Title: Electronic scorer for bowling games

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There have been a number of proposals of bowling scoring apparatus in the past. However, none are yet known to be commercialized due to their lack of reliability, economic impracticality, inflexibility of their inability to perform functions required in a practical sense over and above the mere keeping of a bowling score. Accordingly, there is a need for a reliable, economically feasible, flexible bowling scoring system that can perform virtually any function desired by a bowler.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the invention to provide a new and improved scoring apparatus of the type described.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a bowling score computer having an error correction system wherein the error correction system includes means for entering cumulative frame score information, means for entering frame information, means for entering pinfall information and means for entering bowler identification information; the error correction system being arranged to permit successive ball-by-ball error correction after initial manipulation of the various entering means without additional manipulation of the cumulative score entering means, the frame entering means and the bowler identification means.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a computing apparatus for computing a bowling score including means for determining the presence or absence of standing pins to given positions together with a plurality of electronic gates responsive to the determining means for detecting whether the arrangement of standing pins constitutes a "split".

A further object is the provision of an apparatus such as that set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein buffer means are operatively connected to the determining means for storing information relative to each pin position indicating whether the corresponding pin is standing or down with the electronic gates being arranged to ultimately receive and utilize the information contained in the buffer means.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a computer such as that set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein a recirculating shift register containing ten bits is interposed between the buffer means and the electronic gates with each bit being adapted to contain information indicating whether a corresponding pin is standing or down.

Another object is the provision of a bowling scoring apparatus for use with a plurality of players bowling simultaneously on a plurality of lanes including a means for each of the lanes for detecting pinfall information thereon attributable respectively to the plurality of players, a single means for receiving the pinfall information for each lane from a corresponding detecting means and for computing a bowling score for each of the bowlers from the pinfall information, a plurality of bowler memories for receiving and storing the score information from the single computing means, and a single error correcting means for selectively correcting an inaccurate bowling score in any of the memories.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a bowling scoring system embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a bowling score sheet in the form of a printed record produced by the system;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating certain input and output functions of the system relative to the scoring of a bowler;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the computer used in the system;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the control circuitry of a printer used in conjunction with the system;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of the means used for pin detection, pinfall buffering and the steering of pinfall information to the computer for one lane;

FIG. 7 is a logic diagram of a pinfall register which accepts pinfall information and converts it to a form usable by the computer;

FIG. 8 is a logic diagram of a control for the pinfall register;

FIG. 9 is a logic diagram of the BCD (binary coded decimal) up counter of the arithmetic register which is used for adding pinfall for frame score purposes and team totals and comprises FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C. FIG. 9B is to be placed adjacent the right edge of FIG. 9A while FIG. 9C is positioned similarly with respect to FIG. 9B;

FIG. 10 is a logic diagram of the pinfall counter of the arith metic register which is used to count pinfall for box score purposes.

FIG. 11 is a logic diagram of a bowler state register and a bowler state decoding matrix which are used to control computation of a bowler's score in relation to past pinfall;

FIG. 12 is a logic diagram of a bowler state updating matrix for updating a bowler's state for future computation control;

FIG. 13 is a logic diagram of an OR matrix;

FIG. 14 is a logic diagram of a bowler score cycle control which generates functions relative to the scoring of a bowler; FIG. 15 is a logic diagram of a frame counter together with a frame buffer and a frame comparator which provide information relative to a bowler's frame and which control the initiation of a team totaling cycle;

FIG. 16 is a logic diagram of a printer frame control and a frame selection matrix for informing the printer to print in a specific frame;

FIG. 17 is a logic diagram of a character selection matrix for causing the printer to select a given character for printing;

FIG. 18 is a logic diagram of a printer cycle control which controls the printing operation and is comprised of FIGS. 18A and 18B. FIG. 18B is to be placed adjacent the lower edge of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19 is a logic diagram of a computer cycle ripple counter and a computer sequence counter which control the computer cycles and sequences for generating the necessary function relative to handicap entry, bowler scoring and team totaling;

FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 are logic diagrams of various portions of a computer cycle control gating for interpreting computer cycle and sequence information and providing various central control functions;

FIG. 23 is a logic diagram of a scanning cycle control for scanning the various information inputs and controlling computation in response to conditions at such inputs and is comprised of FIGS. 23A, 23B and 23C. FIG. 23B is to be placed adjacent the right-hand edge of FIG. 23A, while FIG. 23C is to be placed adjacent the lower edge of FIG. 23B;

FIG. 24 is a logic diagram of the computer memory and associated gating;

FIG. 25 is a diagram of the memory word selection logic for causing the selection of a particular word in the memory such that information therein may be used in computation;

FIG. 26 is a logic diagram of a BCD down counter used for team totaling and is comprised of FIGS. 26A and 26B. FIG. 26B is to be placed adjacent the right-hand edge of FIG. 26A;

FIG. 27 is a schematic of a handicap entry system and a portion of an error correction system and is comprised of FIGS. 27A and 27B. FIG. 27B is to be placed adjacent the right-hand edge of FIG. 27A;

FIG. 28 is a logic diagram of the lane reset logic for one lane and is used for clearing team total and handicap words in the memory prior to a new bowling game;

FIG. 29 is a schematic of a portion of the error correction system;

FIG. 30 is a schematic illustration of a bowler identification system for identifying bowlers to the computer and is comprised of FIGS. 30A and 30B. FIG. 30B is to be placed adjacent the lower edge of FIG. 30A;

FIG. 31 illustrates a mechanism for latching a manually operable switch for entering error correction pinfall or for bowler identification in a dpressed position;

FIG. 32 is a logic diagram of the split detection logic;

FIG. 33 illustrates a modification made to an automatic pinsetter to achieve pin detecting during a second ball cycle;

FIG. 34 is a schematic of miscellaneous circuitry used in foul detection, pinsetter control and the detection of the presence of pinfall;

FIG. 35 is an illustration of a mechanical switching device used in conjunction with an automatic pinsetter for informing the computer when the pinsetter has detected out-of-range pins;

