U.S. patent application number 11/610202 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard.
Invention is credited to Chih-Hao YIU.
Application Number | 20070228659 11/610202 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38460398 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070228659 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YIU; Chih-Hao |
October 4, 2007 |
Unidirectional Coil Induction System for a Dartboard
Abstract
A unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard
comprises: a plurality of induction loops electrically connected to
an electronic scoring circuit and a comparison circuit that are
disposed on a dartboard. The dartboard is equally divided into a
plurality of scoring areas, each scoring area includes at least one
induction loop. All the induction loops wind in the same direction
and are positioned in the dartboard. When the dart lands on the
dartboard, one of the induction loops will produce a positive
induction signal, and a neighboring induction loop will produce a
negative induction signal, and then the comparison circuit will
inform the electronic scoring circuit to score after determining
the induction loop of the scoring area in which the dart lands.
Therefore, the present invention can prevent the problem of wrong
scoring caused by the dart synchronously cutting several induction
loops, and can improve the scoring accuracy.
Inventors: |
YIU; Chih-Hao; (Taichung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANGER SHIA
204 CANYON CREEK
VICTORIA
TX
77901
US
|
Family ID: |
38460398 |
Appl. No.: |
11/610202 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41J 5/04 20130101; F41J
3/00 20130101; F41J 5/052 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/408 |
International
Class: |
F41J 3/02 20060101
F41J003/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 3, 2006 |
CN |
200610066483.0 |
Claims
1. A unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard,
comprising: a dart, a dartboard, a frame, a plurality of induction
loops, an electronic scoring circuit, the dartboard and the frame
being divided into a plurality of scoring areas, each scoring area
being provided with at least one induction loop, characterized in
that: the induction loops wind in the same direction and are
positioned in the dartboard; a comparison circuit is electrically
connected to the respective induction loops and the electronic
scoring circuit, when the dart lands on the dartboard, one of the
induction loops will produce a positive induction signal, and a
neighboring induction loop will produce a negative induction
signal, and then the comparison circuit will inform the electronic
scoring circuit to score after determining the induction loop of
the scoring area in which the dart lands.
2. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic dart will pass through the
induction loops during landing.
3. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 2, wherein the induction loops on the dartboard
are arranged in a staggered manner, so that the scoring area with
the staggered induction loops will sense two positive induction
signals.
4. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 2, wherein the comparison circuit will inform the
electronic scoring unit to score by wireless means after
determining the induction loop of the scoring area in which the
dart lands.
5. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 1, wherein: the dartboard serves as a target for
the dart, in a front surface of the dartboard are formed grooves
that cross one another, and at each position where the grooves meet
is formed a through hole that penetrates from the front surface to
a rear surface of the dartboard, the grooves are radially arranged
to separate the dartboard equally into a plurality of fan-shaped
scoring areas and a central circular scoring area; the frame is
arranged to form a net-shaped structure according to the
arrangement of the scoring areas, and the frame is received in the
groove of the dartboard; each of the induction loops has a first
signal end and a second signal end and winds around the respective
scoring areas, the respective induction loops winds from the first
signal ends to the second signal end, and the induction loops wind
in the same direction and are positioned in receiving grooves of
the frame; the comparison circuit is disposed on the dartboard and
is connected to the respective induction loops; the electronic
scoring circuit is disposed on the dartboard and is connected to
the comparison circuit and serves to figure out the score of the
respective scoring areas of the dartboard based on combined signal
of the comparison circuit.
6. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 2, wherein: the dartboard serves as a target for
the dart, in a front surface of the dartboard are formed grooves
that cross one another, and at each position where the grooves meet
is formed a through hole that penetrates from the front surface to
a rear surface of the dartboard, the grooves are radially arranged
to separate the dartboard equally into a plurality of fan-shaped
scoring areas and a central circular scoring area; the frame is
arranged to form a net-shaped structure according to the
arrangement of the scoring areas, and the frame is received in the
groove of the dartboard; each of the induction loops has a first
signal end and a second signal end and winds around the respective
scoring areas, the respective induction loops winds from the first
signal ends to the second signal end, and the induction loops wind
in the same direction and are positioned in receiving grooves of
the frame; the comparison circuit is disposed on the dartboard and
is connected to the respective induction loops; the electronic
scoring circuit is disposed on the dartboard and is connected to
the comparison circuit and serves to figure out the score of the
respective scoring areas of the dartboard based on combined signal
of the comparison circuit.
7. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 3, wherein: the dartboard serves as a target for
the dart, in a front surface of the dartboard are formed grooves
that cross one another, and at each position where the grooves meet
is formed a through hole that penetrates from the front surface to
a rear surface of the dartboard, the grooves are radially arranged
to separate the dartboard equally into a plurality of fan-shaped
scoring areas and a central circular scoring area; the frame is
arranged to form a net-shaped structure according to the
arrangement of the scoring areas, and the frame is received in the
groove of the dartboard; each of the induction loops has a first
signal end and a second signal end and winds around the respective
scoring areas, the respective induction loops winds from the first
signal ends to the second signal end, and the induction loops wind
in the same direction and are positioned in receiving grooves of
the frame; the comparison circuit is disposed on the dartboard and
is connected to the respective induction loops; the electronic
scoring circuit is disposed on the dartboard and is connected to
the comparison circuit and serves to figure out the score of the
respective scoring areas of the dartboard based on combined signal
of the comparison circuit.
8. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 4, wherein: the dartboard serves as a target for
the dart, in a front surface of the dartboard are formed grooves
that cross one another, and at each position where the grooves meet
is formed a through hole that penetrates from the front surface to
a rear surface of the dartboard, the grooves are radially arranged
to separate the dartboard equally into a plurality of fan-shaped
scoring areas and a central circular scoring area; the frame is
arranged to form a net-shaped structure according to the
arrangement of the scoring areas, and the frame is received in the
groove of the dartboard; each of the induction loops has a first
signal end and a second signal end and winds around the respective
scoring areas, the respective induction loops winds from the first
signal ends to the second signal end, and the induction loops wind
in the same direction and are positioned in receiving grooves of
the frame; the comparison circuit is disposed on the dartboard and
is connected to the respective induction loops; the electronic
scoring circuit is disposed on the dartboard and is connected to
the comparison circuit and serves to figure out the score of the
respective scoring areas of the dartboard based on combined signal
of the comparison circuit.
9. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the induction loops will produce a
forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart hits lines of
magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart decelerates, the
induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will
output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal
creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal,
and neighboring induction loops will produce a negative induction
signal, and the negative induction signal creates a backward
distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.
10. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 2, wherein the induction loops will produce a
forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart hits lines of
magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart decelerates, the
induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will
output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal
creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal,
and neighboring induction loops will produce a negative induction
signal, and the negative induction signal creates a backward
distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.
11. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 3, wherein the induction loops will produce a
forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart hits lines of
magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart decelerates, the
induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will
output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal
creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal,
and neighboring induction loops will produce a negative induction
signal, and the negative induction signal creates a backward
distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.
12. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 4, wherein the induction loops will produce a
forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart hits lines of
magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart decelerates, the
induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will
output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal
creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal,
and neighboring induction loops will produce a negative induction
signal, and the negative induction signal creates a backward
distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.
13. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 5, wherein the induction loops will produce a
forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart hits lines of
magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart decelerates, the
induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will
output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal
creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal,
and neighboring induction loops will produce a negative induction
signal, and the negative induction signal creates a backward
distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.
14. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 6, wherein the induction loops will produce a
forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart hits lines of
magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart decelerates, the
induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will
output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal
creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal,
and neighboring induction loops will produce a negative induction
signal, and the negative induction signal creates a backward
distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.
15. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 7, wherein the induction loops will produce a
forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart hits lines of
magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart decelerates, the
induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will
output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal
creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal,
and neighboring induction loops will produce a negative induction
signal, and the negative induction signal creates a backward
distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.
16. The unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard as
claimed in claim 8, wherein the induction loops will produce a
forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart hits lines of
magnetic force at a high speed, and when the dart decelerates, the
induction loops will produce a backward distorted wave and will
output a positive induction signal, the positive induction signal
creates a forward distorted signal and a backward distorted signal,
and neighboring induction loops will produce a negative induction
signal, and the negative induction signal creates a backward
distorted signal and a forward distorted signal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the arrangement of magnetic
induction coils, and more particularly to a verification and
scoring system for a dartboard used to record score automatically
by using induction coils, which can prevent misjudgment and improve
the scoring accuracy.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Dart game is one of the major sports and recreation
activities, therefore, the demand for improving the technology of
dart products grows increasingly. To cope with the demand for
innovation and change, various target products also need to be
improved in terms of accuracy, convenience and quality. And
induction-scoring has long become an important selling point that
the dartboard manufactures are competing for, and such a scoring
function has already been used in international dart competitions.
