Method and system for tracking parlor game statistics

Abstract

A method of tracking parlor game statistics and results includes filling in a scorecard at a location of a parlor game, feeding the scorecard into a bill acceptor assembly, scanning the filled-in scorecard with a scanner housed within the bill acceptor assembly, analyzing scanned information within the scorecard through the use of a processing unit, and transmitting analyzed information provided from the scorecard to a results and statistics compiling facility that is remotely located from the parlor game.

1 . A method of tracking parlor game statistics and results, the method comprising:
 filling in a scorecard at a location of a parlor game;   feeding the scorecard into a bill acceptor assembly;   scanning the filled-in scorecard with a scanner housed within the bill acceptor assembly;   analyzing scanned information within the scorecard through the use of a processing unit; and   transmitting analyzed information provided from the scorecard to a results and statistics compiling facility that is remotely located from the parlor game.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising storing game results and statistics in a database at the results and statistics compiling facility. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising transmitting the game results and statistics to the bill acceptor assembly. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising displaying the game results and statistics on a monitor proximate the parlor game. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , comprising selecting particular game results and statistics to be displayed on the monitor through a user interface. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bill acceptor is operatively connected to an electronic dart game machine. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said filling in the scorecard comprises darkening defined areas on the scorecard. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said filling in the scorecard comprises writing on the scorecard. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the parlor game comprises a billiards table. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the scorecard is sized and shaped like a dollar bill. 
   
   
       11 . A system of tracking parlor game statistics and results, the system comprising:
 a parlor game at a first geographic location;   an electronic dart game machine at the first geographic location, said electronic dart game machine being separate and distinct from said parlor game, said electronic dart game machine comprising a bill acceptor assembly having a processor in communication with a scanner, said bill acceptor configured to receive, accept and discern between dollar bills and scorecards for the parlor game, said bill acceptor scanning and analyzing the scorecards for game results related to said parlor game; and   a league operator processing unit in bidirectional communication with said bill acceptor assembly of said electronic dart game machine, said league operator processing unit being in a second geographic location that is separate and distinct from the first location, said league operator processing unit receiving the game results from said bill acceptor assembly, said league operator processing unit storing game results and compiling statistics based on the game results received from the bill acceptor assembly, and said league operator processing unit transmitting the statistics to said bill acceptor assembly.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising a monitor in communication with said bill acceptor assembly at the first location, wherein the statistics are displayed on said monitor. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , comprising a user interface connected to said bill acceptor assembly, said user interface being operable to allow a user to select between statistics and results displayed on said monitor. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said league operator processing unit comprises a memory storage unit, said league operator processing unit storing the game results and the statistics in said memory storage unit. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said scorecards are sized and shaped like dollar bills. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said parlor game comprises a billiards table. 
   
   
       17 . A method of tracking billiards statistics and results, the method comprising:
 filling in a scorecard sized and shaped like a dollar bill at a location of a billiards table;   feeding the scorecard into a bill acceptor assembly of an electronic dart game machine that is proximate the billiards table;   scanning the filled-in scorecard with a scanner housed within the bill acceptor assembly;   analyzing scanned information within the scorecard through the use of a processing unit contained within the bill acceptor assembly;   transmitting analyzed information provided from the scorecard to a league operator that is remotely located from the billiards table;   storing the analyzed information in a database at the league operator;   using the analyzed information stored in the database to determine player and/or team statistics;   transmitting the game results and statistics from the league operator to the bill acceptor assembly; and   displaying the game results and statistics on a monitor proximate the parlor game.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said filling in the scorecard comprises darkening defined areas on the scorecard. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said filling in the scorecard comprises writing on the scorecard.