Close to the second end 10c there is a collection device 70, which collects and sets out the pins 11 on the bowling surface 10a.

The device 70 is activated at the end of each player's turn, when the pins 11 must be collected and distributed according to a preset starting pattern, so that the next player can begin his or her turn.

To aid the players as they play, as indicated above, the device 1 for displaying information can be connected to the apparatus 2.

The device 1 normally updates and displays all of the information necessary for the game (players'names, scores for each <BR> <BR> turn, total scores, etc. ), according to the results obtained by the players.

For this purpose, the device 1 has first detector means 30, designed to detect the arrangement pattern of the pins 11 on the bowling surface 10a. Depending on this arrangement pattern, the means 30 generate a main detection signal 110, which incorporates an identification code 111 (Figure 4), indicating the distribution of the pins 11 and, in particular the position of those pins 11 which, after a first throw of the ball 12 by a player, are still standing.

In a preferred embodiment, the detector means 30 may consist of a camera 31, with an angle of vision which covers all of the pins 11 of at least one lane 10, and an electronic card 32 attached to it. The electronic card 32 is programmed to generate a reading map for the camera 31, to define a matrix of co-ordinates relative to the arrangement pattern of the pins 11. In other words, the electronic card 32 can receive the image, relative to pin 11 distribution, picked up by the camera 31 and convert it, using a preset algorithm, into digital information, which is made available to other elements of the device 1. This digital information is, basically, the identification code 111 incorporated in the main detection signal 110.

The main detection signal 110, representing the information described above, is received by a control unit 40, connected to the above-mentioned first detector means 30.

According to the arrangement pattern of the pins 11 represented by the identification code 111, the control unit 40 provides one or more items of information regarding the game at output. This information may, for example, relate to the scores for each turn and the total scores. For this purpose the processing unit 40 compares the matrix indicated by the identification code 111 with a programmed matrix, to discover how many pins have been knocked down and, as a result, what score must be assigned to each player.

Another characteristic function of the control unit 40 is the possibility of supplying at output, again according to the data received at input through the identification code 111 incorporated in the main detection signal 110, an animation 45, containing indications about how to throw the ball 12 in order to knock down the pins 11.

In particular, the animation 45 may be an animated representation of the movement of the ball 12, according to a

trajectory suggested for throwing in the best possible way, and the consequent movement of the pins 11, which are hit and knocked down by the ball 12.

Hereinafter, the numeral 12a denotes the ball in the animations 45, to distinguish it from the ball 12 which is physically available to the player for a throw. Similarly, lla denotes the pins in the animations, to distinguish them from the pins 11 actually present in the lane 10.

The animation 45 basically shows (see, for example, Figure 3, which is described in more detail below) a ball 12a which, following an ideal trajectory, hits one or more of the pins lla, knocking them down and completing the player's turn in the best possible way. It also shows the falling movement of each pin lla, after being hit by the ball 12a or by another pin lla as it falls.

The animation 45 may be advantageously used after the player has completed a first throw without a"strike", that is to say, when the player has a second throw available, in order to knock down those pins still standing. In this case, the animation 45 may show the player how to take the second throw, with greater precision than existing systems.

More specifically, the first detector means 30 detect the arrangement pattern of the pins 11 which, following a first throw of the ball 12, are still standing, and communicate it to the control unit 40 by means of the main detection signal 110 and the relative identification code 111. The control unit 40, in turn, according to the content of the main detection signal 110,. transmits at output an <BR> <BR> animation 45, simulating a second, "ideal"throw, in which the ball 12a knocks down as many of the pins lla still standing as possible.

In particular, the animation 45 represents the movement of the ball 12a towards the pins lla and the falling movement of the various pins lla.

The player should, therefore, reproduce the situation suggested by the device 1, by throwing the ball 12 and knocking down the pins 11.

Conveniently, to better illustrate the suggested throw and its effects to the player, the animation 45 may consist of a first portion and at least a second portion, following the first. The two portions are separated by a static image, showing, for example with

one or more arrows, the direction in which the ball 12 must be thrown, the direction in which the pins lla hit fall and, if necessary, in which they hit other pins. The arrows indicate the directions of movement and falling may be accompanied by written messages, which describe the meaning of the arrows.