Therefore, finding an electronic dartboard scoring equipment to
better meet the users' requirement has become an important issue
for the manufacturers.
[0005] Currently, the magnetic induction type electronic dartboard
sold on the market has been improved in many aspects, however, most
of the magnetic induction type electronic dartboards are provided
with permanent magnetic dart or electrical induction dart. Both of
the abovementioned two dartboards should be provided with induction
coils around the respective scoring areas, and the induction coils
in the scoring area to which the magnetic dart lands serve to
output the induction signals to create a score. An invention
disclosed by Tw Pat. No. 00558628 (apparatus and method for
magnetizing a dart) is shown in FIG. 1.
[0006] In which, induction coils 11 are wound around the scoring
area 10 and are connected to a scoring device, at the instant a
magnetic dart hits the scoring area 10, the induction coils 11 in
the scoring area to which the dart lands will output an induction
signal to the scoring device, so as to enable the scoring device to
execute calculation and display based on the induction signal.
Although this conventional scoring system can create and record a
score after the dart lands on the electronic dartboard, it still
has the problem as follows:
[0007] The induction coils 11 don't have the function of preventing
the neighboring induction, if the magnetic dart hits the edge of
the scoring area, the neighboring induction coils 11 will cut the
lines of magnetic force of the magnetic dart, causing misjudgment
and wrong scoring.
[0008] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate
the afore-described disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a unidirectional coil induction system for a dartboard capable of
preventing misjudgment and providing accurate scoring
operation.
[0010] To achieve the abovementioned objective, a unidirectional
coil induction system for a dartboard in accordance with the
present invention comprises: a plurality of induction loops
electrically connected to an electronic scoring circuit and a
comparison circuit that are disposed on a dartboard. The dartboard
is equally divided into a plurality of scoring areas, each scoring
area includes at least one induction loop. All the induction loops
wind in the same direction and are positioned in the dartboard.
When the dart lands on the dartboard, one of the induction loops
will produce a positive induction signal, and a neighboring
induction loop will produce a negative induction signal, and then
the comparison circuit will inform the electronic scoring circuit
to score after determining the induction loop of the scoring area
in which the dart lands. Therefore, the present invention can
prevent the problem of wrong scoring when the dart synchronously
cut several induction loops, and can improve the scoring
accuracy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of showing a conventional
induction system for a dartboard;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a unidirectional coil
induction system for a dartboard in accordance with the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of the coils in accordance
with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an operational view in accordance with the present
invention of showing the coils when the dart is landing; and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of showing the scoring operation in
accordance with the present invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The present invention will be more clear from the following
description when viewed together with the accompanying drawings,
which show, for purpose of illustrations only, the preferred
embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
[0017] Please refer to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, which are an exploded view
of the structure of the present invention, an illustrative view of
the coils, and a flow chart of showing the scoring operation,
respectively, meanwhile, please refer to the following description
of the embodiments of the present invention.
[0018] The present invention comprises a dartboard 20, a frame 30,
induction loops 40, a comparison circuit 50, and an electronic
scoring circuit 70, which are to be used with a magnetic dart 60 to
create a scoring function. During landing, the magnetic dart 60
will pass through the induction loops 40. The dartboard 20, the
frame 30, and the dart 60 are not the key point of the present
invention but the cooperative elements of the preferred
embodiment.
[0019] The dartboard 20 serves as a target for the magnetic dart
60. In the front surface of the dartboard 20 are formed grooves 21
that cross one another, and at the position where the grooves 21
meet is formed a through hole that penetrates from the front
surface to the rear surface of the dartboard 20. The grooves 21 are
radially arranged to separate the dartboard 20 equally into a
plurality of fan-shaped scoring areas 22 and a central circular
scoring area 22.
[0020] The frame 30 is arranged to form a net-shaped frame
according to the arrangement of the scoring areas 22 and is
disposed in the grooves 21 of the dartboard 20. In the top surface
of the frame 30 are formed receiving grooves (not shown).
