The ancient game of darts has long been a mainstay of bars, restaurants, and even homes. Many versions and variants of dart games exist, including, for example, Cricket, 501, and Random Cricket. Only recently, however, have inventors applied modern electronics and computer technology to the game of darts and thereby opened the door to an entirely new realm of dart based games.

Electronic dart games machines and associated support electronics are disclosed, for example, in U. S.

Pat. Nos. 5,401,033 to Lychock, Jr., 4,057,251 to Jones et al., 4,561,660 to Zammuto, and 4,586,716 to Brejcha et al. The Lychock patent, for instance, discloses an electronic dart game machine with a random target number

generator that may be used to play a random Cricket game.

The Lychock dart game machine randomly generates target values for display on an electronic dart board, and fixes for future reference only those values marked by a dart hit during a player's turn. Because the target values change while the game machine is being played, more interesting, challenging, and exciting play results.

Recent developments in computerized dart game machines have also provided a video display associated with the dart game machines. The video display may show the current scores, advertisements, diagnostic information, and the like. Such an electronic dart game machine is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 4,824,121 to Beall et al.

Furthermore, entirely new possibilities for multiple player competitive or cooperative play have been provided by the multiple target electronic dart game machine disclosed by Martin in U. S. Pat. No. 5,020,806. In the Martin patent, two independent electronic dart boards operate under the supervision of a single microcontroller. A display also operates under control of the microcontroller and may show player scores in a split screen display (for independently played games) or in a single display (for multi-player competitive or cooperative games).

Although current electronics technology has provided the hardware for new, interesting, and exciting dart games, few such dart games have been created.

Furthermore, while dart tournaments can sometimes attract players, external overhead (e. g., the manual completion of paper scoring forms) presents a natural disincentive to hold a tournament. In other tournament implementations, a central remote computer runs the tournament. Such an implementation adds the cost and complexity of communication interfaces and communication channel resources for each dart game machine, and makes tournament play impossible should the central computer fail.

In many respects, the limitations of past electronic dart game tournament systems limit the number of players attracted and prevent realization of the revenue that stands to be generated by having many players frequently participate in a tournament. The inability to attract players, of course, makes it more difficult for dart game machine manufacturers to sell their games and for operators to maintain interest (and therefore profitability) in the game machines once installed.

A need has long existed in the industry for an electronic dart game machine that addresses the problems noted above and others previously experienced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present invention is an electronic dart game machine with a standalone, automated, and integrated tournament mode. Significant overhead (e. g., manual completion of paper scoring forms) is thereby eliminated.

Another aspect of the present invention is a dual target electronic dart game machine with an integrated tournament mode. Simultaneous play by multiple players may then take place.

A feature of the present invention is an electronic dart game machine that provides multiple modes of tournament play. The electronic dart game machine may thereby provide players with the particular tournament mode they are most interested in playing.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic dart game machine with an integrated tournament mode. The electronic dart game machine includes a first electronic dart target, a processor coupled to the first electronic dart target, and a display coupled to the processor. A memory connected to the processor stores automated tournament instructions ("instructions").

In particular, the instructions accept player identifications for participation in a dart tournament,

determine a tournament mode (e. g., single elimination mode, double elimination mode, or round robin mode), and create and display a tournament chart including paired player identifications.

Before starting the tournament, the instructions add BYE entries to the tournament chart when less than the requisite number of player identifications are input, and accept a tournament game selection that specifies one or more dart games to be played during the dart tournament.

Subsequently, the instructions initiate dart game matches in accordance with the paired player identifications in the tournament chart, monitor darts striking the first electronic dart target to determine a match winner for each dart game match, and create an updated tournament chart to include new paired player identifications indicative of match winners. When the dart tournament is completed, the instructions display a player identification ranking on the display.

In one embodiment, the electronic dart game machine includes a second independent electronic dart target coupled to the processor. The instructions may then simultaneously initiate a first dart game match on the first electronic dart target and a second dart game match on the second electronic dart target in accordance with the paired player identifications in the tournament

chart. The instructions create an updated tournament chart to include new paired player identifications indicative of the first match winner and the second match winner.

