초록 ▼

A game apparatus and method can determine flight characteristics of an object propelled by a player from a launch site toward a backstop. The foregoing can operate with a launch detector located at the launch site for producing a launch signal in response to launching of the object. A backstop sensi

A game apparatus and method can determine flight characteristics of an object propelled by a player from a launch site toward a backstop. The foregoing can operate with a launch detector located at the launch site for producing a launch signal in response to launching of the object. A backstop sensing arrangement may be employed at the backstop having at least one spaced pair of sensors for producing a pair of arrival signals in response to arrival of the object at the backstop. A processor may be employed, which is coupled to the launch detector and the backstop sensing arrangement. The processor can (a) determine the relative response times of the launch detector and the backstop sensing arrangement, and (b) produce a characteristic signal as a function of the relative arrival times of the pair of arrival signals.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Game apparatus for determining flight characteristics of an object propelled by a player from a launch site toward a backstop, comprising:a launch detector located at said launch site for producing a launch signal in response to launching of said object; backstop sensing means located at said bac

1. Game apparatus for determining flight characteristics of an object propelled by a player from a launch site toward a backstop, comprising:a launch detector located at said launch site for producing a launch signal in response to launching of said object; backstop sensing means located at said backstop and having at least one spaced pair of sensors for producing a pair of arrival signals in response to arrival of said object at said backstop, said sensors being adapted for mounting at opposite edges of said backstop in order to produce said arrival signals in response to inward tension caused by impact of said object with said backstop; processing means coupled to said launch detector and said backstop sensing means for (a) deriving object velocity from relative response times of said launch detector and said backstop sensing means, and (b) producing a lateral position signal as a function of object velocity and relative arrival times of said pair of arrival signals, the relative arrival times being based on a time differential for successive achievement at opposite edges of said backstop of an inward tension producing a response in excess of a predetermined amount.