Detector System for Object Movement in a Game

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

This invention relates to sports or games generally and more specifically to board, lane or field games wherein objects are rolled or slid over a horizontal plane.

An analysis of considerations which relate to games such as those using a Cathode Ray Tube or other type of display is contained in my aforementioned application. As disclosed therein, games involving ball rolling or sliding objects usually involve a player hitting or rolling the ball or sliding object towards a hole or some target. For instance, bowling requires a person to aim a bowling ball down a lane towards a group of pins standing at the far end of the lane. There typically are gutters on both sides of the lane that catch an errant shot and prevent the ball from the lane that catch an errant shot and prevent the ball from contacting any pins. The object of the game is to have the bowling ball knock down as many pins as possible. An advanced technique of putting a spin on the bowling ball so that it curves into the pins allows better bowlers to knock down more pins. Some examples of bowling games are:

(a) Full scale bowling usually entails a specially oiled wooden floor of twenty five feet or more in length. There usually are ten pins, each over a foot tall weighing several pounds. A bowling ball weighing up to 16 pounds is used. The pins that are knocked down have to be cleared and reset into position. The ball has to be returned to the bowler.

(b) Table top versions of bowling may use a scaled down lane, pins and balls. The ball still has to be returned, the pins cleared and reset.

(c) Another table top version uses a sliding disc with contact switches embedded in the lane underneath pins that fold-down from above the lane. There is enough clearance between the pins and the switches for the disc to slide between. When the disc contacts a switch certain pins fold up which relates to knocking down pins in regulation bowling. The bowler does not benefit from spinning the disc. The disc is returned to the bowler by bouncing off a rubber bumper located at the end of the lane.

(d) Video versions of bowling typically display the lane, pins and ball on the monitor. The player uses joy sticks and switches to control the speed, direction and spin of the ball. One variation of the joy stick is a captured ball embedded in the console. When this ball is spun, detectors inside the console encode the rotational movement which is converted by a microprocessor into projected ball movement on the screen.

Each of these devices have certain limitations. The full scale bowling as described in (a) above requires a lot of space and a sizeable monetary expense for the equipment. Repairs and maintenance for the pin setting and ball return mechanisms and the lane upkeep are needed constantly.

The scaled down bowling game as described in (b) above requires that the pins be cleared and set. In most cases, the way that the pins react to the ball striking them does not duplicate the way it happens in the full scale bowling version.

The sliding disc table top version as described in (c) above limits the problems of pin clearing and setting. However, there are many moving parts which leads to constant breakdown from wear and tear. The aiming and sliding of the disc does not simulate the motion of throwing the full scale bowling ball. Spinning, which is used by experienced bowlers in (a) and (b), does not come into play when using a disc. A skilled bowler of full scale bowling is not necessarily a skilled disc bowler.

Video versions as described in (d) above alleviate the problems of pin clearing and setting. These are handled with the game software. Controlling the ball speed, direction and spin with joy sticks, spinning balls and switches does not simulate the motion of throwing the full scale bowling ball. Eye-hand coordination and finger dexterity are required to be skillful with joy sticks, spinning balls and switches. The rhythmic, pendulum swing of a typical bowler does not come into play at all. A skilled bowler of full scale bowling is not necessarily a skilled manipulator of joy sticks, spinning ball and switches.

In applicant's recently issued U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,687 a sensor arrangement is disclosed which effectively measures variations in roll patterns from a reference line for games such as golf, pool or the like involving movement across a horizontal plane. The ball or object generally, although not necessarily, starts at a point along the reference line.

In certain variations of these and other games it is often desired that the ball or object start from a variety of positions. Moreover, in many of these variations the moving object may travel in a path which is not a straight, e.g. a "hooked" path as in bowling.

It is a general object of the invention of my aforementioned prior application to provide a movement detection system that operates independent of the starting point for the object moving.

It is a related object of the invention of my aforementioned prior application to provide a detection system that senses movement in a path that may be other than a straight line.

It is a more specific object of the invention of my aforementioned prior application to provide a game system that measures object paths without moving parts or complicated mechanical or electromechanical sensors.

This invention has the general object of providing forth improvements, particularly with regard to realistically displaying movements of balls or the like.

The foregoing objects are provided in an interface that would allow any game that propels a rolling or sliding object towards a target to be merged with a video display while still using the typical motions and devices to propel the object. Means are provided to accurately determine the speed and direction of the propelled object accurately with a non-intrusive means. Key components involved in determining direction are the position of the propelled object in relation to the center position, the angle of the propelled object's path and any curving nature of the propelled object's path. Path detection is achieved by pairs of optical detectors arranged for scanning the object plane. Two pair of such detectors detect straight line movement independent of origin, while a third pair of such detectors measures curved path movement.

The preferred embodiment of the invention illustrates the application of the detection means as used in a bowling game. One variation of the preferred embodiment is the disc sliding bowling. This version does not require the determination of any curving component of the disc's path.