FIG. 36 illustrates a switch used with the scissors mechanism in an automatic pinsetter for determing whether the scissors have closed on standing pins;

FIG. 37 illustrates a switch added to an automatic pinsetter for use in controlling the triggering thereof together with an adjustment to cause the pinsetter to stop at 270.degree. of a cycle thereof;

FIG. 38 illustrates a fragment of a score sheet comparing two methods of indicating box scores;

FIG. 39 is a logic diagram of modified logic utilized to implement an incremental pinfall box scoring system;

FIG. 40 is a logic diagram of additional gating required in the memory gating when the incremental pinfall method of box scoring is used;

FIG. 41 is a logic diagram of modified gating used in conjunction with the pinfall logic;

FIG. 42 illustrates additional gating for reloading the pinfall register with both ball pinfall information for counting purposes after an incremental pinfall cycle; and

FIG. 43 illustrates an additional gate required for controlling the addressing of the bowler memories.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While an illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein, the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms and it should be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

For convenience, the following is an outline of the description following, indicating the pages on which each subject begins:

    BOWLING SCORING SYSTEM
                              Page No.
    ______________________________________
     I.   Basic Description of the System
    A.      Overall System          14
    B.      Printed Record          18
    C.      Basis of Computation and Output
            Functions               21
    D.      Computer                25
    E.      Printer                 35
    F.      Conventions Used in the Specifica-
            tion and Drawings       43
     II.  Specific Description of the System
    A.      Pin Detection           47
    B.      Pinfall Buffers         48
    C.      Light Drivers and Steering Gates
                                    51
    D.      Pinfall Register        53
    E.      Pinfall Register Control
                                    56
    F.      Arithmetic Register     61
            1. BCD Up Counter       61
            2. Pinfall Counter      67
            3. Recirculating Shift Register
              Connections           69
    G.      Bowler State Control    71
            1. Bowler State Register
                                    72
            2. Bowler State Decoder 75
            3. Bowler State Updating Matrix
                                    76
            4. OR Matrix            85
    H.      Bowler Score Cycle Control
                                    87
    I.      Frame Counter           92
    J.      Printer Frame Control   94
    K.      Frame Selection Matrix  99
    L.      Character Selection Matrix
                                    100
    M.      Printer Cycle Control   102
    N.      Computer Cycle Control  115
            1. Computer Cycle Ripple Counter
                                    118
            2. Computer Sequence Counter
                                    123
            3. Computer Cycle Gating
                                    127
    O.      Scanning Cycle Control  146
    P.      Memory and Related Gating
                                    156
    Q.      Memory Word Selection Logic
                                    161
    R.      League Bowling          165
            1. Team Totals          165
              a. Frame Buffer       167
              b. Frame Comparator   168
              c. BCD Down Counter   170
            2. Handicap Entry       175
            3. Individual Lane Reset Logic
                                    1801/2
    S.      Error Correction        187
    T.      Bowler Identification   195
    U.      Split Detection         205
    V.      Pinsetter Mechanical Modifications
                                    208
            and Related Circuitry
            1. Pin Detection During A Second
              Ball Cycle            209
            2. Miscellaneous Switches
                                    211
            3. Pinfall Ready Circuit
                                    212
            4. Out-of-Range Pins    212
            5. Indication of Lack of Bowler
              Identification        214
            6. New Pins Solenoid    220
            7. Manual Cycling of Pinsetter
                                    220
            8. Third Ball-Tenth Frame Pinsetter
              Cycling               223
            9. Resetting of the Pinfall Buffers
              Prior to a Subsequent Bowler
                                    226
    W.      Foul Detection and Verification
            System                  227
    X.      Relation of the Foul System to the
            Pinsetter               231
    Y.      Modification for the Indication of
            Incremental Pinfall     234
    III.   Summary of Functions     251
    ______________________________________

I. BASIC DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM

A. Overall System

The overall system in which the scoring apparatus of the instant invention is used is shown in block form in FIG. 1. The system comprises a computer 60, described in greater detail hereinafter, which provides the basic function of computing a bowler's score including the cumulative score through each frame and the first ball pinfall and both ball pinfall in each frame. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the computer 60 is adapted to compute scores bowled on four bowling lanes, that is, on two adjacent lane pairs, although it will be apparent hereinafter that by increasing the speed of the printer and increasing the size of the memory, it could be used to score a significantly greater number of lanes.

As will be seen, the computer 60 may be conditioned for open bowling on both lane pairs, league bowling on both lane pairs or league bowling on one lane pair and open bowling on the other lane pair. In league bowling, players bowl one frame on one lane and the next frame on an adjacent lane while in open bowling, one or more players bowl on a single lane. It will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that the computer is arranged with respect to lane pairs as opposed to individual lanes in order to accommodate league bowling which is customarily played on a lane pair.

The computer 60 also controls a number of peripheral functions such as the automatic cycling of automatic pinsetters 62, one for each lane, to prepare the lane for the next bowler or game in such tenth frame situations that may require it. Additionally, in the event a bowler commits a foul on the first ball rolled in any frame, the computer 60 is arranged to cause the automatic pinsetter 62 for the lane on which the foul was committed to set a new set of pins and to be cycled such that upon the rolling of the next ball, the pinsetter will go through a second ball cycle, again, to prepare the lane for the next bowler.

The over-all system additionally includes a pair of bowler panels 64, one for each lane pair. As will be seen, each bowler panel 64 includes 24 switching devices, 12 for each lane. The switching devices in each bowler pane 64 are arranged with respect to the computer 60 so as to cause the latter to effect computation of the score of a bowler in accordance with the condition of one of the twelve switches assigned to each lane. That is to say, the switching devices associated with each bowler panel 64 serve to identify the bowler who is about to bowl to the computer 60 such that pinfall achieved on that lane should be credited to that particular bowler. As will appear, each of the 24 switching devices in each bowler panel 64 are manually operated by a bowler. Furthermore, in the open bowling mode, no more than 12 of the 24 switching devices for each lane pair, six for each lane are used, while in the league bowling mode, all 24 may be used. In the latter mode, the necessary lane sequencing of bowlers and teams due to the custom in league bowling of a team bowling first on one lane and then on the other, is achieved by manual operation of the twenty-four switching devices.

