Pong scores

Abstract

An automatic scoring device for a table game, such as ping pong/table tennis. The device is configured to detect individual parameters that combine to comprise a physical event. Sensor(s) and a processor are configured to perform analysis of the parameters that occur during game play, such as the ping pong ball being stuck by a racket. Calculating the timing of and between these detected parameters and performing analysis against stored profiles enables the identification, tracking, and discrimination between events affecting the games score, and other similarly occurring events in which the score is not affected.

1 . A device configured to score a game of ping pong, comprising:
 a housing configured to be disposed proximate a ping pong table;   a plurality of sensors coupled to the housing and each said sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of play during a game of ping pong, each said sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the detected parameter;   a processor responsively coupled to the sensors and configured to process the received signals to determine characteristics of the detected parameters; and   a scoring module configured to score the game of ping pong as a function of the detected parameter characteristics.   
   
   
       2 . The device as specified in  claim 1 , wherein one said detected parameter is a bounce of a ping pong ball on the table. 
   
   
       3 . The device as specified in  claim 1  wherein one said detected parameter is a strike of a ping pong ball by a paddle. 
   
   
       4 . The device as specified in  claim 1  wherein one said detected parameter is a ping pong ball touching a net. 
   
   
       5 . The device as specified in  claim 1  wherein one said detected parameter is a ping pong ball touching a surface other than a paddle, a table, or a net. 
   
   
       6 . The device as specified in  claim 1  wherein the processor further comprises a timing clock providing timing signals, wherein the processor is configured to process the received signals in association with the timing signals to determine a type of the detected parameter. 
   
   
       7 . The device as specified in  claim 6  wherein the processor is configured to process the plurality of received signals and determine a singular parameter of ping pong play as a function of the plurality of received signals. 
   
   
       8 . The device as specified in  claim 7  wherein the processor is configured to determine which player is associated with the detected parameter. 
   
   
       9 . The device as specified in  claim 8  wherein the scoring module is configured to adjust a score of a game as a function of which player is associated with the detected parameter. 
   
   
       10 . The device as specified in  claim 9  wherein at least one of the sensors comprises a microphone. 
   
   
       11 . The device as specified in  claim 9  wherein at least one of the sensors comprises an acoustic sensor. 
   
   
       12 . The device as specified in  claim 1  further comprising stored profile data, wherein the processor is further configured to compare the received signals to the stored profile data to determine the parameter characteristics. 
   
   
       13 . The device as specified in  claim 12  wherein the profile data is indicative of a ping pong ball striking a paddle. 
   
   
       14 . The device as specified in  claim 12  wherein the profile data is indicative of a ping pong ball striking a ping pong table. 
   
   
       15 . The device as specified in  claim 12  wherein the profile data is indicative of a ping pong ball striking a net of a ping pong table. 
   
   
       16 . The device as specified in  claim 12  wherein the processor is configured to determine a relative location of the detected parameter in relation to the housing. 
   
   
       17 . The device as specified in  claim 16  wherein the processor is configured to determine which player is associated with the detected parameter, wherein the scoring module is configured to adjust a score of play is association with a player.