Another version of the preferred embodiment incorporates a shortened full-scale bowling lane. The bowler uses a standard bowling ball. Instead of actual bowling pins being at the end of the lane, there is a video monitor that would have displayed a graphical representation of the bowling pins. At the end of the bowling lane where actual pins would normally be positioned, there is a sensor housing. It is large enough for an actual bowling ball to roll through and it has the sensors positioned at 1/2 the height of the actual bowling ball.

The invention is readily applied to games using a cue ball as the propelled object, such as pocket billiards, snooker, billiards, bumper pool, and many other varieties. A regular cue ball and cue stick is preferably used in order to retain the "feel" of the game. A short runway covered with felt serves as the surface where the cue ball is positioned to be struck by the cue. A video monitor is placed just above and beyond the sensor housing. The cue ball is aligned with a spot on the video monitor and it is propelled towards the video monitor, rolling through the sensor housing. A return chute is positioned at the end of the sensor housing which returns the cue ball to the pool player. The speed, direction and path information is detected, calculated and output to video control circuitry.

The information may be utilized in a variety of ways. In the preferred embodiment, the video control circuitry translates it to a display of the cue ball on the screen following the same relative path position, movement and speed. The displayed, moving ball continues until it hits a bumper, another pool ball or goes into a pocket, depending upon the design of video displayed game.

Skee ball is another game that readily adapts to the application of the invention. Skee ball is basically a game where a ball is rolled toward a tilted target of circular containers, smaller containers inside larger ones until the final centered container is not much larger than the diameter of the ball. The object is to get the ball to roll up a ramp into the middle small containers which score more points than the larger containers.

A skee ball game incorporating the application of the invention could have as one version a shortened ramp similar to a skee ball ramp. Instead of having the actual circular targets, there is a video monitor where the skee ball circular targets is graphically represented. The skee ball rolls towards the video monitor and passes through a sensor housing. The ball movement is detected, analyzed and converted to a form acceptable by the video control circuitry, which then projects a moving ball onto the video monitor.

Shuffleboard is another game that readily adapts to the application of the invention. Shuffleboard is a game in which a disc-like object is propelled from one end of a lane to the other ( a length of approximately 20 feet ) with a pushing motion on a stick that cradles the disc. A shorter, table version using hand-propelled metal discs is also popular. The object is to have the disc push an opponent's discs off of designated point areas and or have the propelled disc stop inside a designated point area.

The shuffleboard game that has the invention incorporated into it could have as versions a full scale version or some scaled table top version. In the full scale version, a flooring representing the shuffleboard lane is used but it is not as long as the typical shuffleboard lane. There is only one end with designated point areas, and this end has a video monitor present and a sensor housing that allows the sliding disc to travel through. The scaled table version is similar but the lane is elevated and a smaller disc and shuffleboard stick are used. In all of these games a suitable ball or object return mechanism can be provided by one skilled in the art.

The variety of games possible with the present invention is endless. Marbles is another example of a game that can use the application of the invention.

The present invention incorporates a graphics means which realistically displays a rolling ball or the like. The present invention also realistically displays collisions with balls or the like and bumpers or other obstacles.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game constructed in accordance with the invention, the game being illustrated in use with a bowling ball.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the sensor enclosure portion of FIG. 1 containing the infrared sensor positioning along with an illustration of the associated optical beams.

FIG. 3 is an overhead view of four typical paths of a bowling ball inside the sensor housing and how these paths intersect the sensor beams.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart/block diagram depicting how the sensor output gets converted to distance slope, and curvature information and output to the video control circuitry.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the circuitry of the game shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a game constructed in accordance with the invention, the game being illustrated in use with a pool ball.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged graphical representation showing all the cue ball orientations needed to display angular and straight path movement of a cue ball on the video monitor.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged graphical representation showing all the bowling ball orientations needed to display angular and straight path movement of a bowling ball on the video monitor.