The manual bowler and lane sequencing provided by the bowler panel switching devices permits a bowler who has arrived after the start of the game to "catch up" with the other bowlers by bowling a plurality of frames in a chain of succession that need not be broken by the bowling of a frame by another player. It further permits, in the league bowling mode, two different members of the same team to bowl simultaneously on the two lanes of the lane pair. This latter feature provides a distinct advantage insofar as in league bowling one team will bowl often faster than the other team. In prior art devices, having automatic bowler sequencing and/or automatic lane sequencing, it is necessary that each team complete its bowling on a lane before a given member thereof may switch to the next lane. As a result, members of the slower bowling team must often stand around idly waiting for the last member of their team to complete his bowling on a given lane before they may initiate bowling on the second lane even though the faster team has completed bowling on that lane. As a result, the delay caused by the slower bowling team is perpetuated, a situation which is avoided by the instant invention.

The computer 60 additionally provides a peripheral function for use in conjunction with each bowler panel 64. Since the bowlers are sequenced manually by manipulation of the switching devices in each bowler panel 64, it is necessary to provide means for preventing the changing of bowler identication before the computer has digested the pinfall information from that lane and during the period between the first ball in a frame rolled by a bowler and the rolling of a second ball in that frame by that bowler. By means to be described hereinafter, the computer 60 locks the bowler identification switching devices in each bowler panel 64 to prevent such occurrences. Additionally, in the case where the computer has not digested the pinfall information from a particular lane, it is arranged to control the cycling fo the automatic pinsetter 62 for that lane such that the latter will stop with its rake down to indicate to the subsequent bowler that the computer is not ready for the rolling of another ball. The automatic pinsetter 62 will maintain the rake down in the alley blocking position until the computer has indicated to it that the pinfall information has been digested. Similar action of the pinsetter rake is effected by failure of a bowler to close his bowler identification switch. Finally, the computer 60 is arranged with respect to each pinsetter such that a bowler may bowl both balls in a frame whether or not the pinsetter has utilized the first ball pinfall information.

Each lane additionally includes a printer 65 and projection system 66. Each printer 65 is arranged with respect to the computer 60 so as to receive information relative to a bowler's game therefrom and to print a permanent record thereof such that the projection system 66 will project an image thereof to a viewing screen to be visible to the bowler. In other words, each printer 65 and projection system 66 provides a readout for that lane or team for the computer 60.

Each printer 65 is arranged to receive control signals from both the computer 60 and from each bowler panel 64. As will appear, the printer 65 is arranged to print in a plurality of frame columns and at a plurality of bowler lines. Furthermore, each such printing device is arranged to print one or more of thirteen different characters indicative of the scoring of a bowler's game. Each printing device 65 receives frame information and character information from the computer 60 while receiving bowler line information from the bowler panel 64 with which it is associated. As will be apparent, the computer 60, on occassion, will issue information relative to a bowler line so as to position the printing device 65 in anticipation of a subsequent printing cycle.

The computer 60 includes an input from the pin detecting system of each automatic pinsetter 62 on which information relative to a bowler's pinfall is received such that it may be utilized in computing the bowler's score. The computer 60 has an additional input from a manual input system 68. The manual input system 68 is utilized for correcting errors in the computed score of a bowler in the event of a mis-calculation by the computer 60 or in the event of erroneous pinfall detection by an automatic pinsetter 62. Additionally, in the league bowling mode, the manual input system 68 is utilized for entering a team handicap value into the computer such that the team handicap value will be included in a team total which, as will appear, is printed out at the end of each frame and each game.

B. Printed Record

The invention contemplates, in a broad sense, the automatic scoring and indication of the various occurrences in a bowling game. In particular, a permanent printed record of a bowler's game is provided as the main product of operation of the apparatus.

A typical printed record 69 of the games of a plurality of bowlers bowling in the league mode is shown in FIG. 2. The printed record is in a generally conventional format and comprises a sheet of paper, such as that disclosed in the co-pending application of W. D. Cornell et al, Ser. No. 243,634, filed Dec. 10, 1962, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,249,458 and assigned to the same assignee as the instant application, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. If desired, the score sheet 67 may be ruled off as indicated in FIG. 2 to include a vertical column for the names of the bowlers, ten vertical columns for the scores in each of frames 1-10 and an eleventh vertical column for the total score of so-called "eleventh frame". The score sheet may also be ruled off in the horizontal direction to provide frame headings and six bowler lines, each of the latter having an upper, box score level and a lower, frame score level. An additional horizontal column may be provided for the recording of a running team total.

From the score sheet 67, it will be apparent that in frames 1 to 10, inclusive, a character may be printed in any one of six different positions for a specific bowler in a specific frame. The leftmost column within each frame column is designated the hundreds column, and, at the frame score level, the hundreds digit of the bowler's cumulative score will be printed. At the box score level, only a 0, the common designation for a split, will be printed and then, only if the bowler has left a split after the first ball in the frame has been rolled. The middle column within each of the frame columns 1-10 inclusive, is the tens column and, at the frame score level, the character representing the tens digit of a bowler's cumulative score will be printed. At the box score level, an indication of the bowler's first ball pinfall will be printed in the tens column. The character printed may be from 0 to 9 if the pinfall achieved by the bowler on the first ball in the frame was less than 10 or an X if the bowler achieved a strike. In the event that the bowler committed a foul on the first ball, an F will be printed in this position. The rightmost column within each of the frame columns 1-10 is the units column and, at the frame score level, will have the units digit of the bowler's cumulative score printed therein, while at the box score level, a character from 0 to 9 will be printed depending upon the bowler's total pinfall for both balls of that particular frame if less than 10, or a / may be printed if the bowler has achieved a spare. In the event the bowler commits a foul on the second ball of the frame, an F will be printed at this level.

