Electronic game and method

Abstract

An electronic gaming system for playing a game by a player includes an electronic dart board, a playfield on the electronic dart board, a screen associated with the electronic dart board and a controller. The playfield includes a bonus target, a first target, a second target and a third target. The bonus target is smaller than the first target, the second target, and the third target and is positioned between the first target, the second target and the third target. The screen is configured to display a representation of the playfield to alert the player of the status of the game. The controller is in communication with the playfield to send a signal to the playfield regarding the size and location of the first target, the second target and the third target. The controller is also in communicating with the screen regarding the status of the game.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An electronic gaming system for playing a game by a player, the electronic gaming system comprising:
 an electronic gaming surface;   a playfield on the electronic gaming surface including a bonus target, a first target, a second target and a third target, the bonus target being smaller than the first target, the second target, and the third target and being positioned between the first target, the second target and the third target;   a screen associated with the electronic gaming surface, the screen configured to display a representation of the playfield to alert the player of the status of the game; and   a controller associated with the electronic gaming surface, the controller in communication with the playfield to send a signal to the playfield regarding the size and location of the first target, the second target and the third target, the controller also communicating with the screen regarding the status of the game.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to modify a first size of the first target based upon signals received from the screen regarding a skill level of the player. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 2 , wherein the player includes a first player and a second player, the controller configured to receive signals from the screen regarding a first skill level of the first player and a second skill level of the second player, the first size of the first target being different than a second size of the first target based on the first skill level and the second skill level. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 3 , wherein the signals received from the screen at the controller indicate the first skill level is greater than the second skill level, the first size being smaller than the second size. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 3 , wherein the system is configured such that the player includes a plurality of additional players. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 3 , wherein the system is configured such that the player includes a third player and a fourth player. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 3 , wherein the system is configured such that the first player is comprised of a first team and the second player is comprised of a second team. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the playfield further includes a fourth target, a fifth target and a sixth target, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth targets arranged in a generally triangular-shape, a first row including the first target, a second row including the second and third targets and a third row including the fourth, fifth and sixth targets. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 8 , wherein the playfield further includes a seventh target, an eighth target, a ninth target and a tenth target arranged with the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth targets in a generally triangular-shape, a fourth row including the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth targets. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the screen is comprised of a touchscreen. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic gaming surface is comprised of an electronic dartboard. 
     
     
         12 . An electronic gaming system for playing a game by a player, the electronic gaming system comprising:
 an electronic dartboard;   a playfield on the electronic dartboard including a first target, a second target, a third target, a fourth target, a fifth target and a sixth target, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth targets each being substantially circular and arranged in a triangular-shape with the first target positioned in a first row, the second and third targets positioned in a second row and the fourth, fifth and sixth targets positioned in a third row;   a screen associated with the electronic gaming surface, the screen configured to display a representation of the playfield, including representations of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth targets to alert the player of the status of the game; and   a controller associated with the electronic dartboard and being in communication with the playfield and the screen, the controller configured to send signals to the playfield regarding the size and location of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth targets, the controller also communicating with the screen regarding the status of the game.   
     
     
         13 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a first bonus target positioned between the first, second and third targets;   a second bonus target positioned between the second, fourth and fifth targets; and   a third bonus target positioned between the third, fifth and sixth targets.   
     
     
         14 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the first, second and third bonus targets are smaller than the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth targets. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a bullseye target positioned between the second, third and fifth targets.   
     
     
         16 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the first target is substantially circular. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 16 , wherein the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth targets are substantially circular. 
     
     
         18 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a projectile for throwing at the playfield.   
     
     
         19 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 18 , wherein the projectile is comprised of a plurality darts. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the first target includes an outer zone, a middle zone and a center zone, the center zone being smaller than the middle zone and the middle zone being smaller than the outer zone.