FIG. 9a and 9b together provide a flow chart/block diagram depicting how the software decides how to display on the video monitor the object movement data received from the signal processing circuitry.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a typical sequence of cue ball displays on a video monitor.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference number 1 designates the sensor housing. The top, left wall and right wall of the enclosure 1 are respectively designated 1a, 1b and 1c. In the right wall 1c of the sensor housing 1 are located the infrared emitters and detectors 2 and in the left wall 1b are located the corresponding infrared detectors and emitters 3. A bowling ball 4 is shown at the usual starting area on the bowling surface 5. Above and behind the sensor housing 1 is a video monitor 6. On the top wall of the sensor housing 1a are points of reference 7 and 8. Presented graphically on the video monitor 6 is a representation of a bowling alley 9, which includes an assorted number of bowling pins 9a, a left gutter 9b and right gutter 9c and the left edge of the bowling alley 9d and the right edge of the bowling alley 9e. Point of reference 7 aligns with the left edge of the bowling alley display 9d and point of reference 8 aligns with the right edge of the bowling alley 9e. The bowling surface 5, the sensor housing 1 and the video monitor 6 are attached to the top of the game cabinetry 10. On the bowling surface 5 between the sensor housing 1 and the base of the video monitor 6, there is an opening into the game cabinetry 10 . After a bowling ball 4 has rolled through the sensor housing 1 it falls into the opening onto a chute that is angled from back to front. At the end of the game cabinetry 10 farthest from the video monitor 6 is an opening 10a where the chute ends and the bowling ball 4 returns.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the positioning of the optical sensors within the sensor housing 1. The sensors are all positioned above the bowling surface 5 by 1/2 the diameter of the bowling ball 4. Beam 24 comprises the light traveling from the infrared emitter 14 across to infrared detector 13. Beam 26 comprises the light traveling from the infrared emitter 18 across to infrared detector 17. Beam 28 comprises the light traveling from the infrared emitter 22 across to infrared detector 21. As the illustration shows, beam 24, beam 26 and beam 28 are parallel to one another. Beam 23 comprises the light traveling from the infrared emitter 11 across to infrared detector 12. Beam 23 bisects beam 24 at its mid-point and extends angularly with respect thereto. Beam 25 comprises the light traveling from the infrared emitter 15 across to infrared detector 16. Beam 25 bisects beam 26 at its midpoint and extends angularly with respect thereto. Beam 27 comprises the light traveling from the infrared emitter 19 across to infrared detector 20. Beam 27 bisects beam 28 at its mid-point and extends angularly with respect thereto. By positioning only emitters next to detectors lessens any possible interference from other beams.

The object path or trajectory is determined in three steps using multiple parallel reference beams and corresponding intersecting beams at acute angles. First it is determined whether the reference line is broken to the right or left of center. Then the point of actual intersection of the reference is determined by measuring deviation from the center. Finally the points of intersection of the respective reference lines are compared to define a line of movement for the ball. In addition, speed and surface resistance can be measured.

If the bowling ball 4 has broken the light of beam 23 before it has broken the light of beam 24 then the bowling ball 4 is traveling left of the mid-point of beam 24. If the bowling ball 4 has broken the light of beam 24 before it has broken the light of beam 23 then the bowling ball 4 is traveling right of the mid-point of beam 24. If the bowling ball 4 has broken the light of beam 23 and beam 24 at precisely the same time, then the bowling ball 4 is traveling on the mid-point of beam 24. By utilizing the ratio of the time the bowling ball 4 takes to travel from beam 23 to beam 26 and the time the bowling ball 4 takes to travel between beam 24 and beam 26 the invention can ascertain the amount of distance that the bowling ball 4 has deviated from the mid-point of beam 24.

If the bowling ball 4 has broken the light of beam 25 before it has broken the light of beam 26 then the bowling ball 4 is traveling left of the mid-point of beam 26. If the bowling ball 4 has broken beam 26 before it has broken beam 25 then the bowling ball 4 is traveling right of the mid-point of beam 26. If the bowling ball 4 has broken the light of beam 25 and beam 26 at precisely the same time, then the bowling ball 4 is traveling on the mid-point of beam 26. By utilizing the ratio of the time the bowling ball 4 takes to travel from beam 24 to beam 25 and the time the bowling ball 4 takes to travel between beam 24 and beam 26 the invention can ascertain the amount of distance that the bowling ball 4 has deviated from the mid-point of beam 26.

If the bowling ball 4 has broken the light of beam 27 before it has broken the light of beam 28 then the bowling ball 4 is traveling left of the mid-point of beam 28. If the bowling ball 4 has broken the light of beam 28 before it has broken the light of beam 27 then the bowling ball 4 is traveling right of the mid-point of beam 28. If the bowling ball 4 has broken the light of beam 27 and beam 28 at precisely the same time, then the bowling ball 4 is traveling on the mid-point of beam 28. By utilizing the ratio of the time the bowling ball 4 takes to travel from beam 26 to beam 27 and the time the bowling ball 4 takes to travel between beam 26 and beam 28 the invention can ascertain the amount of distance that the bowling ball 4 has deviated from the mid-point of beam 28.

Having determined the points of intersection of the beams 24, 26 and 28, the path of movement is defined. By utilizing pairs of infrared emitters and detectors the movement of a bowling ball 4 that is rolled by a bowler can be detected without any contact between ball and sensor and without the use of any foreign substance.

By ascertaining the time it takes the bowling ball 4 to travel between the parallel beams 24 and 26, or the parallel beams 26 and 28, and knowing the angle of the path relative to those beams, the invention translates this time into the speed of the moving bowling ball 4. By comparing the time it takes the bowling ball 4 to travel between the parallel beams 24 and 26 to the time it takes the bowling ball 4 to travel between the parallel beams 26 and 28, the invention can ascertain the rate at which the bowling ball 4 is slowing down, which is a measure of surface friction or resistance. The amount of distance that the bowling ball 4 has deviated from the mid-point of beam 28, which is the parallel beam farthest from the starting point in the preferred embodiment, is used as the initial columnar position of the graphic presentation of the bowling ball on the video monitor 6.