With reference to the total or eleventh frame column, an additional column therewithin is added on the left. This column is the thousands column and, at the frame score level, will have printed therein the thousands digit of the team total if the team total exceeds 999. At the box score level, the results of any third ball in the tenth frame are printed. The remaining columns in the eleventh frame, may have characters printed therein only at the frame score level with the exception of the box score level for bowler number one. The box score level relative to bowler number one in the eleventh frame may have a team handicap value printed therein in the hundreds, ten and units columns.

Referring now to the running team total level, the running team total has its digits printed in the corresponding columns of frames 1-9 and includes all pins definitely earned by the team through the frame in which it is printed. Thus, when a mark is achieved in a frame, the value of 10 is included in the team total for that frame for each such mark. It will also include the team handicap value, if any, in all frames occurring after the entry of the team handicap value. Since the end of game team total is printed in the eleventh frame, it is not necessary to provide for printing in the tenth frame at the running team total level.

In league bowling, it is sometimes desirable to permit a so-called "pace bowler" to bowl with a given team. For example, the use of a pace bowler is common when one of the members of the team is unable to bowl. However, in current practice, a pace bowler's score is not added to the team total. Thus, as will appear, the score of the pace bowler who bowls in the sixth position is never added to the team total, but rather, the computer scores the pace bowler as though he were playing in the open bowling mode.

When the computer is used to score open bowling, it will accommodate up to six bowlers per lane. Obviously, in such a case it is not necessary to print running team totals or to show a handicap entry or a grand team total in the eleventh frame. The manner in which such printing is controlled will be seen hereinafter.

C. Basis of Computation and Output Functions

The manner in which bowling scores are computed and the resultant output functions generated relative to providing the printed record is shown functionally in FIG. 3. Specifically, computation is directed by the existence of a particular condition or state of a bowler's game. As will be seen, information relative to the state of a bowler's game is stored in a predetermined segment of a bowler's memory and the information is periodically read out to direct the computation of the bowler's score, updated in view of the pinfall achieved by each and every ball rolled by the bowler and ultimately written back into the particular segment of the bowler's memory where it will be retained until further computation is necessary. The condition of a bowler's game always dictates that a particular state must exist and, accordingly, computation cannot proceed in any case unless a particular state of a bowler's game exists to direct such computation. This arrangement, which is quite different from many prior art systems wherein computation will proceed in a predetermined manner unless particular events such as a strike or a spare occur, provides a significantly greater degree of sophistication in terms of read-out functions and various peripheral functions for controlling tenth frame operation of a pinsetter.

The instant invention contemplates that each bowler's game may be in anyone of eleven possible states which are determined on the basis of pinfall achieved by the bowler and the frame in which the bowler is bowling. As will be evident to those skilled in the art, a greater or lesser number of states could be used depending upon the degree of system sophistication desired. The eleven states are as follows:

                  TABLE 1
    ______________________________________
    STATE      STATE DEFINITION
    ______________________________________
    1          Start or first ball following an open
               frame.
    2          First ball following a spare.
    3          Second ball following an open frame or
               a spare.
    4          First ball following a single strike.
    5          Second ball following a strike.
    6          First ball following two strikes.
    7          Second ball in the tenth frame following
               a strike in the tenth frame.
    8          Second ball in the tenth frame following
               two consecutive strikes.
    9          Third ball in the tenth frame following
               one strike on the first ball in the tenth
               frame.
    10         Third ball in the tenth frame following
               two strikes in the tenth frame or a
               spare in the tenth frame.
    11         End of bowler's game.
    ______________________________________

By reference to FIG. 3, the sequence of computer functions can be determined with respect to any given change from one bowler's state to another. Each of the eleven possible states is indicated as a circle containing the number of the state. The various arrows indicate every possible change from one state to another. The notations adjacent each arrow indicate the various game conditions required to go from one state to the other and the computer functions generated by the change and have the following meanings.

                  TABLE 2
    ______________________________________
    NOTATION  NOTATION DEFINITION
    ______________________________________
     O        Any frame but the tenth frame.
     .phi.    Frame is immaterial.
     1        Tenth frame.
    10        Pinfall = ten.
    10        Pinfall is less than ten.
     S        Print split symbol if a split exists.
     S        Do not print split symbol.
    B.sub.1   Print in first box score position
              (tens column).
    B.sub.2   Print in second box score position
              (units column). -B.sub.3 Tenth frame, print in third box score
              position (thousands column-eleventh frame)
    X.sub.1   Print strike symbol in first box score
              position - any frame.
    X.sub.2   Print strike symbol in second box score
              position - tenth frame.
    X.sub.3   Print strike symbol in third box score
              position - tenth frame.
    /.sub.2   Print spare symbol in second box score
              position.
    /.sub.3   Print spare symbol in third box score
              position - tenth frame.
    (0)       Do not print cumulative score - do not add
              to score.
    (A)       Add pinfall, 10 or 20 to score as indicated
              by subscript.
    (P)       Print cumulative scores in frame location
              indicated by subscript: minus 1-back one
              frame, minus 2-back two frames, zero-in
              current frame.
    ______________________________________

At the beginning of the game, each player's state will be state one. If the bowler does not achieve a strike on the first ball of the game, his game will then change to state three. As the notations indicate, the change from state one to state three requires that it be any frame but the tenth and a pinfall less than ten. Furthermore, if a split exists, a split symbol will be printed and the pinfall achieved by the first ball will be printed in the first box score location. Finally, the change precludes any addition of pinfall to the bowler's cumulative score or the printing thereof.

If, on the second ball, the bowler knocks down the remaining pins, the bowler's state will shift to state two. This change will occur when the input functions indicate that it is any frame but the tenth frame and the total pinfall for that frame is equal to 10. As a result, the output functions require that a spare be printed in the second box score position in the appropriate frame and that the score value of 10 immediately entered into the bowler's cumulative score memory.

