Multimedia system and method for remote monitoring or refereeing in amusement machines

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DESCRIPTION

Multimedia system and procedure for remote monitoring or arbitration in arcade machines.

Background of the invention

1. Field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of coin-operated amusement machines. In particular, the invention relates to a system and method comprising a plurality of arcade machines (i.e., video games, pinball games, pinball machines, prize-dispensing games, arcade games, electronic darts, fairground horses, game tables, American billiards, golf games, basketball games, billiards, swap games, table football, shuffleboard and bowling alleys, touch screen tabletop games and the like) equipped with gaming components and associated means for capturing multimedia information based on the performance of players on the machines, means for transmitting the multimedia information captured from the machines to a network, and a machine based processor (for example, a central processing unit (CPU)) to manage and store this multimedia information. In particular, the present invention relates to dart machines.

2. Description of the prior art

A good number of coin-operated arcade machines are currently known with means for capturing data about games and players and connecting to a network, such as a LAN or a WAN (eg, the Internet).

For example, European patent EP697,579, to Bozkaya, discloses a target with means for displaying the result of a game of darts. The board is equipped with an instant camera, which makes it possible to immediately determine the winner of a game, since a photograph is taken when the target is hit or a certain score is reached and the photograph of the winning player is displayed.

German patent DE-A-4314145 discloses a system for playing on various arcade dart game machines. In particular, the system includes slot machines installed remotely with respect to each other, with at least two gaming machines installed in different places, with a bidirectional connection line between the gaming machines, different discs subdivided into sectors to receive the darts, a device to record and indicate the position of the impacts on the disk and a computer to process, evaluate and transmit the data.

European patent EP752.089, from NSM AG, discloses a similar system, in which several transmitter and receiver components, arranged rigidly outside the disk, whose connection lines form a grid and are interlaced by a dart that hits the disk, being assigned coordinates to grids. The values ​​of the coordinates where the dart hits are transmitted to other machines via modem and a data telecommunication line. The system is provided with a computer connected by the line to process, evaluate and transmit the data and a screen to view the results.

US Patent No. 5,593,349 to Miguel et al., Discloses a league and tournament system that includes a centralized league machine that transmits data to one or more of a plurality of dart machines via modem or using the wireless portable data storage device. Information from electronic dart machines can be transmitted via modem, by fax transmission or by using the portable data storage device. Dart machines are configured to receive and use information from the database about the league and tournament for a variety of purposes, including automatic implementation of player handicaps, automatic game control, and recording of team and player who are using the dart machine. The machine has a monitor that displays context-sensitive menus that use information from the database.

In the current art, therefore, there is the possibility that players can play games or participate in leagues at different locations, connected to each other and to a computer by telecommunications lines. In particular, the Internet or another computer network can be used to communicate, and the data and results of the games can be recorded on a computer and transmitted to the machines.

Furthermore, in the subset of arcade machines known as video games, it is typically the system that enforces and enforces the rules. For example, video game systems are typically closed, and there is little chance of cheating, as the system software prevents this because the entire game is played on the machine in a closed controlled loop.

On the contrary, in amusement machines comprising games or sports machines, such as dart machines, English billiards, golf, basketball, etc., part of the action is carried out independent of the machine. In these scenarios, the system is unable to detect all possible violations of the rules and regulations of the game or possible cheating by players outside the system's control capabilities. For these and other types of arcade machines, current systems and procedures do not provide optimal systems and procedures for monitoring and discerning the validity of the game, or whether the game and players abide by the rules. This is a practical drawback when you want to hold global competitions in different parts of the planet. There are other disadvantages as well.

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US-A-2003/0096645, US-A4531187 and GB-A2185896 should also be cited as part of the prior art.

Description of the invention

Claims 1, 7 define the present invention. Preferred embodiments are defined in claims 2-6, 8-11.

An object of the present invention is to provide a management system and method for dart machines, located in substantially the same location or in a remote location with respect to each other. The system and procedure can be applicable to any type of machine, be it sports machines (eg darts, etc.) or otherwise.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for managing the refereeing of games played on dart machines in which a human or non-human referee can make decisions at a remote location. Monitoring or arbitration can occur in real time or with a delay, based, at least in part, on multimedia information captured from dart machines that can communicate over a network such as the Internet. Consequently, the system and procedure allow the game to be monitored and refereed, to reduce cheating, and to improve fair competition in games and between players.