In the preferred embodiment, by comparing the amount of distance that the bowling ball 4 has deviated from the mid-point of beam 24 with the amount of distance that the bowling ball 4 has deviated from the mid-point of beam 26 and with the amount of distance that the bowling ball 4 has deviated from the mid-point of beam 28, the invention can determine the angle and curvature of the bowling ball 4 movement.

In a variation of the invention, one in which the moving projectile would be expected to move in a straight path, beams 23 and 24 would not be necessary. The sensor housing could then be smaller. A pool game using a rolling cue ball or a bowling game using a sliding disc could fall under this variation.

FIG. 3 is an overhead view showing the outline of the sensor housing 1. It illustrates how a ball following a path f1 29 starting left of center and angling toward the right and a ball hit straight on a path f2 30 and a ball's path f3 31 that is hit right of center and is angling toward the right and a ball's path f4 32 that is starting right of center and is curving left over center each intersect the six beams, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28. Path f1 29 intersects beam 23 at point 33 prior to intersecting beam 24 at point 34, which indicates that it is on a path left of center. It then intersects beam 25 at point 35 prior to intersecting beam 26 at point 36, which indicates that it is continuing on a path left of center. It then intersects beam 27 at point 37 prior to intersecting beam 28 at point 38, which indicates that it is continuing on a path left of center. Path f2 30 intersects beam 23 and 24 at the same point 39 and intersects beams 25 and 26 at the same point 40 and intersects beams 27 and 28 at the same point 41, which indicates that it is a straight path down the center. Path f3 31 intersects beam 24 at point 42 prior to intersecting beam 23 at point 43, which indicates that it is on a path right of center. It then intersects beam 26 at point 44 prior to intersecting beam 25 at point 45, which indicates that it is continuing on a path right of center. It then intersects beam 28 at point 46 prior to intersecting beam 27 at point 47, which indicates that it is continuing on a path right of center. Path f4 32 intersects beam 24 at point 48 prior to intersecting beam 23 at point 49, which indicates that it is on a path right of center. It then intersects beam 26 at point 50 prior to intersecting beam 25 at point 51, which indicates that it is continuing on a path right of center. It then intersects beam 27 at point 52 prior to intersecting beam 28 at point 53, which indicates that it has crossed over on a path left of center.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating how the sensor information from infrared detectors 12, 13, 16, 17, 20 and 21 (signals b1 57, b2 54, b3 70, b4 56, b5 81 and b6 79 respectively) is converted into a final output. A clock input 55 increments six up counters 59, 60, 71, 72, 82 and 83 to create count C1 61, C2 62, C3 73, C4 74, C5 84 and C6 85 respectively. The C1 Count 61, is the result of detector signal b2 54 starting the up counter 59 and b4 56 stopping same. C1 61 is then converted to a number at 63 relative to the speed of the bowling ball 4. The number 63 is adjusted for the slope of the object path 88 to obtain object speed at 93. The number 63 is then output to the video control circuitry 91. The C2 Count 62 is the result of b1 57 starting the up counter 60 and b 4 56 stopping same. C2 62 is then compared to C1 61 to arrive at the position relating to center (direction), as indicated at 64. The ratio of C1 61 over C2 62 is then converted to a direction distance number 65 relative to the distance of the ball's path left or right of center. The C3 Count 73, is the result of detector signal b2 54 starting the up counter 71 and b4 56 stopping same. The C4 Count 74 is the result of b2 54 starting the up counter 72 and b3 70 stopping same. C4 74 is then compared to C3 73 to arrive at the position relating to center (direction), as indicated at 75. The ratio of C3 73 over C4 74 is then converted to a direction distance number 76 relative to the distance of the ball's path left or right of center. The direction distance number 65 is then compared with the direction distance number 76 at 88 to come up with the slope of the ball path between beam 23, 24 and beam 26, 25. The C5 Count 84, is the result of detector signal b4 56 starting the up counter 82 and b6 79 stopping same. The C6 Count 85 is the result of b4 56 starting the up counter 83 and b5 81 stopping same. C6 85 is then compared to C5 84 to arrive at the position relating to center (direction), as indicated at 86. The ratio of C5 84 over C6 85 is then converted to a direction distance number 87 relative to the distance of the ball's path left or right of center. The direction distance number 76 is then output to the video control circuitry 91. The direction distance number 76 is then compared with the direction distance number 87 at 89 to come up with the slope of the ball path between beams 26, 25 and beams 28, 27. The slope 89 is then output to the video control circuitry 91. The slope 88 is then compared with the slope 89 to come up with a number representing the ball path curvature 90. The ball path curvature number 90 is then output to the video control circuitry 91. After the video control circuity receives all the output 91, the activity then reverts back to the six up counters 59, 60, 71, 72, 82 and 83.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the circuitry of the invention. The principal element of the circuit is a signal processing circuit 118, which is preferably a microprocessor. Inputs 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 and 117 to the processor 118 come from each of the beam detection channels described below.