The instructions may also allow the players to provide a game recurrence input. The game recurrence input identifies a minimum number of dart games to be played in order to determine a winner for each dart game match. For example, the game recurrence input may indicate that 2 out of 3,3 out of 5, or 4 out of 7 games must be won for a player to win a match. Additionally, the instructions may allow the players to select one or more different dart games (e. g., Cricket and 301), to be alternately played during each dart game match.

In another embodiment, the electronic dart game machine also includes a communication interface capable of communicating with a second electronic dart game machine. The instructions may then distribute at least one paired player identification through the communication interface to the second electronic dart game machine. When the second electronic dart game machine has determined a match winner, the instructions receive through the communication interface the match winner. The tournament chart (which is preferably

displayed between matches) is subsequently updated to be indicative of match winners.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method for operating a self contained tournament mode in an electronic dart game machine. The method includes the steps of accepting player identifications for participation in a dart tournament at a player interface of an electronic dart game, determining a tournament mode selected from at least a single elimination mode and a double elimination mode using the player interface, and creating, and displaying a tournament chart including paired player identifications.

The method also includes adding BYE entries to the tournament chart when less than a predetermined number of player identifications are accepted, accepting a tournament game selection using the player interface that specifies a dart game to be played during the dart tournament, and initiating dart game matches at the electronic dart game machine in accordance with the paired player identifications in the tournament chart.

The method proceeds by monitoring darts striking a first electronic dart target to determine a match winner for each dart game match, and creating an updated tournament chart to include new paired player

identifications indicative of match winners; and, when the dart tournament is completed, displaying a player identification ranking on a display coupled to the electronic dart game machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of a multiple target electronic dart game machine which may be used for tournament play.

Figure 2 shows a high level block diagram of the hardware components associated with the multiple target electronic dart game machine of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of the instructions running in the electronic dart game machine.

Figure 4 depicts a tournament setup screen.

Figure 5 illustrates a player identification input screen.

Figure 6 shows an 8-player double elimination tournament chart with inserted BYEs.

Figure 7 illustrates another view of the 8-player double elimination tournament chart.

Figure 8 shows a credit display.

Figure 9 illustrates an updated tournament chart.

Figure 10 depicts a player identification ranking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Turning now to Figure 1, one embodiment of an electronic dart game machine 100 is illustrated. The dart game machine 100 includes a player interface 102, a first electronic dart target 104, and a second electronic dart target 106. The dart game machine 100 also includes a display 108 and input buttons 110.

The player interface 102 includes the mechanisms by which a player provides input to the electronic dart game machine 100. Such mechanisms include, as examples, coin slots, dollar bill acceptors, and one (or more) player start buttons. The player interface 102 also includes input buttons 110 as well as the display 108 and the electronic dart target 104. The input buttons 110, in particular, allow convenient player input for a wide variety of input screens (as examples, player identification, game selection, and tournament mode selection screens). The input buttons are preferably implemented using membrane switches.

The display 108 may vary widely in implementation.

For example, the display 108 may be a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) based display, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), or even a dense grid of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS). As an alternative to providing the input buttons 110 for input, the display 108 may be implemented as a touch screen.

The dart game machine 100 may also provide video output connectors that provide standard connections to VGA, NTSC, or S-Video displays. The display 108 may then be mounted in a location remote from the dart game 100 itself.

The dart game machine 100 includes a first electronic dart target 104. Optionally, additional electronic dart targets (for example, the second electronic dart target 106) may be connected to a processor in the dart game machine 100 to provide nearly simultaneous play, as set forth, for example, in U. S.

Pat. No. 5,020,806 to Martin. Suitable electronic dart targets 104 may be obtained from Arachnid, Inc. of Rockford, Illinois and may be implemented, for example, as described in U. S. Pat. No. 4,057,251.

The electronic dart target 104 may include, for example, a set of switches (which may be magnetic, mechanical, or optical) associated with each segment (including double mark, triple mark, and bullseyes) for each target value on the dart target 104. When a dart hits a segment, one of the switches associated with the segment closes. By scanning the set of switches with a general purpose bus, a processor determines which switch has closed and may therefore determine the associated segment and target value.

Turning now to Figure 2, one example of the hardware configuration 200 of the dart game machine 100 is shown.