In the event the bowler on his next ball, which is the first ball in the second frame, rolls a strike, the input functions showing that it is any frame but the tenth and that a pinfall of 10 has been achieved cause the bowler's state to be changed to state four. As a result of this change, an output function calling for the printing of a strike symbol in the first box score position will be emitted. Additionally, 10 points will be added to the bowler's cumulative score, subsequent to which a cumulative score will be printed back one frame position or in the first frame position. When this printing operation is accomplished, the pinfall achieved by the making of the strike, namely, 10 pins, will be immediately added to the cumulative score of the bowler.

From the foregoing example, it will be apparent how the state flow diagram depicts the operation of the computer to generate output functions in response to given input functions. The means to accomplish such operations are described hereinafter.

D. Computer

It will be recalled that the computer 60 is arranged to compute the bowling scores achieved by the plurality of bowlers on a plurality of lanes. Thus, each lane is provided with pin detecting means 70 shown schematically in FIG. 4. Operative in conjunction with each pin detecting means 70 is a pinfall buffer and steering gate arrangement 71. The pinfall buffers 71 receive information from the pin detecting means 70 relative to the position of standing pins. This information is gated through the steering gates 71 to a pinfall register 72 in a manner such that the pinfall register 72 receives the information from only one lane at a time. The purpose of the pinfall buffers is to preserve pinfall information for short periods of time in the event that an automatic pinsetter having the pin detecting means thereon or independent pin detecting means used in conjunction with the pinsetter is reset during cycling of the pinsetter and before the information may be channeled to the pinfall register 72. Additionally, the pinfall buffers 71 serve to preserve pinfall achieved by the first ball in a frame such that it may be utilized for computing the bowler's score in the event the bowler commits a foul on the second ball in the frame.

Foul detection and verification means 73 are provided for each lane and are arranged to preclude the pinfall buffer 71 from reading pinfall information in the event of a first ball foul and for precluding the resetting of the pinfall buffers in the event of a second ball foul. Additionally, the foul detection and verification means 73 provide a signal which is utilized to cause the printing of a foul symbol in the appropriate position on the score sheet.

There is also provided a manual pinfall input means 74 which may be used to correct errors in a bowler's score caused by either erroneous computation by the computer, erroneous pin detection by the pin detecting means 70 or erroneous foul detection and verification caused by improper manipulation of the foul detection and verification means 73. Additionally, if a bowler improperly identifies himself to the computer such that the latter causes pinfall to be credited to the wrong bowler, this may be corrected by use of the manual pinfall input means 74.

The pinfall information received from the pinfall buffers and steering gates 71 and the manual pinfall input means 74 are utilized as inputs by the pinfall register 72 such that the condition of the latter will indicate the particular position of each pin that is either standing or down. The information relative to each pin is read simultaneously into the pinfall register by control of the steering gates 71 as mentioned above.

The arrangement of standing and fallen pins as it appears in the information contained within the pinfall register 72 is sensed by split detecting means 75. If the arrangement of the pins is such as to be a split within the definition thereof set forth by the American Bowling Congress, the split detecting means 75 will sense that a split exists and if only the first ball in a frame has been rolled, the sensing of the split condition will cause the printing of a split symbol on the score sheet.

In order to determine the number of fallen pins for box score purposes and for addition to the bowler's cumulative score, an arithmetic register 76 is provided. The arithmetic register consists of a pinfall counter 77 and a binary coded decimal up counter 78. The pinfall counter 77 counts the pinfall achieved by the first ball in each frame and the total pinfall achieved in each frame by the two balls thereof. This information is printed in the box score positions described above. The binary coded decimal up counter adds the pinfall achieved by both balls in a frame to the bowler's cumulative score such that the cumulative score may be printed at the frame score level as set forth above. A pinfall register control 79 causes the pinfall information present in the pinfall register 72 to be placed in the pinfall counter 77 after each ball of a frame and into the BCD up counter after either a strike in a frame or the second ball in a frame.

A bowler state control 80 includes a bowler state register which contains the state of a bowler's game. The bowler state control 80 is also provided with a bowler state decoding matrix which decodes the information contained in the bowler's state register. Finally, the bowler state control 80 includes a bowler state updating matrix which redetermines and updates the bowler's state information contained in the bowler's state register after each ball in a frame is rolled. the bowler's state information contained in the bowler state control is utilized to control the computation and printing of bowler's scores. In this connection, a bowler score cycle control 81 receives bowler state information from the bowler state control and in conjunction with a computer cycle control 82 causes such functions as may be necessary to compute a bowler's score and enable the reading out of a bowler's score such that a printed record thereof will be formed.

When it is necessary to score a bowler, the bowler score cycle control 81 and the computer cycle control 82 issue appropriate signals to a printer cycle control 83 which controls the printers 65 associated with each of the four lanes. The printer cycle control 83 in conjunction with the computer cycle control directs one of the printers 65 associated with the lane from which pinfall information has been received to print in the thousands, hundreds, tens or units column within a frame column and to print at the box score level or at the frame score level. The particular frame column in which the pinfall information is to be printed is determined by a frame counter 85, a printer frame control 86 and a frame selection matrix 87 together with the computer cycle control 82.

Frame information relative to the bowler to be scored is contained in the frame counter 85. The frame information therein corresponds to the frame in which the bowler is bowling as opposed to the frame in which he is to be scored. It will be apparent that this is a necessary distinction as when a bowler is working on a spare, a strike or two successive strikes, the cumulative score for the frames in which the mark or marks were made will not be complete until the bowler has rolled one or more balls in one or more succeeding frames.

The printer frame control 86 receives information from the frame counter 85 relative to the bowler's current frame. The computer cycle control 82 in conjunction with bowler state control 80 causes the printer frame control 86 to assume a condition indicative of the frame in which a printed cumulative score is to be placed. The resulting condition of the printer frame control 86 is sensed by the frame selection matrix 87 which thereby issues a signal to a printer 65 for directing the printer 65 to print the cumulative score in a particular frame column while the computer cycle control 82 enables a particular one of the printers 65 to print.

A character selection matrix 88 is arranged to sense the condition of the pinfall counter 77. In the case of box scores, the condition of the pinfall counter 77 is decoded by the character selection matrix 88 which, in turn, causes the printer cycle control 83 to direct a particular printer 65 to print a particular character. In the case of printing cumulative scores, each digit of the cumulative score is decoded individually and printed in a serial manner. As will be seen, the printing of such digits occurs in the following order: the thousands digit, if necessary, is printed first; the hundreds digit is printed second; the tens digit printed third and the units digit printed last. In order to achieve the serial decoding of the digits of the cumulative score in required order, the printer cycle control 83 causes the cumulative score information contained in the BCD up counter 78 to be shifted, one digit at a time, into the pinfall counter 77 where it is decoded by the character selection matrix 88 and ultimately printed by a selected printer 65. In the printing of cumulative scores, the printer cycle control has an additional function of suppressing leading or nonsignificant zeros.

In order to direct a selected printer 65 to print in a selected bowler line, bowler identification means 89 are provided. The bowler identification means 89 serve to direct a corresponding printer 65 to print at a particular box score level for a particular bowler. When it is necessary to print at the frame score level for that bowler, the bowler identification means 89 together with the computer cycle control serve to indicate that printing should be accomplished at the frame score level.

The bowler identification means 89 provide yet another function. A memory 90 includes a work therein for each of the 24 bowlers that may be accommodated by the system. The bowler identification means 89 serve to connect the appropriate bowler word with the computer when that bowler is to be scored.

Each bowler word therein includes information relative to the bowler's cumulative score, the frame in which he is bowling and the state of his game. Through appropriate gating 91, the particular bowler word is selected and the frame information in each word is directed to the frame counter 85. The state information in the bowler word is directed to the bowler state control 80 while the bowler's score information is directed to the BCD up counter 78. Such information is used in each location to control the computation and read out of a bowler's score in the manner previously described, is updated and is subsequently written back into the bowler memory 90.

Since there may be as many as four different bowler identifications at any given instant (one on each of the four lanes), and the computer is arranged to handle the scoring of only one bowler at a time, means are provided in the form of a scanning cycle control 92 for permitting association of the computer 60 with but a single bowler word in the memory 90 at a time. The scanning cycle control 92 scans the pin detection system 70 on each of the four lanes together with the manual pinfall input system 74 and a handicap input system to be described hereinafter and senses when one of the aforementioned information sources is ready to provide information for computation. When such a situation is detected, the scanning cycle control 92 locks on that particular information source and enables the gating 91 to select only the bowler word for the bowler associated with that particular source.

When the scanning cycle control 92 has locked on a particular information source, it, together with the computer cycle control 82 will cause the bowler information contained in the memory 90 for the selected bowler to be directed to the frame counter 85, the bowler state control 80 and the arithmetic register 76. Additionally, the computer cycle control 82 will cause the bowler score cycle control 81 to score the bowler which will cause the printer cycle control 83 to cause such printing as may be necessary. In the latter respect, the scanning cycle control 92 causes the computer cycle control to select the printer 65 for the lane for which the pinfall information is being made available or for the teams with which the bowler is associated. Upon completion of the scoring of a bowler, the computer cycle control 82 causes such updating of bowler information as may be necessary and the writing of such information back into the memory 90.

Means are also provided for computing and printing running team totals when the computer is used in league bowling. To serve this end, a team total control 93 is provided. Since the running team totals are printed at the completion of a team frame, it is necessary that a bowler's score be added to the team total only if he is bowling in the same frame as the team. Accordingly, a frame buffer 94 and a frame comparator 95 are provided. The frame buffer receives frame information relative to the frame in which a bowler is bowling from the frame counter 85 upon direction by the computer cycle control and at a subsequent time in the scoring of the bowler, team frame information is placed in the frame counter and the bowler frame information contained in the frame buffer 94 is compared with the team frame information by the frame comparator 95. If the two are equal, the frame comparator 95 causes the team total control 93 to proceed with the team totaling cycle. In this cycle, the bowler's cumulative score is read from the binary coded decimal up counter 78 into a down counter 96. The cumulative score for the team, which consists of any given instant of the total of the cumulative scores of those members of the team that have been computed for the frame in which the team total is to be computed and the team handicap if entered, is read into the BCD up counter from a selected team total word in the memory 90. The down counter 96 is then counted to zero which will cause the bowler's cumulative score contained therein to be added to the team total cumulative score contained in the BCD up counter 78. The resulting score is then written from the BCD up counter 78 back into the corresponding team total word in the memory for further addition of bowler cumulative scores, or, if the score just added corresponded to that of the bowler bowling in the last position on the team such that the bowler completed a team frame, the information will be shifted into the pinfall counter 77 to be decoded by the character selection matrix 88 and ultimately printed under the direction of the printer cycle control 83 operating in a manner similar to that described above in conjunction with the printing of a bowler's cumulative score.

As mentioned above, the running team total score is comprised of the cumulative scores of each of the bowlers on the team in the frame for which the team total score is to be computed. This is in contradistinction to an arrangement wherein the pinfall achieved by each bowler in each frame is added to the team total to provide the cumulative team total. The arrangement utilized by the invention is such that the team total is computed anew from each cumulative bowler score at the end of each frame. As a result, when an individual bowler's score is corrected by means of an error correction procedure utilizing the manual pinfall input 74, subsequent running team totals will be correct due to the inclusion of the corrected bowler's score therein.

The invention also provides team handicap registers 97 under the control of the team total control 93. Team handicap values may be set up manually on the team handicap registers 97 and, if permitted by the team total control 93, the handicap values will be entered into the BCD up counter to be included in the team total which is printed out at the end of each frame or game. Such team handicap values may be entered into the apparatus at any time during the game and a word in the memory 90 is provided for each team's handicap entry.

