Automatic scorer

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thumb|Automatic scorer projectingonto a large overhead screen

An automatic scorer is the computerized scoring system introduced into bowling alleys in the 1970's. The use of automatic scorers took away the task of keeping score by hand. This also introduced new bowlers to the game that otherwise would not participate. Most modern systems not only tally the score of a game, but also kept track of handicaps and the scores of league players. Brunswick Corporation and the AMF Company are leaders in the research and development of computer systems for bowling alleys for score keeping and other related business (i.e. finance bookkeeping, payrolls, account receivables, account payables).

A bowling pin for use with an automatic scorer includes a wood core and an ionomer cladding having an outer surface which surrounds the standing portion of the pin. The pin includes a first fluorescent coating on the outer surface in a preselected area, preferably in the neck portion of the pin. This first fluorescent coating emits a relatively high level of visible light when subjected to ultraviolet light. A second fluorescent coating, which is colorless under ambient light, covers the standing portion of the pin, including the first fluorescent coating and emits a relatively low level of visible light. The second coating allows the relatively high-intensity visible light which is emitted from the first fluorescent coating to pass through for detection by an automatic scorer.

Many bowlers didn't trust automatic scorers when they were introduced in 1972. Many continued to keep score using the traditional method on paper score sheets to verify the accuracy of the automatic scorers, however, automatic scorers are now widely accepted.

References

* [http://www.bowlingmuseum.com International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame]
*UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION - Form 10-K [http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/EFX_dll/EDGARpro.dll?FetchFilingHTML1?SessionID=itJ3jgomAhkwRlV&ID=4244401 Intellectual Property] Brunswick Annual Report
* [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7030736.html bowing pin detection system]
* [http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/4726587-description.html Optical bowling pin sensor]