In further detail, the static image between the first and the second portion can"anticipate"the movements in the second portion, indicating the directions in which the ball 12a and the pins lla are going to move, after the initial dynamics contained in the first portion.

Therefore, in light of the dynamics shown in the first portion, this type of static image provides a static preview of the dynamics which are subsequently represented in the second portion.

The effect obtained when the animation 45 is viewed is a sort of short film which, for each impact between the ball 12a and one or more pins lla, or an impact between a plurality of pins lla, is automatically stopped, for several moments, on a static image, which shows the movements illustrated in detail.

When a preset interval has elapsed, the film starts up again, showing the player the subsequent developments in the suggested throw.

If the succession of impacts and falls which must be illustrated is particularly complex, the animation 45 may include a plurality of portions. Each portion represents a specific part of the dynamics involved after the suggested throw.

The animation 45 may, therefore, start with an initial portion, followed by a plurality of portions, which follow one another over a period of time, each separated from the portion immediately before it by a static image of the type described above. Each of the static images shows a direction of movement of the ball 12a and/or a direction of fall for one or more of the pins lla. More specifically, each static image anticipates, with the arrows and written messages that it contains, the movements represented by the portion preceded by the static image.

For example, Figure 3 shows a possible sequence of an animation 45 consisting of three portions.

The first portion starts with the initial image 45a, showing the arrangement pattern of the pins lla. By means of the next

animation, the first portion represents the movement of the ball 12a until it hits the pins lla.

At the moment of impact between the ball 12a and the pins lla, the first portion ends and the animation stops on a first static image 45b, showing the directions in which the ball 12a is moving and the direction in which the front pin falls.

In particular, the arrow associated with the ball 12a is accompanied by the written message 200"hit the 1 pin on the left", whilst the arrow relative to the pin falling is associated with the written message 300"pin 1 is driven into the 10 pin".

After a pause of around one second, the second portion is started, showing the front pin falling (and taking the last back, right-hand pin with it), together with the second stretch over which the ball 12a travels.

When the ball hits the second front pin, the animation stops again, providing a static image 45c in which a pair of arrows indicates the change in the direction of the ball 12a movement and shows how the ball can, finally, hit the last back, left-hand pin.

The written explanation 400"then ball hits the pin 2 and deflects into the pin 7"is displayed at the same time as the arrows.

The third and last portion is then activated, animating the movement seen in the previous static image 45c, dynamically illustrating the last stretch travelled by the ball 12a and the consequent fall of the last pin remaining.

The image 45d illustrates the end of the third portion. All of the pins lla have been knocked down and the lane is empty.

It is important to emphasise how the static images which separate the different portions of an animation 45 can provide details relative to the previous portion, the next portion, or both.

Moreover, it should be noticed how the possibility of using static images to separate the dynamic portions of the animations 45 is optional and, if unwanted, can be switched off. For this reason, the device 1 has a control unit 60 (Figure 1), connected to the control unit 40, with which each player can decide whether or not to use the additional suggestions described above.

The control unit 60 may be positioned, as illustrated in Figure 1, close to the lane 10 so that it can be used directly by the

players or, alternatively, at a remote station, not illustrated, where it is operated only by authorised personnel.

It is important to stress how, using the control unit 60, it is possible to switch on and off the option for displaying the written messages which may accompany each animation 45.

To select the animation 45 to be supplied at output, according to the situation created, the control unit 40 (Figure 2) has a memory 42, with a first register 43 in which a plurality of animations 45 are stored. In the first register 43, a reference code 48 is associated with each animation 45, representing the arrangement pattern of the pins 11 for the throw illustrated in the animation 45.

In practice, the reference code 48 identifies a particular arrangement pattern of the pins 11 which are still standing after a first throw by the player. The animation 45 associated with that reference code in the first register 43 in the memory 42 must illustrate the"ideal"second throw for that pin 11 arrangement pattern. That is to say, the second throw which the player should take in that specific situation in order to complete his or her turn in the best possible way.

Linked to the memory 42 and the above-mentioned first detector means 30, is a processing block 41, which may consist of a microprocessor, which can, on each occasion, select the animation 45 most suited to the specific situation.