These and other objects can be achieved by providing a system and method comprising dart machines that further comprise multimedia information and data capture means. For example, the media for capturing multimedia information may comprise imaging devices (for example, digital or analog cameras or video recorders), auditory recording devices (for example, digital or analog sound recorders), and other devices that they capture the sights and sounds of the players and the game as it unfolds during a game. Other acquisition devices, such as markers, impact sensors (for example, for darts, shooting or golf games), distance measuring devices, or other appropriate sensors as dictated by the particular requirements of the game or sport to be played .

The system and procedure also provide one or more monitoring or arbitration centers. The monitoring or refereeing centers can receive the multimedia information and other data from the dart machines. Multimedia information and other data can be transmitted over a network (for example, a LAN, WAN, the Internet, a wireless network, a cellular network, etc.) to an appropriate receiving device (for example, monitors, computers, speakers, etc. .) at the arbitration center. The arbitration center can be located anywhere that is accessible by the network, including remote locations. Monitoring or arbitration can occur substantially instantly (eg, in real time) or at a later time (eg, with a delay).

The system and procedure also comprise implementing computer assisted arbitration means. For example, a visible light source (for example, a laser or other visible light beam) can be used to project lines, borders, or other boundaries of the playing area (for example, a place where the player must stand, or the like. ). Other computer-aided sensors (for example, speed monitoring devices), limit exit sensors (for example, pressure transducers or the like) and multimedia information capture devices can be input into a computer or other device based on processor (e.g. laptop, personal digital assistant (PDA), special purpose monitoring station, or similar) to aid in an evaluation of whether the game or the player's behavior complies with the rules of the particular game.

The monitoring or refereeing centers can be a "call center" for a game promoter and conveniently comprise monitors to monitor the state of development of the games in the dart machines from the data located in the network. In addition, information from dart machines can be stored or otherwise archived at monitoring or refereeing centers.

The refereeing center and the dart machines may also comprise a multimedia telecommunications system. For example, microphones, speakers, video monitors and cameras can be incorporated into dart machines and refereeing centers. With the telecommunication system, the referee can observe the entire game environment and all incidents that may arise during each game. Refereeing decisions can be made known at any point in the game and appealed, interactively, between the players and the refereeing centers.

In some embodiments, the arbitration center may comprise an optical surveillance system, built into each machine, and a local area network (LAN) or wide area (WAN) telecommunication system. Furthermore, a surveillance system in each machine comprises a video camera or cameras, with filters, reflective elements and electronic equipment, which simultaneously capture images from different sources, with varied changing lighting.

In some embodiments, the refereeing center or the dart machine may incorporate auxiliary electronic elements that automatically detect game situations that contravene the applicable game rules or regulations in each case. For example, the auxiliary electronic devices may vary depending on whether the dart machines are dart machines, English billiards, golf, etc., thus facilitating the referee's work. For example, these elements can perform a function similar to that of the ball detectors used on modern tennis courts to indicate whether a serve has entered the regulatory area or not.

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The remote refereeing system and procedure can be assisted by a computer system that allows to selectively store sequences of images that record the complete development of the games, so that the referee can determine, at any time, if the players have respected the rules of the game. game or if, on the contrary, they have committed infractions.

The information can be transmitted over a local computer network or over the Internet, via cable, wire, satellite or wireless mechanisms. In any case, a dedicated computer program makes it possible to analyze and manage the multimedia data coming from the machines, as well as transmitting multimedia data to them. The decisions of the referee are included in this multimedia data.

The telecommunication system allows to establish an interactive multimedia conference between the players and the referee. For example, a conference can be held if a player wishes to challenge a referee's decision.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the system of this invention allows individual or team competitions to be played on a global scale, in which games are played with efficient supervision of all gaming incidents, as it includes the gaming environment. in the system.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is explained in more detail, and by way of non-restrictive example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a side elevation view of a dart machine and game area in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine and playing area of ​​Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates a front elevation view of the machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a block diagram for the remote arbitration system in a local network.

Fig. 5 illustrates an example of a block diagram for a remote arbitration system over a network such as the Internet.

Detailed description of the invention

Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate similar or corresponding elements or components.

Next, a particular embodiment applicable to electronic dart machines and dart games will be described, although everything stated here is also applicable, changing what must be changed, to other types of arcade machines.

In this embodiment, the remote monitoring or refereeing system for dart machines of the present invention is based on a plurality of dart machines 1, equipped with game components with means for capturing data of the complete game sequence, and in the results of the players on the machines (for example, detecting the impact and its place of impact on the target) and means of transmitting the data captured on the machines to a network.