The hardware configuration 200 shows display 108, the first electronic dart target 104, the second electronic dart target 106, and the input buttons 110. A central processor 202 connects to the first electronic dart 104 and the second electronic dart targets 106 as well as to the display 108 and the input buttons 110. A memory 204 provides the processor 202 with memory resources and may include banks of RAM, ROM, flash memory, EEPROM, or magnetic memory. A communication interface 206 is included to allow the electronic dart game machine 100 to transmit and receive information, for example, to other electronic dart games networked with the electronic dart game machine 100.

The processor 202 may be implemented with a single processor unit, for example, a processor available from Motorola, Texas Instruments, or Intel. Alternatively, the processor 202 may be implemented with discrete logic, programmable logic, or a combination of a high level processor core and discrete logic. In operation, the processor 202 generally functions according to the tournament software explained below.

Turning now to Figure 3, that figure presents a high level flow diagram 300 of the instructions running in the

electronic dart game machine 100. In general, where the description below indicates data selection or data input, such data selection and data inputs are preferably taken from the input buttons 110, but may also come from the electronic dart targets 104-106. Alternatively, if display 108 is implemented as a touchscreen, the data selection and data inputs may be accomplished by touching the display 108. At step 302, the instructions perform tournament setup, including the selection of the type of tournament. Dart game selection itself occurs at step 304.

Turning briefly to Figure 4, that figure shows an example of a tournament setup screen 400 that is displayed on the display 108 during the tournament setup step 302. The setup screen 400 includes a Tournament Selection box 402, a Dart Game Selection box 404, and a Game Recurrence Input box 406. Also illustrated is a multiple stage tournament chart 408 that the instructions will fill in with paired player identifications as explained below. A Continue box 410 provides the player with a mechanism to proceed to the next step in tournament setup.

Players may enter input or make selections by pressing the input buttons 110 indicated by the boxes on the display 108. Alternatively, if display 108 is

implemented as a touch screen, each of the boxes 402-406 responds appropriately to player touches. Thus, the Tournament Selection box 402, for example, toggles the selected tournament mode between single elimination, double elimination, and round robin (or any other supported tournament mode). As one specific example, the tournament mode may be either 8 player double elimination or the 16 player single elimination.

When the player touches the input button 110 corresponding to the Dart Game Selection box 404, the instructions display a list of dart games (e. g., 301, Cricket, 701) supported by the electronic dart game 100.

One or more of the listed dart games may then be selected for tournament play (step 304). In other words, the instructions alternate between one or more selected dart games during dart game matches that make up the tournament.

When the user touches the input button 110 corresponding to the Game Recurrent Input box 406, the instructions toggle through, or allow the player to provide a game recurrence input menu selection that indicates a minimum number of dart games that make up a dart game match. As examples, the game recurrence input may be 1 game, 2 out of 3,3 out of 5, and the like.

Returning to Figure 3, the instructions perform a

check at steps 306 and 308 to ensure that the player has selected a dart game to be used during the matches. Once the player has selected the tournament mode, game types, and game recurrence, the player touches the input button 110 corresponding to the Continue box 410 to move on to player identification input (step 310). At step 310, the instructions allow the players to input a full name (or other identification). The instructions may also allow the players to input a shorter nickname (for more convenient display in the tournament chart).

Turning briefly to Figure 5, that figure illustrates a player identification input screen 500. The input screen 500 includes a character assignment display 502, Long Name boxes 504, and Nickname boxes 506. Also shown are a Clear Names box 508, a Go-back box 510, and a Continue box 512. Directional arrows 514 are also provided for navigation between the Left Player Identification boxes 516, and the Right Player Identification boxes 518.

Players enter a player identification (e. g., their name) using the electronic dart targets 104,106 as a keypad according to the assignment of characters to dart target segments shown by the character assignment display 502. Both electronic dart targets 104,106 may be used to simultaneously to enter player identifications. Other

input means may also be used, however, including the input buttons 110, an attached keyboard, or the display 108 if it is implemented as a touchscreen.

The directional arrows 514 allow the player to control selection of a particular Player Identification box 516,518. To enter a new Player Identification, the player uses the directional arrows 514 to select an open Player Identification box 516,518, then enters the player identification as noted above. The player may edit or replace an existing identification by selecting the appropriate Player Identification box 516,518 with the directional arrows 514, then using the back-arrow segment to remove all or any portion of the player identification. The Clear Names box 508 removes all names from the Player identification boxes 516,518.

