Object sensor for detecting characteristics such as color for games

A gate scorekeeping apparatus for use in automatically scoring a game, comprising:

• a net area which defines a scoring area for said game when one of a plurality of game balls is found within said net area;
• a sensor for sensing the presence of said balls in said net area and outputting a signal indicative thereof;
• timer means for selectively providing a time period defining the playing time of said game;
• scorekeeping means, including at least two outputs, for automatically monitoring said sensor output signals and said balls and recording scores thereof, said scorekeeping means having at least two modes of operation:
• a competitive mode during which said distinctive balls are uniquely identified as their presence is sensed in said net area, and scores thereby are respectively posted on said two outputs, which two outputs are uniquely associated with said balls, and
• a solitaire mode during which any score effected by any of said balls is cumulatively registered on one of said outputs while the other of said outputs indicates the time remaining in said time period provided by said timer means;
• switch means for selecting one of said competitive and solitaire modes;
• and
• reset means for restarting said timer means to begin one of said time periods, during which said scorekeeping means automatically records game ball scoring in accordance with the selection of said modes by said switch means.

An apparatus for automatically scoring a game played with a plurality of balls having substantially the same physical dimensions, but at least one distinctive trait each, comprising:

• sensing means for sensing whenever a ball is in scoring position;
• first indicator means for indicating scores as sensed by said sensing means;
• timer means for resettable timing a time period defining playing time for said game;
• reset means for resetting said timer means so as to initialize said timer means;
• second indicator means, responsive to said timer means, for displaying time remaining in said time period;
• controller means for selectively suspending operation of said first and second indicator means and establishing alternative functions therefor in a defined alternative operation mode of said apparatus;
• said apparatus further including identifying means for uniquely identifying said balls based on their distinctive traits whenever said alternative mode is selected, and respective scoring means for causing during said alternative mode said controller means to establish alternative function of said first and second indicator means such that said indicator means are automatically and respectively responsive to said identifying means so as to respectively record scores by at least two of said balls;
• said apparatus further including a selector means for placing said controller in said alternative mode defined as a competitive play mode, or holding said controller in its primary mode defined as a solitaire play mode, wherein during said solitaire play mode said apparatus cumulatively tallies scores by any of said balls on said first indicator means while displaying remaining time in a game on said second indicator means, while during said competitive play mode said apparatus respectively tallies on said first and second indicator means cumulative scores made by at least two of said balls.