[0021] Each of the induction loops 40 has a first signal end 41 and
a second signal end 42 and winds around the respective scoring
areas 22. The respective induction loops 40 winds from the first
signal ends 41 to the second signal end 42, and all the induction
loops 40 wind in the same direction and are positioned in the
receiving grooves of the frame 30. The induction loop 40 can
produce an effect of magnetic line cutting during the landing of
the magnetic dart, and then output a positive induction signal A.
Meanwhile, the induction loop 40 neighboring the induction loop 40
producing the positive induction signal A will produce a negative
induction signal B.
[0022] The comparison circuit 50 is disposed on the dartboard 20
and electrically connected to the respective induction loops 40 for
receiving the positive induction signal A and the negative
induction signal B from the respective induction loops 40. And
then, by analyzing the positive induction signal A and negative
induction signal B, the comparison circuit 50 can determine the
unique induction loop 40 in which the dart lands.
[0023] The electronic scoring circuit 70 is disposed on the
dartboard 20 and is connected to the comparison circuit 50. And the
electronic scoring unit 70 figures out the score of the respective
scoring areas 22 of the dartboard 20 based on the combined signal
of the comparison circuit 50.
[0024] For a better understanding of the embodiment, its operation
and function, reference should be made to FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0025] The respective induction loops 40 winds around the
respective scoring areas 22 of the dartboard 20 from the first
signal end 41 to the second signal end 42. The respective induction
loops 40 winds in the same direction and is positioned on the
dartboard 20. The comparison circuit 50 is connected to the
respective induction loops 40 for receiving the positive induction
signal A and the negative induction signal B from the induction
loops 40. And then the comparison circuit 50 can determine the
unique induction loop 40 in which the dart lands based on the
positive induction signal A and the negative induction signal B.
And finally, the electronic scoring unit 70 figures out the score
of the respective scoring areas 22 of the dartboard 20 based on the
combined signal of the comparison circuit 50.
[0026] When the dart lands on the unique induction loop 40, the
magnetic dart 60 will cut the lines of magnetic force of the
induction loop at the instant it hits the dartboard. The induction
loop will produce a forward distorted wave when the magnetic dart
60 hits the lines of magnetic force at a high speed. And when the
dart decelerates, the induction loop will produce a backward
distorted wave and will output a positive induction signal A. The
positive induction signal A creates a forward distorted signal and
a backward distorted signal that are to be transmitted from the
first signal end 41 to the second signal end 42. Another induction
loop 40 neighboring the induction loop 40 that generates the
positive induction signal A will produce a negative induction
signal B, and the negative induction signal B creates a backward
distorted signal and a forward distorted signal. The negative
induction signal B is outputted from the second end 42 to the first
end 41, and the negative induction signal B prevents the
neighboring induction loop 40 from being affected by the magnetic
dart 60.
[0027] Therefore, the comparison circuit 50 can determine the
unique induction loop 40 in which the dart lands based on the
positive induction signal A and the negative induction signal B,
thus preventing the occurrence of misjudgment and wrong
scoring.
[0028] It is to be noted that the induction loops on the dartboard
can be arranged in a staggered manner according to design (two
staggered induction loops wind around a predetermined scoring
area). The two staggered induction loops will produce positive
induction signals at the time the dart lands on the dartboard, and
the induction loops neighboring the two staggered induction loops
will produce negative induction signals. Further, after the
comparison circuit determines the induction loop of the scoring
area in which the dart lands, it can inform the electronic scoring
unit to score by wireless means.
[0029] To summarize, the innovative design of the present invention
is that the dartboard is provided with a plurality of induction
loops, an electronic scoring circuit, and a comparison circuit. The
dartboard is equally divided into a plurality of scoring areas, and
each scoring area is provided with an induction loop. All the
induction loops wind in the dartboard and cooperate with the
electronic scoring circuit to record the score of the respective
scoring areas. When a dart lands on the dartboard, the induction
loop around the scoring area in which the dart lands will produce a
positive induction signal, and the neighboring induction loop will
produce a negative induction signal, and then the comparison
circuit will inform the electronic scoring circuit to calculate the
score after determining the induction loop of the scoring area in
which the dart lands. Therefore, the present invention can prevent
the problem of wrong scoring caused by the dart synchronously
cutting several induction loops, and can improve the scoring
accuracy.
[0030] While we have shown and described various embodiments in
accordance with the present invention, it is clear to those skilled
in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *