Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bowling center systems and, more particularly, to bowling games, bowling systems and equipment used in a bowling center, for example. The bowling system, includes: one or more non-contact sensors which are configured to detect a position of a bowling ball as it is rolling down a bowling lane; a lighting system configured to light predetermined locations within a bowling centre in predetermined arrangements; and an electronic control system which receives signals from the one or more non-contact sensors, determines a position of the bowling ball on the bowling lane and provides signals to the lighting system to light the predetermined locations within the bowling centre in the predetermined arrangements.

Abstract: A bowling centre includes at least one bowling lane along which the bowl is rolled and having a rolling surface at one end of which are positioned the pins to be knocked down and at the opposite, longitudinal end of which is located the bowler's bay from where the bowl is thrown, the at least one lane including a side bumper running along each side of the lane and movable between a lowered position which allows the bowl to roll freely off the lane into a gutter which channels the bowl out of the lane, and a raised position for keeping the bowl on the bowling lane; an electronic control system configured to manage the at least one lane to implement a scoring program which calculates the score of the game played on the at least one lane; a lighting system includes a plurality of lighting units mounted on each side bumper, the lighting system being connected to the electronic control system which is configured to individually control each lighting unit in such a way as to light respective zones of each bumper in

Abstract: Described is a system for managing at least one event in a bowling establishment or similar facility (10). The bowling establishment includes at least one lane (12) along which a bowl (13) is rolled and an apparatus (16) for setting up the pins (P) and returning the bowl (13). The system further includes elements for generating a signal relating to an event, the event advantageously producing a condition calling for service to be carried out on the pin setting up apparatus.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a distributed bowling center system includes two or more computing devices associated with respective bowling center peripherals. The bowling center peripherals are any electronic or mechanical device in a bowling center capable of detecting a bowling event or receiving input. Example bowling center peripherals include a pinsetter, a monitor, a bumper, a keypad, or a touchscreen. The bowling center peripherals are configured to perform at least one bowler center function. The computing devices are configured to execute at least one process related to a bowler center function of the associated peripheral. Each computing device is located physically closer to the peripheral than the other computer device. The computing devices are in communication via a network. The computing devices are configured to access a process map defining the communication, which is responsive to the at least one bowler center function.

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 device for displaying information, in particular for bowling alleys, comprises first detector means (30), to detect an arrangement pattern of one or more bowling pins (11) and generate a corresponding main detection signal (110), incorporating an identification code (111), and a control unit (40), connected to the first detector means (30), for receiving the main detection signal (110) at input; the control unit (40) is set up in such a way that at output it transmits at least one animation (45) according to the identification code (111) incorporated in the main detection signal (110). The device (1) is also equipped with a display element (50), connected to the control unit (40), for receiving the animation (45) at input and allowing it to be displayed.

Abstract: The display unit includes a plurality of display devices provided in a unit of one lane or a plurality of lanes and each incorporating a wall surface corresponding to the unit and covering the pin setter above the lane as their respective display surfaces, and a display controller for controlling the display according to specified states such as a pin state after a bowl, a score counting state of the bowling game, or a state of a game other than the bowling game which is run based on the pin state or the counted score.

Abstract: A scoring system for a bowling center having a plurality of lanes includes scoring consoles equal in number to the number of lanes in the bowling center. Each scoring console includes a housing and an input system in the housing for receiving user input data related to the associated lane. The console includes a display device having a surface for displaying video images and a housing for the display device. The housing supports the display device and includes a flange surrounding an open area defining a quadrilateral opening in the housing for viewing the display surface. The display device attaches to the mounting portion. In this manner, the mounting assembly draws the flange toward the display surface to conform the flange to the three-dimensional surface configuration of the display surface.

Abstract: An automatic bowling pin setting apparatus and method for setting pins in a given pattern on a pin deck comprises detecting standing pins after a first ball has been rolled, clearing the pin deck of all pins, both standing and deadwood, and replacing the standing pins with replacement pins which have been stored in spotting cups above each of the pin setting locations of the pattern. The standing pin detection, pin deck clearing, and replacement of standing pins is made in a single cycle, thus eliminating the traditional standing pin lifting cycle. Spotting deck and rake movement are coordinated using shafts having continuous grooves of varying pitch with sliding members attached to the spotting deck and rake for controlling their coordinated movement with variable speed in a synchronized manner, thus permitting the single cycle for detecting standing pins, clearing the pin deck of all pins, and replacing those pins which were standing.

Abstract: An automated character-based bowling scoring display system provides voltage level encoding of separate red, green, and blue digital signals into a single analog signal for transmission at a standard transmission frequency or a reduced transmission frequency over a single coaxial cable stretching approximately 200 feet to a remote monitor residing in an overhead console. The system provides monitor display of various sizes and fonts of alphanumeric and graphical characters stored in hardware. The reduced transmission frequency results in a wider character when displayed. The system can store up to four additional pages of character information which can be successively and rapidly displayed on a monitor thereby mimicking the animation capability inherent in a more expensive and sophisticated bit-mapped graphics system.

Abstract: A combination bowling pinspotter and pinspotter control chassis system is disclosed which provides a bowling pinspotter having circuitry for permitting the spotting of bowling pins and an all solid state pinspotter control chassis coupled to the pinspotter for controlling the operation of the pinspotter. The all solid state pinspotter controller provides circuitry for executing a short strike cycles. In addition, the pinspotter controller secures power to a back end motor of the pinspotter in order to conserve the energy consumed by the back end motor. The pinspotter controller provides circuitry coupled to a remote control console for permitting the pinspotter to complete a current cycle prior to executing a shut down command for the pinspotter from the remote control console. In addition, the all solid state pinspotter controller retains status and position data for the pinspotter during power interrupts.