Turning first to the beam detection channels, the infrared emitting diode 11 beams radiation in the direction of infrared detector 12. As long as the radiation is not interrupted, the input 112 to the signal processing circuitry 118 is set at 0. If the radiation is interrupted by a moving bowling ball 4, the infrared detector 12 output falls towards zero volts. This change of voltage is inverted and amplified in amplifier 100. The altered voltage is then compared in a threshold detector 106 with a threshold voltage set at a trigger point and, if the altered voltage is greater than the trigger point voltage, then an input 112 of 5 volts is delivered to the signal processing circuitry 118. Similarly, the infrared emitting diode 14 beams radiation in the direction of infrared detector 13. As long as the radiation is not interrupted, the input 113 to the signal processing circuitry 118 is set at 0. If the radiation is interrupted by a moving bowling ball 4, the infrared detector 13 output falls towards zero volts. This change of voltage is inverted and amplified in amplifier 101. The altered voltage is then compared in a threshold detector 107 with a threshold voltage set at a trigger point and, if the altered voltage is greater than the trigger point voltage, then an input 113 of 5 volts is delivered to the signal processing circuitry 118. Similarly, the infrared emitting diode 15 beams radiation in the direction of infrared detector 16. As long as the radiation is not interrupted, the input 114 to the signal processing circuitry 118 is set at 0. If the radiation is interrupted by a moving bowling ball 4, the infrared detector 16 output falls towards zero volts. This change of voltage is inverted and amplified in amplifier 102. The altered voltage is then compared in a threshold detector 108 with a threshold voltage set at a trigger point and, if the altered voltage is greater than the trigger point voltage, then an input 114 of 5 volts is delivered to the signal processing circuitry 118. Similarly, the infrared emitting diode 18 beams radiation in the direction of infrared detector 17. As long as the radiation is not interrupted, the input 115 to the signal processing circuitry 118 is set at 0. If the radiation is interrupted by a moving bowling ball 4, the infrared detector 17 output falls towards zero volts. This change of voltage is inverted and amplified in amplifier 103. The altered voltage is then compared in a threshold detector 109 with a threshold voltage set at a trigger point and, if the altered voltage is greater than the trigger point voltage, then an input 115 of 5 volts is delivered to the signal processing circuitry 118. Similarly, the infrared emitting diode 19 beams radiation in the direction of infrared detector 20. As long as the radiation is not interrupted, the input 116 to the signal processing circuitry 118 is set at 0. If the radiation is interrupted by a moving bowling ball 4, the infrared detector 20 output falls towards zero volts. This change of voltage is inverted and amplified in amplifier 104. The altered voltage is then compared in a threshold detector 110 with a threshold voltage set at a trigger point and, if the altered voltage is greater than the trigger point voltage, then an input 116 of 5 volts is delivered to the signal processing circuitry 118. Similarly, the infrared emitting diode 22 beams radiation in the direction of infrared detector 21. As long as the radiation is not interrupted, the input 117 to the signal processing circuitry 118 is set at 0. If the radiation is interrupted by a moving bowling ball 4, the infrared detector 21 output falls towards zero volts. This change of voltage is inverted and amplified in amplifier 105. The altered voltage is then compared in a threshold detector 111 with a threshold voltage set at a trigger point and, if the altered voltage is greater than the trigger point voltage, then an input 117 of 5 volts is delivered to the signal processing circuitry 118.

The signal processing circuitry 118 in a variation of the invention, one in which the moving projectile would be expected to move in a straight path, one in which beams 23 and 24 would not be necessary, is an Intel Microprocessor chip, D8749, containing the following hexadecimal machine code (Copyright 1990, Daniel J. Dooley):

The foregoing code is used by the microprocessor to assimilate all the inputs and convert them to an output form (in the general manner shown and described above in connection with FIG. 4), which is sent to video control circuitry 119 (which may include a microprocessor or be an entire computer system).

A variation of the invention is a device that uses a similar sensor housing and sensor arrangement. The output from the sensors however, are sent via cable to an input port (a joy stick port, for instance) of a personal computer of a video game system (such as ones built by Nintendo or Sega). The personal computer or video game system has running software that makes all the necessary computations and calculations necessary to come up with distance and direction. For personal computers or video game systems that lack an adequate means to time the sensor information in a precise and accurate fashion, electronics would be available on the invention that would convert the sensor information to distance and direction data and in turn would convey this data to the personal computer or video game system via a serial link.

Another variation of the invention would be an arcade-style machine that would allow a person to play the game after paying money. In essence the arcade-like machine would incorporate the same positioning and use of the sensors as the other variations of the invention did.

Another variation of the invention would be the use of pressure-sensitive strips, momentary contact-like switches or upwardly pointing light emitters/detectors, laid across the width of the sensor housing in much the same pattern as the optical beams but positioned on top of or imbedded into the surface. When the propelled ball or sliding disc rolls across the strips, switches or emitters/detectors, information corresponding to the optical sensors' output used in the preferred embodiment of the invention would be attained.