The dart machine 1 comprises a structure or housing 3, a target 4, an interface panel 5 for entering data with a keyboard 30 and a microphone 31, and a panel 6 for a slot for coins or other analogous payment elements. The dart machine 1 also comprises a digital video camera 7, a monitor 8 and a visible light emitter 9.

The monitor 8 can be any known type, in particular TFT, and its screen is preferably placed on the top of the unit, protruding with respect to the front main plane of the machine 1 with a certain inclination with respect to the vertical plane, which it means that player 13 can see the transmitted images better.

The digital video camera 7 is equipped with filters, reflective elements and electronic equipment, and can simultaneously capture images from different sources and with varied changing lighting. Camera 7 may have any suitable field of view appropriate for game conditions. For example, the dashed line 33 indicates a possible visual field.

The visible light emitted by the emitter 9 is preferably laser light and describes a light beam 10 that traces a throw line 12 on the ground 11, which marks the minimum regulatory distance from the position of the player 13 who is throwing the dart 14.

Each machine 1 of the system is constituted by a processor-based device, for example, the CPU 15 in which the multimedia data of the game is stored, and an output line 16 to the communication network 17, 17 '. The

ES 2 303 079 T3 network can be constituted by a WAN, for example, Internet 17 (Fig. 5) or a LAN 17 '(Fig. 4) or another network (for example, wireless, cellular, satellite, etc. ( not shown)).

The digital video camera 7 captures the moving image of the drawn line 12 and an image recognition system in the CPU 15 detects if the player 13 crosses the line 12.

If it is a LAN 17 ', the machine will be connected to this network through a general purpose application server 18. If it is a WAN 17, the connection can be made through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 28, the machines being connected through a local network hub 20 and a proxy PC 21 or through an ADSL router 22 or a modem 23.

In Fig. 5 we see that the network 17 is the Internet, different remote locations or game rooms 24, 25,26,27 can be connected to the network through different devices.

The system comprises at least one monitoring or arbitration center 2 for the data located in the network of sets of machines 1, also possibly being connected to the network through an ISP 28, for instantaneous or delayed arbitration. The system works with at least one application server, which also connects to the network 17.

Each dart machine 1 and monitoring or refereeing center 2 are equipped with communication components or interface of camera 7, monitor 8, keyboard 30 and microphone 31. Monitoring or refereeing centers 2 are also equipped with analog communication components.

The monitoring or refereeing centers 2 can therefore monitor the development status of the games on the machines 1 from the multimedia data located on the network 17, 17 '.

The arbitration procedure according to some embodiments of the invention is as follows. For each machine 1 of a set of machines in the network 17, 17 ', if the player 13 meets certain game conditions, during the game, the recording means of the machine 1 captures the development of the game and the video camera 7 records the image of the playing area and of the player 13, throughout the entire development of the game.

The results and image data are immediately transmitted or stored in the computer system 15 of the machine, and when requested by the monitoring or arbitration centers 2, the results and the image data are retrieved from the network 17, 17 ', stored and viewed by a referee 32 located at a center 2.

The referee 32 decides whether the selected games have been played without infringing the game rules, and the results of the parts of the game and the data of the winning player are transmitted via the communication channel to the network 17, 17 'and to the machines 1 corresponding according to the refereed competition. In the present example, a darts competition, the winning player (s) and the winning player data are displayed on machines 1.

To decide on the results of the winning games, the referee 32 will make the validation based on the image data transmitted to the monitoring or refereeing center 2.

Optionally, a player can send a multimedia signal to the referee from a machine 1 to the monitoring or refereeing center 2, indicating an objection to the referee's decision, using the keyboard 30 and the microphone 31 to contact the referee 32 in real time or leave an objection message. Based on this multimedia signal, the referee 32 decides, instantaneously or with delay, on a final resolution on this objection, which he communicates to the network.

According to the invention, the arbitration of the results and the winning parts of the game takes place immediately or with delay. In this way, players from different locations can participate in a game at any time and the referee can validate the results. For example, a player in Europe can participate in a game at 10:00 AM and a player in the United States 8 hours later, and the referee gives the result at 10:00 AM US time. The system also allows two players to play against each other at the same time, and to see each other when they play.

Although the referee is intended to be a human operator 32, the invention covers the possibility that the referee is an automatic or computer-assisted control.

The foregoing simply illustrates the principles of the invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that different arrangements can be devised by those skilled in the art which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, also include the principles of the invention and are within its scope. In this sense, depending on the characteristics of the game, the data capture means will take different forms. For example, in the case of billiards or snooker games, the video camera 7 can focus on the entire game table and the sensors determine the hole the ball enters and the number of caroms.