Arachnid, Inc.

Eugene G Harlan

John R Martin

Marcio Bonilla

Samuel N Zammuto

Michael L Tillery

Paul F Beall

A method and apparatus for remotely crediting and billing usage of a plurality of electronic entertainment machines situated at different locations. Each electronic entertainment is connected via a transmission link to a billing computer situated at a central billing location. The establishment having an electronic entertainment machine may award credit to the electronic entertainment machine by remote control after a customer has paid for credit or the user can insert money in the machine. Each electronic entertainment machine records the number of credits that have been awarded to the machine. At a predetermined time, the billing computer polls each location via the transmission link, and the electronic entertainment machine at each location transmits credit data to the billing computer. Each location is then billed for the use of their respective electronic entertainment machines as determined by the number of awarded credits. The present invention optionally includes means for remotely activating or deactivating an electronic entertainment machine from the central billing location should the need arise. Also, one machine at a location can be a master and other machines are linked to the master to provide the crediting and billing system for all the location machines.

System for remotely crediting and billing usage of electronic

A target for an electronic dart game including a plurality of slidably mounted scoring segments arranged edge-to-edge and in a circle so as to define different scoring areas. Following a conventional layout for a dart game target, the target has twenty (20) pie-shaped scoring partitions that are placed adjacent to each other so as to form a complete circle. Each partition has a designated score value ranging from one to twenty (1-20) points. Each partition is further divided into the standard three trapezoidal and one pie sub-partitions. In the preferred embodiment, the target further includes a double bull's-eye. A different electrical switch is provided for each scoring segment, and each electrical switch conveys a dart-hit signal in response to its corresponding segment being struck by a thrown dart. Separate and isolated signal lines electronically connected to each switch are provided for communicating the dart-hit signals to processing means of the target. This electronic configuration enables an electronic dart game to support dart games that place a different value on each scoring area, in addition to supporting all contemporary dart games.

Dart game with expanded scoring technique

A method and apparatus for conducting dart leagues or tournaments wherein players participate at multiple remote locations. The present invention provides a plurality of remotely located electronic dart games connected via a communication medium to a central control device enabling bidirectional communication between the central control device and the plurality of remotely located electronic dart games. The invention in a preferred embodiment enables players to participate in a dart league or tournament from various locations, however, it is possible for the plurality of electronic dart games to be at one location. Each electronic dart game is capable of receiving data from and transmitting data to player cards. Each dart game player has a player card that identifies a player to a respective dart game, and the player card also stores player data and game statistics. A master dart game is located at each remote location. The master dart game interfaces with each of the non-master dart games at that remote location. The master dart game stores statistical data received from the non-master dart games. The central control device polls each master dart game at each remote location at a predetermined time so as to upload and assimilate current statistical data from each remote location. The central control device then calculates the current standing of each player and downloads player standings to each remote location. The standings of the players can be displayed at each remote location via a portable display.

System for automatic collection and distribution of player statistics

An electronic dart game capable of being played by sight-impaired persons. The game includes a dart face forming a target for darts thrown by the players, the dart face including a plurality of scoring segments. An electronic processor is associated with the dart face for detecting a hit segment and determining the value of the segment which has been hit. An audible announcing device is associated with the processor and is responsive to the processor for audibly announcing sufficient information to direct and score the game without the need for viewing of visible indicators. As a further feature of the invention, as rollout mat is provided having an integral throwing line and affixed to the cabinet. In one condition, the rollout mat is completely stored within the cabinet and in the other can be simply rolled out to automatically position the throwing line, the throwing line being physically perceptible by a sight-impaired person to locate him with respect to the target face.

Electronic dart game

In an electronic dartboard game having a visual display for providing players with game scores and the like, an apparatus for providing a customized image on the visual display when the electronic dartboard game is not in use is provided having, a processor operable in first or second modes. The first mode is responsive to game conditions for providing scoring information and the like to the visual display. The second mode is responsive to a manual input device for providing a customized image on the visual display. Additionally, there is provided an apparatus for transferring the processor from the first mode to the second and returning the processor to the first mode after the customized image has been entered.

Growing community of inventors

Rockford, IL, United States of America

Eugene G Harlan