Referring to FIG. 6, reference number 201 designates the sensor housing. The top, left wall and right wall of the enclosure 201 are respectively designated 201a, 201b and 201c. In the right wall 201c of the sensor housing 201 are located the infrared emitters and detectors (not shown in FIG. 6) and in the left wall 201b are located the corresponding infrared detectors and emitters located in a housing. A pool cue ball 204 is shown at the usual starting area on the pool surface 205, typically green felt. Above and behind the sensor housing 201 is a video monitor 206. On the top wall of the sensor housing 201a are point of references 207 and 208. Presented graphically on the video monitor 206 is a representation of a pool table 209, which includes a left bumper (or cushion) 209f, a top bumper 209g and a right bumper 209c.

Outside of the bumpers, in the portion of the pool table 209d that is an extension of the bumpers 209f, 209g and 209c and is typically made of wood or plastic are diamond shaped aiming points 209e. The area bounded by the right edge of the left bumper 209f 209b, the lower edge of the top bumper 209g 209i, the left edge of the right bumper 209c 209a and the upper edge of the lower bumper (which is not displayed on the video monitor ) 209h is displayed in the same color as the pool surface 205 and is typically green. This is the area in which the cue ball drawings are displayed. Point of reference 207 aligns with the right edge of the left bumper 209b and point of reference 208 aligns with the left edge of the right bumper 209a.

The pool surface 205, the sensor housing 201 and the video monitor 206 are attached to the top of the game cabinetry 210. On the pool surface 205 between the sensor housing 201 and the base of the video monitor 206, there is an opening into the game cabinetry 210. After a cue ball 204 has rolled through the sensor housing 201 it falls into the opening onto a chute that is angled from back to front. At the end of the game cabinetry 210 farthest from the video monitor 206 is an opening 210a where the chute ends and the cue ball 204 returns to.

There is a left ball guard 211b and a right ball guard 211a on the sides of the pool surface 205. The left ball guard 211b is located between the left side of the sensor housing 201b and the left front edge of the game cabinetry 210. The right ball guard 211a is located between the right side of the sensor housing 201c and the right front edge of the game cabinetry 210. These guards 211a and 211b are to prevent any cue ball miss-hits dropping the cue ball 204 onto the ground.

Typically, a video monitor is positioned so that the width is larger than the height. For the typical pool game, however, the video monitor 206 is rotated 90 degrees so the height is larger than the width. The video monitor 206 is usually tilted back to aid the pool player with depth perception.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged graphical representation of all the cue ball orientations needed to display angular and straight path movement of a cue ball on the video monitor. All of these orientations have a red circle of similar size positioned at a different point within the cue ball.

These orientations relate to the Motorola 68000 Assembly Source Code listing that is included in this application. The source code listing of these orientations was developed on a Atari ST computer where the display is wider than it is high. Thus the representation of the top of the pool table on the Atari monitor is at the left. The labeling used in the source code listings follows this convention.

The cue ball drawing 212 has the red mark located in the upper left section of the cue ball (as displayed on the video monitor 206 ). The source code listing of it is labeled "Red mark Lower Left" and also uses labels that have extensions of ".sub.-- 11".

The cue ball drawing 213 has the red mark located in the upper middle section of the cue ball (as displayed on the video monitor 206 ). The source code listing of it is labeled "Red mark High Middle" and also uses labels that have extensions of ".sub.-- hm".

The cue ball drawing 214 has the red mark located in the upper right section of the cue ball (as displayed on the video monitor 206 ). The source code listing of it is labeled "Red mark High Left" and also uses labels that have extensions of ".sub.-- hl".

The cue ball drawing 215 has the red mark located in the middle section of the cue ball (as displayed on the video monitor 206 ). The source code listing of it is labeled "YELLOW CUE BALL W/ MIDDLE RED SPOT" and also uses labels that have extensions of ".sub.-- mm".

The cue ball drawing 216 has the red mark located in the lower left section of the cue ball (as displayed on the video monitor 206 ). The source code listing of it is labeled "Red mark Lower Right" and also uses labels that have extensions of ".sub.-- lr".

The cue ball drawing 217 has the red mark located in the lower middle section of the cue ball (as displayed on the video monitor 206 ). The source code listing of it is labeled "Red mark Lower Middle" and also uses labels that have extensions of ".sub.-- lm".

The cue ball drawing 218 has the red mark located in the lower right section of the cue ball (as displayed on the video monitor 206 ). The source code listing of it is labeled "Red mark High Right" and also uses labels that have extensions of ".sub.-- hr".

FIG. 8 illustrates the same ball orientations shown in FIG. 7 but in this case the ball is a bowling ball and the marks are finger holes typically found in a bowling ball. The orientations at 219-225 correspond to the similar orientations at 212-218 in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9a and 9b together provide a flow chart/block diagram depicting the software decision process used to display on the video monitor the object movement data received from the signal processing circuitry. This program takes the cue ball movement data and translates it into a visual moving cue ball that has the actions of a struck cue ball, rotating while moving on a pocketless pool table. Any bouncing off of bumpers will be displayed and the cue ball's movement will gradually slow down until it rests at one spot on the table.