In particular, the processing block 41 is designed to receive the main detection signal 110 and compare the identification code 111 in it with the reference codes 48 stored in the first register 43 in the memory 42. If there is a substantial match between the identification code 111 received and a preset reference code 48 (that is to say, if the arrangement pattern of the pins 11 still standing on the bowling surface lOa is recognised), the processing block 41 transmits the animation 45 associated with the reference code 48 at output.

To allow the players to view the animations 45, together with all of the other information relating to the current game, the device 1 comprises a display element 50, designed to receive the data from the processing block 41, including the animations 45 selected, and to display them.

Advantageously, the display element 50 may be a conventional screen, if necessary linked to other, similar monitors, controlled by the same processing block 41 or by other smart units able to generate similar commands.

It is important to emphasise how the number of possible pin arrangement patterns, after a first throw, is very high. In particular, if you consider a total number of pins amounting to 10, the possible distributions after a player's first throw are 210 = 1024.

In other words, following the first throw, there may be more than 1000 different scenarios on the bowling surface 10a, which must be dealt with by the player. Obviously, the creation and storing of an animation 45 for each of the possible cases would require significant resources in terms of time for the authorised operators and capacity for the device 1 memory 42.

Therefore, advantageously an animation 45 of the above- mentioned type is only created and stored for the most probable pin arrangement patterns, that is to say, those with a greater probability of occurring for the player.

According to studies carried out by operators in the sector, there are around 300 most probable pin arrangement patterns.

Obviously, this kind of data may be essential for simplifying production of the device 1 disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the memory 42 contains, in the first register 43, a plurality of animations 45, each relating to a situation which may be considered "probable". To handle all of the other situations, the memory 42 has a second register 44, in which a plurality of static images 47 is stored, each relating to an"improbable"or"rare"situation.

In this way, in most cases (that is to say, for probable arrangement patterns) the player can view an animation 45, which dynamically shows them the ideal trajectory for the ball 12 and the relative consequences on the pins 11. In other cases (that is to say, for rare arrangement patterns), the display element 50 can provide the player with a static image 47, which can still provide some useful indications on how to proceed with the next throw, for example by means of written messages and/or arrows indicating the directions of movement of the various elements.

However, it is obvious that studies on the arrangement patterns of the pins 11 are carried out in such a way as to minimise the probability of the latter.

In order to select the appropriate static image 47, when necessary, in the second register 44 of the memory 42, each static image 47 is associated with a respective auxiliary reference code 49. This represents an auxiliary pin 11 arrangement pattern, that is to say, an arrangement pattern which is considered improbable following a generic throw of the ball 12. The information in the static image 47 refers to the correct completion of the second throw, according to the auxiliary arrangement pattern identified by the auxiliary reference code 49.

Each time the control unit 40 receives a main detection signal 110, as indicated above, the processing block 41 begins a series of comparisons between the identification code 111 and the reference codes 48, stored in the first register of the memory 42 and associated with the animations 45.

The case in which the identification code 111 is a substantial match with a reference code 48 (i. e.: the pin 11 arrangement pattern is a probable arrangement pattern) is examined in detail above.

Vice versa, if the identification code 111 is not a substantial match with any of the reference codes 48 (i. e.: if the pin 11 arrangement pattern is rare), the processing block 41 then compares the identification code 111 with the auxiliary reference codes 49 in the second register 44 of the memory 42.

Once a substantial match is identified between the identification code 111 and a preset auxiliary reference code 49, the processing block 41 sends the display element 50 the static image 47 associated with the above-mentioned preset auxiliary reference code 49, selected using the comparison operation described above.

Obviously, the succession of comparisons described here is given by way of example only, without limiting correct operation of the device 1. By inverting the procedure, that is to say, comparing the identification code 111 first with the auxiliary reference codes 49 and then, if necessary, with the reference codes 48, the results obtained are just the same.

Conveniently, the device 1 also has second detector means 20, connected to the control unit 40 and, in particular, to the processing block 41.

The second detector means 20 are designed to detect the passage of the ball 12 at a preset position on the bowling surface 10a, preferably close to the pins 11, or close to the second end 10c of the bowling surface 10a.

