Scoring system for a ball activity area

Abstract

A scoring system for a ball activity area is provided. The ball activity area includes a plurality of activity stations, each of which has one or more hoops or tubes through which balls can be thrown. The hoops and tubes are provided with sensors which determine when a ball passes through the hoop or tube, or contacts the hoop. The sensors are in communication with a controller which receives the signals from the sensors. When the controller receives a signal from a sensor, it adds a predetermined number points to a counter, and displays the point total on a score board. The points awarded for different activity stations can be varied depending on the difficulty of passing a ball through the hoop or tube in an activity station.

1 . A play area comprising: 
 a plurality of activity stations each of which comprises at least one opening through which a ball can pass;    at least one sensor associated with said at least one opening of at least one of the activity stations; said sensor emitting a signal when a ball passes through said opening;    a controller including a point counter, said controller being in communication with said at least one sensor to receive the signal from said at least one sensor; said controller incrementing said point counter a determined amount upon receipt of said signal from said at least one sensor; and    a score display in communication with said controller to be activated controller, said score display being indicative of the value of said point counter.    
     
     
         2 . The play area of  claim 1  wherein said sensor includes a transmitter and a receiver, said transmitter emitting an energy beam which is received by said receiver; said transmitter and receiver being positioned such that said beam is interrupted when a ball passes through said opening; said sensor being activated to emit its signal upon said ball disrupting said energy beam.  
     
     
         3 . The play area of  claim 1  wherein said score display comprises a scoring meter, said meter comprising a plurality of lights which are independently activated by said controller based upon the value of said point counter.  
     
     
         4 . The play area of  claim 1  wherein said opening comprises a hoop, said hoops including a rim.  
     
     
         5 . The play area of  claim 4  wherein said hoops are mounted to a wall of said play area and include a backboard; said play area additionally including contact sensors on said hoop rim and/or said backboard; said contact sensors emitting a signal when a ball hits said hoop and/or backboard; said controller receiving said signal from said contact sensor to increment the value of said point counter a determined amount.  
     
     
         6 . The play area of  claim 4  wherein said hoop is mounted within a tub; said tub comprising side, top, and bottom surfaces and a back surface; said play area additionally including contact sensors on said hoop rim and/or one or more of said tub surfaces; said contact sensors emitting a signal when a ball hits said hoop and/or tub surface; said controller receiving said signal from said contact sensor to increment the value of said point counter a determined amount.  
     
     
         7 . The play area of  claim 1  wherein said activity station comprises at least one tube sized to accept a ball; said activity station comprising an entrance to said tube and an exit from said tube; said sensor being positioned along said tube.  
     
     
         8 . The play area of  claim 7  wherein said sensor is positioned adjacent said tube entrance.  
     
     
         9 . The play area of  claim 8  wherein said play area includes a second sensor at said tube exit.  
     
     
         10 . The play area of  claim 7  wherein said tube entrance and exit are mounted in panels, and are vertically spaced apart.  
     
     
         11 . The play are of  claim 7  wherein said activity station comprises a bowl which is elevated with respect to a floor of said play area; said tube entrance being in a wall of said bowl; said activity station comprising an opening in a wall of said activity station through which a ball can pass to enter said bowl; said tube exit being mounted in said activity station wall below said activity station opening.  
     
     
         12 . The play area of  claim 11  wherein said sensor is positioned at said activity station opening.  
     
     
         13 . The play area of  claim 12  wherein said activity station includes at least one additional sensor; said at least one additional sensor being positioned in said bowl opening, said tube entrance, and/or said tube exit.  
     
     
         14 . The play area of  claim 1  wherein said activity station is a pachinko-style activity station; said activity station comprising at least one opening, a chamber below said opening and including a plurality of posts which extend across said chamber; and at least one exit opening below said chamber; whereby said ball enters said activity station through said upper opening, passes through said chamber, and exits said station at said exit opening.  
     
     
         15 . The play area of  claim 14  wherein said sensor is positioned at said opening.  
     
     
         16 . The play area of  claim 15  including at least one additional sensor; said additional sensor being positioned on at least one of said posts and/or at said exit.  
     
     
         17 . The play area of  claim 1  further comprising a light and/or audio effects; said effects being activated by said controller upon receipt of said sensor signal by said controller.  
     
     
         18 . The play area of  claim 17  wherein said light and/or are associated with each of said activity stations; the light and/or audio effects of a particular activity station being activated upon receipt by said controller of a signal from a sensor of said activity station.  
     
     
         19 . The play area of  claim 1  wherein said controller is programmed to play a plurality of different games; said play area comprising a game selector whereby a player can select one of the plurality of games stored in said controller.  
     
     
         20 . The play area of  claim 1  including an activator to initiate a play session in said play area, whereby, when said activator is activated, said controller activates said activity station sensors and zero's said point counter.  
     
     
         21 . The play area of  claim 20  including a timer, said timer being programmed for a predetermined amount of time, whereby, when said predetermined amount of time has lapsed, said timer generates a signal which is received by said controller.  
     
     
         22 . The play area of  claim 21  wherein said controller deactivates said activity station sensors in response to the signal from said timer.  
     
     
         23 . A play area comprising: 
 a plurality of activity stations each of which comprises at least one opening through which a ball can pass;    at least one sensor associated with said at least one opening of at least one of the activity stations; said sensor emitting a signal when a ball passes through said opening;    a controller being in communication with said at least one sensor to receive the signal from said at least one sensor; and    an electronic effect in communication with said controller, said effect being activated by said controller upon receipt by said controller of said sensor signal.    
     
     
         24 . The play area of  claim 23  including a point counter; said point counter being incremented by said controller upon receipt by said controller of said sensor signal; said electronic effect being a visual display, said visual display being indicative of the value of said point counter.  
     
     
         25 . The play area of  claim 23  wherein said electronic effect is a visual effect associated with the activity station.  
     
     
         26 . The play area of  claim 25  wherein said electronic effect comprises lights positioned about said activity station.  
     
     
         27 . The play area of  claim 23  wherein said electronic effect is an audio effect.  
     
     
         28 . An electronic control system for a play area; the play area comprising at least one activity area comprising an opening through which a ball can be thrown; the control system comprising: 
 a sensor at said activity area, said sensor being activated to transmit a signal when a ball enters said activity area;    a controller in communication with said sensor; said controller receiving said signal from said sensor; and    an audio and/or visual effect activated by said controller upon receipt by said controller of said signal from said sensor.    
     
     
         29 . The play area control system of  claim 28  including a point counter; said controller incrementing said point counter upon receipt of a signal from said sensor; said visual effect being a score display which provides a visual indication of the value of the point counter.  
     
     
         30 . The play area control system of  claim 28  wherein said visual effect comprises a one or more lights; said controller activating said lights upon receipt of said sensor signal by said controller.