Amusement devices: games – Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor... – Target
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-22
2001-08-28
Martin-Wallace, Valencia (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor...
Target
C273S408000, C463S007000, C463S053000, C463S054000, C463S056000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279912
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to computer controlled games. In particular, the present invention relates to a computer dart game which allows players to engage in a simulated tug-of-war contest.
The ancient game of darts has long been a mainstay of bars, restaurants, and even homes. Many versions and variants of darts exist, including, for example, Cricket and Random Cricket. Only recently, however, have inventors applied modern electronics and computer technology to the game of darts and thereby allowed entirely new developments in and variations of dart based games.
Electronic dart games and associated electronics are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,401,033 to Lychock, Jr., 4,057,251 to Jones et al., 4,561,660 to Zammuto, and 4,586,716 to Brejcha et al. The Lychock, Jones, Zammuto, and Brejcha patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The Lychock patent, for instance, discloses an electronic dart game with a random target number generator that may be used to play a random Cricket game. The Lychock dart game randomly generates target values for display on an electronic dart board, and fixes for future reference only those values marked by a dart hit during a player's turn. Because the target values change while the game is being played, more interesting, challenging, and exciting play results.
Recent developments in computerized dart games have also provided a video display associated the dart game. The video display may show the current scores, advertisements, diagnostic information, and the like. Such an electronic dart game is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,121 to Beall et al. The Beall patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Furthermore, entirely new possibilities for multiple player competitive or cooperative play have been provided by the Multiple Target Electronic Dart Game disclosed by Martin in U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,806. In the Martin patent, two independent electronic dart boards operate under the supervision of a single microcontroller. A display also operates under control of the microcontroller and may show player scores in a split screen display (for independently played games) or in a single display (for multi-player competitive or cooperative games). The Martin patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Although (as illustrated above) current electronics technology has provided the hardware for new interesting and exciting dart games, few such dart games have been created. In particular, few, if any, dart games are known that take advantage of the display to provide anything other than a simple display of the current scores. In addition, no known games are available that take advantage of the dual player nature of the Multiple Target Dart Game disclosed by Martin for anything other than a simple display of scores. Without new and exciting games, of course, it is more difficult for dart game manufacturers to sell their games and for operators to maintain interest (and therefore profitability) in their games once installed.
A need has long existed in the industry for new and entertaining computerized dart games.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a computerized tug-of-war dart game.
It is another object of the present invention to provide engaging graphics associated with a computerized tug-of-war dart game.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a single player tug-of-war dart game.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multiplayer tug-of-war dart game.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a tug of war dart game using multiple independent electronic dart boards.
The present invention provides an apparatus for playing and method of controlling a computerized dart game of simulated tug-of-war. The method generates on a display a goal graphic, at least one player graphic, and at least one challenger graphic. The goal graphic typically includes a first side on which the player graphic is initially displayed and a second side on which the challenger graphic is initially displayed. The player graphic may correspond to player
1
, while the challenger graphic may correspond to player
2
, for example.
The method monitors the segments in at least one electronic dart board for hits by darts and determines at least one offset value associated with a segment hit by a dart. The offset value may represent the sum of one or more player values, the sum of one or more challenger values, or the difference between one or more player or challenger values. In a single player game, the method itself may generate a random challenger value. The offset value calculation is not limited to sums and differences, but may be determined by any function.
The method further adjusts, on the display, the position of the player graphic in relation to the first side of the goal and adjusts the position of the challenger graphic in relation to the second side of the goal. The amount of adjustment is based on the offset value. When the challenger graphic is adjusted to cross the second side of the goal graphic, the method declares the player a winner and when the player graphic is adjusted to cross the first side of the goal graphic, the method declares the challenger a winner.
Preferably, the method monitors two (or more) independent electronic dart boards. Each dart board may be connected to and controlled by a single controller. The single controller may then scan each dart board in turn to determine the segments hit by darts thrown by the player and the challenger.
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Martin John R.
Ward Timothy J.
Arachnid, Inc.
Martin-Wallace Valencia
McAndrews Held & Malloy Ltd.
White Carmen D.
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