After all the player identifications are input, the player touches the input button 110 corresponding to the Continue box 512. Referring back to Figure 3, the instructions proceed to step 312, at which point the instructions randomize the players identifications, build the tournament chart, and call the matches on the display. Alternatively, the instructions may determine paired player identifications based on handicapping data for at least one player identification (e. g., more skilled players may be paired together first). Note that

when less than all available tournament slots are filled by player identifications, the instructions insert for display BYE entries into the tournament chart associated with player identifications that will receive a BYE in any given round.

Referring to Figure 6, for example, that figure shows an example of an 8-player double elimination tournament chart 600 with inserted BYEs 601. The tournament chart includes paired player identifications 602,604,606, and 608. Note that of the 8 possible player identifications, only 6 are available for play (Dave, Sally, Lout, Pam, Todd, and Mary). Thus, either randomly, by player selection, or according to a predetermined handicap, the instructions assign BYEs in the first round to Lou (paired player identification 604) and Mary (paired player identification 608).

Note also that on a multiple dart target electronic dart game machine, or in a network of electronic dart game machines, the instructions provide an indication on the particular electronic dart target on which a match will be played. For example, Figure 7 shows another view of the 8-player double elimination tournament chart 600.

The tournament chart 600 shows, for example, that the paired player identifications 602 alternate on the display with a first dart game match target indicator

702. Similarly, the paired player identifications 606 alternate on the display with a second dart game match target indicator 704. The target indicators 702,704 may be text or graphic in nature, and provide the players with a visual and/or written indication of which electronic dart target they will play their match. Note also that the instructions automatically moved Lou and Mary into the next round (as they received BYEs).

Figure 7 also shows a Go-back box 706 which may be used to return to the prior tournament setup screen, as well as a Play box 708 which moves the electronic dart game 100 to the next state. In particular, turning to Figure 8, that figure illustrates a credit display 800.

The credit display 800 is presented while the instructions await insertion of the proper number of credits before play begins. Note also that the Forfeit boxes 802 and 804 are provided to allow a player to forfeit a match. When an input button 110 corresponding to Forfeit box 802,804 is touched, the instructions allow the player to choose the forfeiting player's name.

The match will end and the instructions will create an update tournament chart accordingly.

Referring again to Figure 3, the instructions continue at steps 314 and 316. At step 314, the instructions determine whether all matches have been

played (i. e., the tournament is completed). If not, then the instructions monitor the electronic dart targets for dart hits in order to play each dart game in a match, and determine the match winner (step 316). When one or more match winners are known, the instructions create an updated tournament chart to include new paired player identifications indicative of match winners, losers, and BYEs. The updated tournament chart is displayed at step 312, and play continues until all matches are done (step 314).

Figure 9 illustrates an updated tournament chart 900, including new paired player identifications 902, 904,906, and 908.

When the final match is completed, the tournament champion is declared, preferably with an audio-visual presentation (step 318) and the appropriate player identification. Additionally, the instructions subsequently display a player identification ranking at step 320. Figure 10, for example, shows a player identification ranking 1000. The player identification ranking 1000 orders the player identifications to illustrate, for example, the champion, and the second, third, and fourth place players in relative prominence.

The player identification ranking 1000 may be displayed on any suitable output device. For example, the player

identification ranking may be shown on the display 108 or printed in hardcopy from a printer attached to the electronic dart game machine 100.

The tournament mode described above is fully automated and integrated into the electronic dart game 100. Thus, no external management or equipment is required to operate a dart tournament. However, when an additional electronic dart game machine is connected to the electronic dart game machine 100, the tournament instructions may allow the additional dart game to host certain matches in the tournament.

To that end, the instructions may distribute at least one paired player identification, as well as the tournament settings, through the communication interface 206 to the additional electronic dart game (optional step 322). In response, the additional electronic dart game automatically executes the match and determines a match winner. The instructions then receive through the communication interface the match winner transmitted by the additional electronic dart game (optional step 324).

It is also noted that the communication interface 206 may accept other data, including handicapping data.

The instructions then use the handicapping data in the determination of match winners, player pairings, and the like.

The dart tournament instructions detailed above may be implemented as a computer software product. That is, the dart tournament instructions may be stored in a computer readable storage medium to be read by an electronic dart game machine. For example, the instructions may be stored on a ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic card, and the like.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular step, structure, or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.

Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.