As shown in FIG. 9a, the operating system of the computer used in the video control circuitry is initialized 226 so that it is in the graphics mode with 2 separate memory locations set up as display pages. A digital representation of the pool table is loaded into each of the display page memory locations 227. The digital representation may be transferred from a disk, a tape or a ROM or RAM location. The pool table picture will serve as background to the viewer of the video display. The inner edges of it's bumpers will also serve as the visual boundaries for the moving pool ball on the display 206.

Display page 1 will be displayed 228. Initially, it will be a display of just the pool table. The player strikes the cue ball 204 with a pool cue and it travels through the sensor housing 201. The inputs from the sensors are converted by the signal processing circuitry 118. The data relating to the cue ball movement is transferred via a parallel port to the video control circuitry 119 and is stored by the program 229. The transferred data is analyzed 230.

If the data is not in the proper form 231 it signifies that possibly the ball was miss-hit or the sensor system, signal processing circuitry or the parallel transfer system malfunctioned. At this point the program is aborted and control of the computer is returned to the operating system 232.

If the cue ball movement data is in the proper form 233 then the process of displaying the cue ball on the video monitor 206 will begin.

The sequence of cue ball orientations is first determined 234 by the angle of movement path. Initially all video ball movement is from bottom to top. If the angle signifies a ball movement from right to left the display sequence would follow 218, 215 and 212. This would have the red dot alternately moving from the lower right portion of the cue ball 218 to center 215 to the upper left portion of the cue ball 212. This sequence of cue ball display works in conjunction with the cue ball screen movement on the right to left angled path to give the viewer a realistic feel of a moving pool ball.

The initial cue ball display coordinates is determined 235 using the direction distance number that relates to the sensor inputs closest to the video monitor 206. The cue ball picture as determined at 234 is drawn on display page 2 236 so that it starts out at the bottom of the screen.

As shown in FIG. 9b, the video display circuitry is then switched to display the draw page 237 (which was display page 2 ). At this point the previous display page turns into the current draw page 238.

There is a need for a delay so that the user's eyes can pick up the display representations. This delay is also increased periodically 239 to enhance the effect of cue ball movement slowing down over time. An actual pool ball moving on a pool table slows down and eventually stops because of surface and air friction working against it.

The delay is generated 240 by having a short software sequence of known time duration executed repeatedly for a set number of times. This delay could be generated by a number of other means which could include use of a hardware counter circuitry.

The current draw page is cleared of any previous cue ball representations by drawing a picture 241 of the same size as the cue ball but in the color of the background table surface, which is green. This green shape is drawn using the previous coordinates of the cue ball display position, as differed from the coordinates used for the cue ball display on the current display page.

The next display coordinates of the cue ball are calculated 246. The speed data of the movement path is used along with the angle of path movement, any curving data and the previous position of the cue ball display. As the display sequence continues, the magnitude of coordinate path change lessens. This enhances the visual effect of the cue ball slowing down.

The calculated display coordinates are then examined to see if they would leave the cue ball entirely on the display playing surface 247. The display playing surface is defined as the area bounded by the right edge of the left bumper 209f 209b, the lower edge of the top bumper 209g 209i, the left edge of the right bumper 209c 209a and the upper edge of the lower bumper (which is not displayed on the video monitor ) 209h.

If the new coordinates are within the display playing surface 248, then the cue ball display sequence is updated to the next representation 261. The cue ball representation is then drawn at the new coordinates 262 and the software loops back to changing the video control circuitry so that the draw page is now displayed 237.

If the new coordinates are outside of the display playing surface 249, then the new coordinates need to be changed so that the cue ball is displayed next to the intersected bumper 250 at the point the projected path intersects the bumper.

It has to be determined if the projected path intersects the top bumper on line 209i 251. If it does 252, then the cue ball display sequence is altered so that the sequence follows an upper to lower pattern 260. An example is a straight path movement that would have as it's prior cue ball display sequence a cue ball with the red circle in it's lower center area 217, a centered red circle cue ball 215 and then a cue ball with the red circle in it's upper middle area 213.

The sequence would now change to 213, 215, 217. This change enhances the visual effect of the cue ball path changing directions. The cue ball display sequence is then updated to the next representation 261. The cue ball representation is then drawn at the new coordinates 262 and the software loops back to changing the video control circuitry so that the draw page is now displayed 237.

If the projected display path did not intersect the top bumper 253 then a determination is made concerning the intersecting of the bottom bumper 254 on the display line 209h.

If it does 255, then the cue ball display sequence is altered so that the sequence follows a lower to upper pattern 259. An example is a right to left path movement that would have as it's prior cue ball display sequence a cue ball with the red circle in it's upper right area 214, a centered red circle cue ball 215 and then a cue ball with the red circle in it's lower left area 216.