The computer additionally includes a pinsetter control 98. The pinsetter control receives information from the foul detection verification means 73 together with information from the bowler state control 80 and the scanning cycle control 92. Upon the occurrence of a first ball foul, the pinsetter control 98 under the direction of the scanning cycle control 92 will cause the pinsetter on the lane on which the foul occurred to spot a new set of pins and prepare itself to undergo a second ball cycle when the next ball is rolled. Thus, when the second ball in the frame is rolled, if pins are left standing, the pinsetter will undergo a normal second ball cycle and spot a new set of pins in readiness for the next bowler. Similarily in certain tenth frame situations wherein bonus balls are rolled, the pinsetter control 98 under direction of the bowler's state control 80 will cause the pinsetter to undergo a second ball cycle after the third ball in the tenth frame is rolled such that a new set of pins will be spotted by the pinsetter in readiness for the following bowler or the initiation of a new game. This arrangement automatically anticipates recycling of the pinsetters in such situations and thereby speeds up the bowling game.

E. Printer

As the instant invention contemplates the making of a permanent record of the score achieved in a bowling game, it is necessary that some means for performing this function be provided. Specifically, the invention contemplates the use of four printers, one for each of the four lanes to be scored, of the type disclosed in co-pending application of W. A. Crimmins, Ser. No. 563,742, filed July 8, 1966 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,416,443 and G. B. Pratt, Ser. No. 563,754, filed July 8, 1966 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,385,212 and assigned to the same assignee as the instant application, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

For the purpose of clarity, a brief description of the operation of a printer made in accordance with the aforementioned co-pending applications is as follows. Reference may be made to FIG. 5 which schematically illustrates the arrangement of a printer to the computer of the instant invention. Each printer includes eleven print wheels, each print wheel bearing the characters 0-9, X, / and F for a total of 13 characters in all. The first nine print wheels are arranged to print units, tens and hundreds digits in each of the first nine frame columns on a score sheet, respectively. The tenth print wheel serves to print units, tens and hundreds digits in the tenth frame column and the thousands digit in the total or eleventh frame column. The eleventh print wheel prints units, tens and hundreds digits in the total or eleventh frame column. In order to control the printing in a selected frame column, eleven frame selection solenoids FRS (designated FRS in said applications) are provided, each of the eleven solenoids being responsible for unlatching a corresponding print wheel for printing in the desired frame column. Additionally, 13 character selection solenoids CHS (desiganted CHS in said applications) are provided, one such solenoid being responsible for selecting a desired one of the 13 printer characters.

There are also provided three column selection solenoids SOS-10, SOS-100 and SOS-1000 (designated COS-10, COS-100 and COS-1000 in said applications) for positioning the print wheel in the tens digit column, the hundreds digit column or the thousands digit column within a given frame column. However, as will be seen hereinafter, the control of the printer by the computer is such as to permit printing in the thousands column only in the eleventh frame. It should also be noted that when no one of the character selection solenoids are actuated, the design of the printer is such that it will print in the units column in the selected frame.

Each printer additionally includes a print-cycle solenoid PCS (designated PCS in said applications) which, when energized, will initiate a printing cycle. Each printer is arranged such that when the print-cycle solenoid is energized to start a printing operation, a solenoid power switch SPS (COPS and CFPS in said applications) is closed to connect one side of the frame selection solenoids, the character selection solenoids and the column selection solenoids to a source of power. As will be seen hereinafter, the other side of these solenoids is connected to solenoid drivers within the computer which, when energized by the computing apparatus, will complete the circuit for a selected solenoid in each of the three groups thereof. In this respect, as will appear, the outputs of the computer for frame selection, character selection and column selection are connected to the corresponding solenoids in those groups on each of the four printers utilized. However, the computing apparatus is arranged to energize only a single print cycle solenoid at any give instant such that by way of the foregoing arrangement, a frame selection solenoid, a character selection solenoid and a column selection solenoid, if needed, will be energized only in the particular printer that has its print cycle solenoid energized by the computer.

Each printer additionally includes a switch DSPS (designated DPS in said applications) which is closed at a predetermined point in a printing cycle and is arranged to provide the computing apparatus with a PRINT COMPLETE signal to indicate that the printer has responded to the inputs thereto generated by the computer and has completed the handling thereof. As will be apparent from said applications, such a signal is generated after the printing of each character (as opposed to the printing of a plurality of characters in a predetermined sequence). When it is necessary to print more than one character, such a signal will cause the computer to go on and read out the next character to the printer. In the event it is not necessary to print further characters relative to a bowler's score at the time such a signal is present, such a signal will cause the computer to go on to perform such other sequences as may be necessary.

The printer also provides means for moving within a frame column to any one of thirteen distinct positions. The first twelve positions correspond to a box score position and a frame score position for each of six bowlers while the thirteenth position provides for the printing of a running team total when the computer is scoring league play. This movement takes place in the Y direction and, accordingly, a Y-drive cam (designated 50 in said application) is provided for each printer. As disclosed in said applications the Y-drive mechanism includes a Y-GO solenoid YGO that controls the movement of the printer between the box score levels and frame score levels of each of the bowlers. In certain situations in a bowling game, it is necessary to record box score information, frame score information and, after the next ball is rolled, additional box score information and additional frame score information. Such a situation typically occurs when a bowler does not achieve a strike or a spare in the frame following a spare or the frame preceded by two strikes. Other situations wherein the printer must go from one level to the next and return to the first will be apparent and the Y-GO solenoid YGO is utilized to control such printer movement. Furthermore, occasionally the printer will not start out in the proper position to score a bowler. As will be seen hereinafter, the computer includes means for sensing such a condition and will energize the Y-GO solenoid YGO to thereby cause the printer to assume the proper position. The Y-drive mechanism of each printer may also be activated to position the printer at the running team total level. A signal from the computer is arranged to control such positioning as will be seen.

