Abstract: An interactive bowling system using scoring systems and/or other computer infrastructures which interact with visual and/or audio effects within the bowling center. The system includes a management system having stored therein instructions to provide special effects associated with one or more events to one or more special effects components. Upon an occurrence of an event, the management system: determines that the occurrence of the event is associated with one or more special effects; and provides the instructions to the one or more special effects components to effectuate the special effects associated with the one or more events.

Abstract: A bowling teaching device and method having a frame having legs sized to fit in the gutters on each side of a bowling alley lane. The frame has a cross member spanning over the lane from the legs, the cross member being spaced from the lane surface by a specified distance. At least one strip is removably mounted on the cross member, the strip hanging down toward the lane surface for a distance sufficient to permit a bowling ball to contact the strip. The device is placed at a location in the bowling alley lane so the at least one strip provides a target for the bowler to aim at during practice bowling.

Abstract: A system and method for graphically and statistically analyzing and predicting the motion of a bowling ball. In one embodiment, the system includes an automatic precision ball thrower, a computer aided tracking system (“C.A.T.S.”), and a computing device. Certain static properties of the bowling ball are recorded as independent variables. The automatic precision ball thrower is used to throw the bowling ball down the lane a number of times and the C.A.T.S. records various dynamic characteristics of its path. This data is received by the computing device which uses it to calculate a plurality of dependent variables associated with the path of the bowling ball. The computing device relates the independent variables to the dependent variables using multivariable regression analysis, yielding a set of equations which can be used to predict the dependent variables (or dynamic characteristics) of a second bowling ball given a set of independent variables (or static characteristics of the second bowling ball).

Abstract: A device for displaying information, in particular for bowling alleys, comprises first detector mechanism, to detect an arrangement pattern of one or more bowling pins and generate a corresponding main detection signal, incorporating an identification code, and a control unit, connected to the first detector mechanism, for receiving the main detection signal at input; the control unit is set up in such a way that at output it transmits at least one animation according to the identification code incorporated in the main detection signal. The device is also equipped with a display element, connected to the control unit, for receiving the animation at input and allowing it to be displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for graphically and statistically analyzing and predicting the motion of a bowling ball. In one embodiment, the system includes an automatic precision ball thrower, a computer aided tracking system (“C.A.T.S.”), and a computing device. Certain static properties of the bowling ball are recorded as independent variables. The automatic precision ball thrower is used to throw the bowling ball down the lane a number of times and the C.A.T.S. records various dynamic characteristics of its path. This data is received by the computing device which uses it to calculate a plurality of dependent variables associated with the path of the bowling ball. The computing device relates the independent variables to the dependent variables using multivariable regression analysis, yielding a set of equations which can be used to predict the dependent variables (or dynamic characteristics) of a second bowling ball given a set of independent variables (or static characteristics of the second bowling ball).

Abstract: A sports training aid that displays multiple surface-targets so as to aid the practitioner in acquiring accurate alignment, identifying an intermediate surface-target upon which to focus, and building confidence. The training aid utilizes a beginning point (16a), intermediate target (16b), and ultimate target (16c) sources. The surface-target displayed by the ultimate target source (16c) is used to aim at the point where the practitioner ultimately wants his or her ball or object to come to rest. The ball or object is placed upon the surface-target displayed by the beginning point source (16a) and is hit so that it passes over the surface-target displayed by the intermediate target source (16b), and if hit with the correct amount of force, it will come to rest in or upon the ultimate target. The target sources are housed in or upon the target source containment base (14) and the target source containment base is supported by an angled support shaft (12) which is supported by a weighted base (10).

Abstract: A bowling system for the visually impaired includes a handle slidable upon a rope suspended between two post set in shallow plates on the floor of a bowling alley between the ball return and foul line to guide the bowler to the foul line. A metal ring having a straight arm or rope with bells attached is looped around the post closest to the foul line to signal the bowler's proximity to the foul line. A hand-held remote control device is provided for actuating audible signals from speakers suspended above the bowling lane on a support having a pair of base elements seated on the lane dividers on either side of the lane. The audible signals indicate to the bowler the direction to aim the bowling ball.

Abstract: A bowling game enhances the traditional scoring of a strike or a spare when the bowler is able to time the rolling of the ball by a preselected location on the lane with a preselected location of an image being scanned transversely across the lane. The game uses a laser beam for illuminating a series of images in the form of spots of light, and in a sequencing fashion, moves the spots of light across the lane for viewing by the bowler during the rolling of the bowling ball towards standing pins. A sensor is positioned at a preselected location along side the lane for determining when the ball reaches the predetermined location. A processor provides an enhanced scoring to the otherwise traditional scoring when the ball reaches the preselected location at the same time a particular preselected spot of light reaches a particular location on the lane.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates an improved ball ramp assembly that enables even the most severely handicapped bowler to guide and accelerate a bowling ball toward the intended bowling pins. The bowling ramp assembly includes a ramp having a ball guide defining a ball path along the ramp, a base coupled to a proximal end of the ramp for supporting the ramp, a ball release coupled to the ramp for selectively controlling travel of the ball along the ramp, and a positioning assembly coupled to the ramp for adjusting the orientation of the ramp. The ball release includes a ball stopping member that moves between a ball blocking position and a ball releasing position. The positioning assembly includes at least one motor coupled to the ramp and a wheel located at the distal end of the ramp. The ball release and positioning assembly are both controlled by switches which may be located remotely from the ramp.

