Electronic dart game machine user interface

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic dart game machine comprising a dart board and a central processing unit (CPU). The dart board has distinct scoring areas. The central processing unit (CPU) interprets dart contact with the distinct scoring areas as game set-up information during a game set-up mode.

1 . An improved electronic dart game machine capable of permitting one or more players to play a variety of different dart games, the improved electronic dart game machine comprising: 
 a dart board having a plurality of distinct scoring areas; and    a central processing unit (CPU) interpreting contact with at least one of said plurality of distinct scoring areas as game set-up information during a game set-up mode.    
     
     
         2 . The electronic dart game machine of  claim 1  wherein said game set-up information includes player number, game type and game parameters.  
     
     
         3 . The electronic dart game machine of  claim 1  further including player score displays, said CPU communicating with said player score displays to display said game set-up information.  
     
     
         4 . The electronic dart game machine of  claim 1  wherein said electronic dart game machine is devoid of a video monitor.  
     
     
         5 . The electronic dart game machine of  claim 1  further including a target menu graphic correlating said plurality of distinct scoring areas with game set-up information.  
     
     
         6 . The electronic dart game machine of  claim 5  wherein said target menu graphic is displayed on said electronic dart game machine.  
     
     
         7 . The electronic dart game machine of  claim 5  wherein said target menu graphic is remote from said electronic dart game machine.  
     
     
         8 . The electronic dart game machine of  claim 1  further including a start button, which when pressed, transitions said electronic dart game machine from said game set-up mode to a game play mode.  
     
     
         9 . An improved method for setting up a dart game played on an electronic dart game machine that permits one or more players to play a variety of dart games and that includes a dart board and a central processing unit (CPU), said dart board having a plurality of distinct scoring areas, said method comprising: 
 tapping at least one of the plurality of distinct scoring areas of the dart board;    detecting said tapping step; and    interpreting said detecting step as game set-up information during a game set-up mode.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said game set-up information includes player number, game type and game parameters.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further including communicating with player score displays to display said game set-up information.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  further including correlating the plurality of distinct scoring areas with game set-up information through a target menu graphic.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  further including locating a target menu graphic on the electronic dart game machine.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  further including locating a target menu graphic remote from the electronic dart game machine.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  further including transitioning from the game set-up mode to a game play mode by pressing a start button located on the electronic dart game machine.  
     
     
         16 . An electronic dart game machine that is capable of permitting one or more players to play a variety of dart games through a simplified user interface, said electronic dart game machine comprising: 
 a dart board having a plurality of distinct scoring areas;    a central processing unit (CPU) detecting contact with at least one of said plurality of distinct scoring areas, said CPU interpreting said contact as game set-up information during a game set-up mode, said game set-up information including player number, game type and game parameters;    player score displays, said CPU communicating with said player score displays to display said game set-up information;    a target menu graphic correlating at least one of said plurality of distinct scoring areas with game set-up information; and    a start button, which when pressed, transitions said electronic dart game machine from said game set-up mode to a game play mode.    
     
     
         17 . The electronic dart game machine of  claim 16  wherein said electronic dart game machine is devoid of a video monitor.  
     
     
         18 . The electronic dart game machine of  claim 16  wherein said target menu graphic is displayed on said electronic dart game machine.  
     
     
         19 . The electronic dart game machine of  claim 16  wherein said target menu graphic is remote from said electronic dart game machine.  
     
     
         20 . The electronic dart game machine of  claim 16  wherein said contact is dart contact.