Referring again to FIG. 5, each printer includes fourteen contacts ST, 1B, 1F, 2B, 2F, 3B, 3F, 4B, 4F, 5B, 5F, 6B, 6F and RTT. Each of the fourteen contacts ST-RTT are arranged in close proximity to a contact C. The Y-drive cam (designated 50 in said applications) includes a brush that is adapted to bridge any one of the fourteen contacts ST-RTT and the contact C. The specific one of the fourteen contacts ST-RTT connected with the contact C will depend upon the position of the printer relative to the score sheet. For example, if the printer position is such as to cause printing at the box score level of bowler number one, the brush on the Y-drive cam will bridge the contact 1B and the contact C. Similarly, if the printer is in a position to print at the running team total level, the brush on the Y-drive cam will bridge the contact RTT and the contact C. The contact C is connected through the normally open contacts CBKa of a relay CBK and a step printer relay SPK to a source of power. The relay CBK is connected to the contact ST for receiving a PRINTER ONE START signal and to the source of power. The relay SPK includes normally open contacts SPKa in series with the parallel combination of the Y-GO solenoid YGO and a relay YSK across the source of power. The relay YSK when energized may open contacts YSKa and YSKb to de-energize a Y-stop solenoid YST and disable the printer cycle solenoid PCS respectively. The Y-stop solenoid is, of course, placed in series with the contacts YSKa across the source of power.

When a PRINTER ONE START signal is generated, the relay CPK will be energized and close the contacts CPKa such that the relay SPK may be energized if the brush on the Y-drive cam is bridging the contact C and an energized one of the fourteen contacts ST-RTT to close contacts SPKa to energize the Y-GO solenoid YGO. Simultaneously, the Y-drive stop relay YSK will be energized to de-energize the Y-drive stop solenoid YST and disable the printer cycle solenoid PCS. As disclosed in said application, the energization of the Y-GO solenoid YGO will cause the printer to continually change position with respect to the various lines on the score sheet until the Y-GO solenoid YGO is de-energized. Such stopping will occur when the brush on the Y-drive cam of the printer contacts a de-energized one of the contacts ST-RTT and the relay SPK will be de-energized to energize the Y-stop solenoid YST and enable the printer cycle solenoid PCS.

As will be seen hereinafter, manually operated bowler identification buttons are used for de-energizing the selected one of the contacts 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B and 6B while energizing the nonselected contacts 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B and 6B and the contact ST. Thus, when a bowler identification push button has been depressed, the printer will be energized until the brush on the Y-drive cam finds the de-energized contact corresponding to the bowler identification switch that has been depressed. This will cause the printer to be positioned at the box score level of the score sheet for the bowler line corresponding to the depressed bowler identification button.

As will also be seen hereinafter, the contact ST, which corresponds to a home position of the printer, is energized by a PRINTER ONE START signal from either the bowler identification system or the error correction system such that if the printer is in the home position, it will begin its search for a deenergized contact. The RTT contact is normally energized such that the printer will not stop at the running team total level. However, when the computer requires that a running team total score be printed, the computer cycle control gating will issue and R.T.T. LEVEL signal which de-energized the RTT contact such that the printer may stop at the running team total level.

In order to position the printer at the frame score level, as will be seen, the computer control gating issues a FRAME SCORE LEVEL signal which is used to de-energize each of the contacts 1F, 2F, 3F, 4F, 5F and 6F. However, such a signal is issued only after printer has positioned itself at the proper box score level such that when printer movement is subsequently started, the printer will move only one position, namely that from the box score level to the frame score level for the same bowler.

In order to cause such movement from the box score level to the frame score level for a single bowler, or the reverse, or if the printer has for some reason erroneously stopped at an improper position, the computer cycle control gating as will be seen may issue a Y-GO LANE ONE signal. Such a signal is applied to the common junction of the contacts SPKa, the Y-stop relay YSK and the Y-GO solenoid YGO and will cause energization of the Y-GO solenoid YGO independently of the contacts SPKa. However, such a Y-GO LANE ONE signal appears only as a momentary pulse and is merely sufficient to cause the printer to move from one level on the score sheet to the next lower level. Thus, if the printer is at the box score level and a FRAME SCORE LEVEL signal is present, a Y-GO LANE ONE signal will merely cause the printer to move one position, namely to the frame score level for the same bowler. However, if the printer is at frame score level and the Y-GO solenoid YGO is pulsed, the one level movement of the printer will cause the brush on the Y-drive cam to bridge the box score contact and the contact C for the next bowler which will be energized since that bowler will not have identified himself and the printer will continue to step through all box score and frame score levels together with the running team total level and the home position until it is returned to the box score level of the bowler who has identified himself by depressing his ID button. Similarly, if the Y-GO LANE ONE signal is issued because the printer is in an improper position, the printer will continue to move until the brush on the Y-drive cam bridges a de-energized one of the contacts ST-RTT and the contact C which will be the proper position as it will have been de-energized by manipulation of the bowler identification push buttons.

Each printer additionally includes fixed contacts A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6, one for each of the six bowlers whose scores may be printed by the printer, which are adapted to receive 1A-6A signals from the bowler identification system as will appear. Only one of such signals may be present at any given instant and indicates that one of bowlers 1-6 of team A has identified himself. The presence of such a signal will energize one of the contacts A1-A6. The Y-drive cam includes a brush that is adapted to close a circuit between the contacts A1-A6 and a corresponding one of adjacent contacts A1-1, A2-2, A3-3, A4-4, A5-5 and A6-6. The contacts A1-1 through A6-6 are connected as inputs to an AND gate BIPP which may issue a BOWLER IDENTIFIED AND PRINTER IN POSITION signal. The AND gate BIPP includes inputs from corresponding contacts on the printers associated with each of lanes two, three and four.

As will be seen, the computer will not begin computation of the score for any given bowler until that bowler has established his identification and the printer is properly positioned at the corresponding bowler line. This is necessary as the computer must be capable of digesting information almost simultaneously from several input sources. Accordingly, means are provided to prevent the computer from standing idle while a printer is being moved to a proper position. As will be seen, the BOWLER IDENTIFIED AND PRINTER IN POSITION signal must be present before the computer will stop and digest information from any of the input sources. For example, if it be assumed that the first bowler on team A has depressed his push button, a 1A signal will be present. When the printer for team A has moved to the bowler one position, a brush on the Y-drive cam will complete the circuit between the contact A1 and the A1-1. Thus, the 1A signal will be fed into the AND gate BIPP as an input. This signal will disable the A