Abstract: An apparatus including a bowling lane, pins positioned on one end of the bowling lane, a bowling ball adapted to be launched down the bowling lane toward the bowling balls, and a spin detector for determining a spin rate of the bowling ball as the bowling ball travels down the bowling lane. An angle detector detects the angle of the spin axis of the bowling ball. The apparatus also measures and displays information relating to ball velocity, ball position, coefficient of friction, launch angle, and entry angle.

Abstract: A bowling game enhances the traditional scoring of a strike or a spare when the bowler is able to time the rolling of the ball by a preselected location on the lane with a preselected location of an image being scanned transversely across the lane. The game uses a laser beam for illuminating a series of images in the form of spots of light, and in a sequencing fashion, moves the spots of light across the lane for viewing by the bowler during the rolling of the bowling ball towards standing pins. A sensor is positioned at a preselected location along side the lane for determining when the ball reaches the predetermined location. A processor provides an enhanced scoring to the otherwise traditional scoring when the ball reaches the preselected location at the same time a particular preselected spot of light reaches a particular location on the lane.

Abstract: A new Bowler's Training Device for helping a bowler roll higher scores. The inventive device includes a housing disposed above the surface of the lane, a first adjustable light emitting device in the housing emitting a light beam onto the lane providing a ball lay down indicating point, and a second adjustable light emitting device in the housing emitting a light beam onto the lane providing an indicating line indicating the bowling ball travel path.

Abstract: A bowling center system includes a plurality of lane pair control systems each including a pinsetting device for each lane, a pinsetter control unit, a game control unit, a bowler input station and a pair of overhead display monitors. The game control unit is operable under the control of a game control program stored in a memory for automatically operating the pinsetter control units during game play to selectively set a sequence of pin patterns on the lane, which patterns may comprise any array of pins. The game control unit responsive to pin fall data received from the gamesetter generates scoring information which is displayed using video graphic displays on the overhead monitors. The game control program can be any one of a plurality of different game programs which may be downloaded to the memory from a memory associated with the manager's control terminal.

Abstract: A laser bowling ball guiding apparatus includes a projector, a laser beam emitted from the projector, and a diverging lens or at least one movable mirror for receiving the laser beam and projecting the laser beam onto a surface of a bowling alley and onto bowling pins so as to display a proper release point, trajectory and impact point for a bowling ball to follow. The apparatus can also employ a control mechanism connected to the projector for controlling transmitting of the laser beam. The projector is generally mounted to a ceiling or on a tripod. The control mechanism is adapted to receive an input of information and is operable to calculate the proper release point, trajectory and impact point for the bowling ball to follow. The diverging lens converts and projects the laser beam into the form of a line onto the surface of the bowling alley and onto the bowling pins.

Abstract: Bowling lanes are equipped typically with first monitoring devices serving to verify the position of the pins and second monitoring devices designed to detect the passage of the balls, also a first control station connected both to the first and second monitoring devices and to the actuator of a machine for recovering and setting up the pins, in such a way that the game can be run and supervised according to a selected program and on the basis of the information received in signals returned by the two sets of monitoring devices; in the equipment disclosed, the first and second monitoring devices are incorporated into a single assembly together with a second control station interfaced with the program and connected to a communications network of which the first control station forms a part.

Abstract: A bowling center system includes a plurality of lane pair control systems each including a pinsetting device for each lane, a pinsetter control unit, a game control unit, a bowler input station and a pair of overhead display monitors. The game control unit is operable under the control of a game control program stored in a memory for automatically operating the pinsetter control units during game play to selectively set a sequence of pin patterns on the lane, which patterns may comprise any array of pins. The game control unit responsive to pin fall data received from the gamesetter generates scoring information which is displayed using video graphic displays on the overhead monitors. The game control program can be any one of a plurality of different game programs which may be downloaded to the memory from a memory associated with the manager's control terminal.

Abstract: A bowling scoring system having a graphic user interface includes an input selection device for receiving user input selections. The bowling scoring system is responsive to a pin-fall sensor to compute bowlers' scores which are displayed to provide information to the bowler. The system includes a controller program having various program states for performing a particular one of a plurality of functions. A plurality of input selection keys juxtaposed with the display device to provide input to the controller. Softkey indicia areas on the display device are associated with one of its input selection keys. The controller is responsive to the state of the program for displaying a particular label in at least one of the indicia areas and for performing a function associated with the displayed label in response to actuation of the one of the input selection keys associated with the labeled indidia area.

Abstract: An aiming apparatus for a bowling alley comprising an elongated member, means for supporting the elongated member in a substantially horizontal position above and across the bowling alley, the elongated member being substantially perpendicular to the axis of the bowling alley, and a plurality of independently hanging target panels rotatably attached to the elongated member in a manner such that the target panels are uniformly spaced across the full width of the bowling alley, each of said target panels indicating a corresponding travel path of a bowling ball, said elongated member being positioned above the bowling alley in a manner such that the bowling ball contacts and deflects the bottom portion of an individual one of the targets so as to mark the path of the bowling ball.

Abstract: A support shaft arranged in a spaced relationship relative to a bowling lane top surface is arranged to include slidably mounted signal members, wherein the signal members are arranged for rotary displacement upon communication of a bowling ball with a flange portion of each signal member. Indication of bowling ball path to provide for training and correction of such path is thereby enabled.