When the second detector means 20 detect that the ball 12 has passed the preset position, they generate an auxiliary detection signal 100, sent to the processing block 41, so that the latter can activate the first detection means 30 and proceed with the identification of the particular pin 11 arrangement pattern.

The auxiliary detection signal 100 is sent to the processing block 41 by means of the electronic card 32, connected to the second detector means 20. Therefore, the electronic card 32 is a"smart" interface between the camera 31, the second detector means 20 and the control unit 40.

It is important to emphasise that the first detector means 30 do not need to remain active during the game. They are only required when a player has taken a throw and the device 1 must count the scores and, if necessary, display an animation 45 or a static image 47 for the next throw.

Therefore, the second detector means 20, being able to detect the passage of the ball 12 close to the pins 11, are very useful for activating the first detector means 30 at the correct moment and for preventing their continued operation when they are not required.

Basically, the second detector means 20 comprise a photocell, positioned on one side of the bowling surface 10a and facing a reference element, mounted on the opposite side of the surface 10a.

This detection system is of the known type and, therefore, is not described in any more detail.

In a preferred embodiment (Figure 5), the apparatus for tenpin bowling 2 comprises at least a first lane 13 and a second lane 14 with adjacent longer sides. In this case, the first detector means 30 and the second detector means 20 can be included in a single body 80 positioned between the bowling surfaces of the two lanes 13,14.

In other words, the photocell device of the second detector means 20, the camera 31 and, preferably, the electronic card 32 can

form a single apparatus, that is to say, the single body 80, for detecting the passage of the ball 12 and the arrangement pattern of the pins 11 after the throw.

Advantageously, the single body 80 can be mounted on a channel or channel cover formed by and included in the two connected lanes 13,14. In this particular case, the camera 31 of the first detector means 30 has an angle of vision covering the two sets of pins lib, llc on both lanes 13, 14.

To summarise, the procedure performed by the device 1 disclosed is as follows.

Firstly, the second detector means 20 described above detect the passage of the ball 12 at a preset position close to the pins 11. That is to say, the fact that the player has thrown the ball is detected. As a result, an auxiliary detection signal 100 is generated, necessary for activation of the subsequent stages.

The auxiliary detection signal 100 is sent to the control unit 40 by the electronic card 32.

The latter cause the first detector means 30 to detect the arrangement pattern of the pins 11, and a main detection signal 110 is generated, in accordance with said arrangement pattern. In particular, the main detection signal 110 contains an identification code 111, unambiguously associated with the pin 11 arrangement pattern detected.

The main detection signal 110 is received by the control unit 40, which in turn transmits one or more items of information at output, according to the identification code 111 received.

Specifically, the identification code 111 is compared with a preset number of programmed reference codes 48, each representing a "probable"pin 11 arrangement pattern and each associated with one of the above-mentioned animations 45. If a substantial match is identified between the identification code 111 and a preset reference code 48, the control unit 40 transmits the animation 45 associated with the selected reference code 48.

If there is no substantial match between the identification code 111 and any of the reference codes 48, a second series of comparisons is made, in particular with a preset number of auxiliary reference codes 49, each representing a"rare"pin 11 arrangement pattern and each associated with a static image 47.

When a substantial match is identified between the identification code 111 and a preset auxiliary reference code 49, the control unit 40 transmits a static image 47 associated with the selected preset auxiliary reference code 49.

Finally, the animation 45 or static image 47 transmitted by the control unit 40 are received and displayed by the display element 50.

As described above, each animation 45 may contain information on how to take the next throw and, in particular, may be an animation of the ball 12 movement and subsequent pin 11 falling movement.

Conveniently, each animation 45 may consist of a preset number of animated portions, separated by static images, which allow graphic indications, for example using arrows and written explanations, of what happens as a result of a throw correctly taken in accordance with the suggestions provided.

The present invention has important advantages.

Firstly, it allows the player (s) to be provided with complete, precise indications, so that the throw can be taken in the best possible way, maximising the probability of knocking down all of the pins on the lane.

Moreover, thanks to the animations, the player is able to achieve a full understanding of how the game works and the dynamics which can be created between the ball and pins, as well as between the various pins when they fall against one another, thus improving the player's technique.