The sequence would now change to lower right circle placement 218, centered 215, upper left circle placement 212. This change enhances the visual effect of the cue ball path changing directions. The cue ball display sequence is then updated to the next representation 261. The cue ball representation is then drawn at the new coordinates 262 and the software loops back to changing the video control circuitry so that the draw page is now displayed 237.

If the projected path intersection was not of the top or bottom bumper then one of the side bumpers at a point on line 209b or 209a was intersected 257. The cue ball display sequence is altered so that the sequence changes from a left to right pattern to a right to left pattern or from a right to left pattern to a left to right pattern 258. An example is a right to left, downward (top of screen to bottom) path movement that would have as it's prior cue ball display sequence a cue ball with the red circle in it's upper right area 214, a centered red circle cue ball 215 and then a cue ball with the red circle in it's lower left area 216. The sequence would now change to upper left circle placement 212, centered 215, lower right circle placement 218.

The cue ball display sequence is then updated to the next representation 261. The cue ball representation is then drawn at the new coordinates 262 and the software loops back to changing the video control circuitry so that the draw page is now displayed 237.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a typical sequence of cue ball displays on a video monitor. A pool table 209 is represented and includes the area where the cue ball can be displayed, which is referred to as the playing surface. The playing surface is limited by the upper edge of the lower bumper (not visible) 209h, which is located at the bottom of the display. The playing surface is also limited by the right edge of the left bumper 209b, the left edge of the right bumper 209a and the lower edge of the top bumper 209i.

Cue ball representation 263 is the initial display of a cue ball at the bottom of the display. The initial horizontal position is right of center and the object movement data indicates a left to right path movement. The initial cue ball display has a centered red circle 215.

The next cue ball representation 264 follows the defined angle path of the object movement data. The next cue ball display in the sequence is used, which has the red circle in the upper right section of the cue ball 214.The cue ball representation 265 continues on the defined angle path of the object movement data. The next cue ball display in the sequence is used, which has the red circle in the lower left section of the cue ball 216. The next cue ball representation 266 follows the defined angle path of the object movement data. The next cue ball display in the sequence is used, which has the red circle centered in the cue ball 215.

Cue ball representation 267 is displayed so that it's right edge is next to the right bumper 209a 273. The coordinates for the cue ball were either at the bumper's left edge or into the bumper area 209d. By displaying the cue ball next to the bumper, the invention gives the visual effect of the cue ball momentarily being absorbed by the bumper's rubber-like material before rebounding away. The cue ball display sequence has now changed because the ball's path movement has gone to a right to left direction. The cue ball display is now one in which the red circle is located in the upper left area of the cue ball 212.

The next cue ball representation 268 follows the new defined angle path of the object movement data. The next cue ball display in the sequence is used, which has the red circle located in the lower right area of the cue ball 218.

The cue ball representation 269 continues on the defined angle path of the object movement data. The next cue ball display in the sequence is used, which has the red circle centered in the cue ball 215.

Cue ball representation 270 is displayed so that its top edge is next to the top bumper 209i 274. The coordinates for the cue ball were either at the bumper's top edge or into the bumper area 209d. The cue ball display sequence has now changed because the ball's path movement is now descending from the top of the table to the bottom. The cue ball display is now one in which the red circle is located in the lower left area of the cue ball 216.

Cue ball representation 271 is displayed so that it's left edge is next to the left bumper 209b 275. The coordinates for the cue ball were either at the bumper's right edge or into the bumper area 209d. By displaying the cue ball next to the bumper, the invention gives the visual effect of the cue ball momentarily being absorbed by the bumper's rubber-like material before rebounding away. The cue ball display sequence has now changed because the ball's path movement has gone to a left to right direction. The cue ball display is now one in which the red circle is centered in the cue ball 215.

The final cue ball representation 272 follows the new defined angle path of the object movement data. The next cue ball display in the sequence is used, which has the red circle located in the lower right area of the cue ball 218.

The number and position of the cue ball representations varies depending upon the speed of the cue ball, which is obtained in the object movement data.

The positioning of the movement indicator, which in the above description is a red circle, need not be limited to any set number of positions. For example, instead of having 3 different positions in a certain sequence, there could be 20 different positions.

The size of the movement indicator can be changed so that the cue ball looks more realistic. For instance, if the movement indicator is to be positioned at the upper edge of the object, only the bottom portion of the movement indicator would need to be shown.

A listing of the computer source code for effecting the operations as described herein, for a Motorola 68000 processor as used in an Atari ST computer, is as follows: ##SPC1## ##SPC2## PG,44

A source code representation of cue balls with the orientation indicator at various positions such as indicated in FIG. 7, and usable with the foregoing source code, is as follows: ##SPC3## ##SPC4##

A listing in hexadecimal of the digital data usable in conjunction with the foregoing source code to represent the pool table is included as Appendix A.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of this invention. ##SPC5##