WO2011107293A1

WO2011107293A1 - Petanque circle comprising a device for electrically detecting encroachment

Info

Publication number: WO2011107293A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/001095
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antoine Domenech
Original assignee: Antoine Domenech
Priority date: 2010-03-05
Filing date: 2011-03-05
Publication date: 2011-09-09
Also published as: FR2956984A1; FR2956984B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a petanque circle characterized in that said circle comprises a device for electrically detecting the encroachment of the circle by a player. More precisely, the circle comprises two circles, a lower circle (3) and an upper circle (2), respectively, each including an electrode (41, 42), the assembly of the two electrodes being connected to an associated detection and control device.

Description

Pétanque circle with an electrical detection device for encroachment

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the game of petanque and / or the game of Provence and more particularly a petanque ring offering new features.

State of the art

The petanque and the Provencal game are well-known bowling games, especially in France. In particular, petanque is derived from the game of Provence. These games are normally played on sand, gravel but also any other playing surface. Specifically, players in these games use generally metal balls, and a small wooden ball called jack. As is known, the goal is to throw the balls and approach as much as it can the piglet. The official rules of the F.F.P.J.P. (French Federation of Pétanque and

Provencal game) requires playing within a basic circle materialized with the obligation not to move or touch it.

A conventional base circle is made by means of a rigid circle of plastic, fifty centimeters in diameter, four centimeters in width and five millimeters in thickness. Other examples are described in particular in French patents FR2823129 and FR2577817 made of plastic, flexible or rigid rubber. The distance between the base circle and the jack is set at a value of 6 to 10 meters in the game of petanque, and can reach a distance of 15 to 20 meters in the game provencal.

In general, players have difficulty in complying with the rules, and they are commonly surprised to walk on the base circle, whether in front, on the side or at the back of the circle, imposing this is a constant vigilance on the part of the referee.

As far as the practice of Provencal play is concerned, the rule of the game is that the shooter must take three steps from the base circle while walking or running. It has been observed that a completely round circle has caused clashes with it, leading to the falling of players and causing injuries ... In addition, beyond and regardless of the physical safety of the players, it remains essential to to control the respect of the non-encroachment of the base circle by a player who would be a little too enthusiastic ...

Moreover, and independently of the security and control problems, one wishes to be able to profit from a user-friendly tool allowing to confirm the conformity with the regulation distance (6-10 meters or 15-20 meters as the case) of the piglet by compared to the pétanque circle.

Finally, and again independently of the problems mentioned above, it would be extremely desirable to facilitate the progress of the game and the control of its duration and the score obtained by the players The invention proposes a new petanque circle capable of providing solutions to one or the other, or even all the problems mentioned above.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to achieve a petanque circle likely to increase the security conditions for the player, whether it is Provencal game or game of petanque conventionel.

Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the control by the referees and / or other players of the non-encroachment of the petanque circle.

A third object of the present invention is to facilitate the measurement of the regulatory distance of the jack from the base circle.

Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a user-friendly and efficient tool for measuring the duration of the game and the score assigned to the different players.

These goals are achieved through the petanque ring according to the present invention, which comprises a device for electrical detection of the encroachment of the circle by a player.

In particular, the circle comprises at least two circles, respectively lower and upper and each comprising an electrode, the set of both electrodes being connected to an associated detection and control device.

In a specific embodiment, each circle comprises electrically conductive bands of circular shape, electronically connected to said electrodes. In a particular embodiment, the petanque circle comprises a first and a second intermediate ring of insulating and elastic material, which serves as a spacer between the two lower and upper circles to keep the two conductive strips out of contact when no pressure is exercised on the circle. Conversely, when pressure is exerted, the two electrodes are brought into contact with each other, allowing the triggering of a visual and / or audible alarm.

Alternatively, the upper and lower circles comprise a set of electrodes arranged opposite each other and an intermediate ring made of flexible material and comprising a set of wells serves as a spacer, each well serving to accommodate two electrodes facing each other. opposite, respectively upper and lower. The elasticity of the material makes it possible to make an electrical contact as soon as pressure is exerted on the upper circle.

In another embodiment, an electrically resistive intermediate ring is provided and the variation in electrical resistance between the two electrodes is measured, which allows the detection of an encroachment. Preferably, the petanque circle comprises a display system comprising LED diodes arranged in the form of a clock face on the upper face of the circle, the detection and control circuit ensuring the lighting of the LEDs during a encroachment. In addition, the LED display device can be used as a chronograph, to know the individual playing time of a player, but also to hold the score of the game through combinations of LEDs and / or colors. .. In a particular embodiment, which may be independent of other modes, the circle is a foldable circle.

In a particular embodiment, the petanque circle comprises a Bluetooth transmission system enabling communication with a device communicating mobile, and further comprising means for determining the strength of the reception signal and deriving an evaluation of the distance between the petanque circle and said mobile communication device. In another embodiment, which may be independent of the above, the circle comprises a detection and control device with RFID functionalities for detecting pins or RFID clips placed on the shoes of the players who are positioned in the perimeter of the Pétanque circle.

Description of the drawings

Other characteristics, purpose and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description and the drawings below, given solely by way of nonlimiting examples. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of a petanque circle comprising two upper and lower circles enclosing two intermediate rings, respectively inner and outer.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the first embodiment, showing the arrangement in situ of the two upper and lower circles and the two inner and outer rings. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a petanque circle having a single intermediate ring.

Figure 4 illustrates a section of the second embodiment. Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a third embodiment comprises a resistive intermediate ring combined with a detection and control circuit based on a wheatstone bridge. FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the petanque circle comprising a set of LEDs forming a time dial.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of counting playing time using, in one embodiment, an RFID type detection and identification.

Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of a foldable petanque circle.

Description of particular embodiments

We now describe how we can significantly increase, with a new type of petanque circle, the conditions of safety and amenity of the game of petanque and the respect of the regulations relating to this game.

In a particular embodiment, consider a base circle 1 of plastic material, the diameter of which varies from 35 to 50 cm, and preferably equal to 50 cm. It has a width of four centimeters and a thickness of about one centimeter.

The production material may be plastic for example, or any material for housing including the electrical and electronic circuits described below.

In addition, the circle includes a number of elements, including electronic circuits that will now be described to bring new features. I. Electronic detection of the encroachment of the circle

In a particular embodiment, in order to force the players to respect the rule set by the F.F.P.J.P. , but also to allow other players to get involved in the respect of the rule, the petanque circle is equipped with an electronic system of detection of the encroachment.

In general, the body of plastic material of the petanque circle is arranged to house a number of electronic circuits.

In a first embodiment, the circle is composed, as illustrated in FIG. 1, of an upper circle 2 and a lower circle 3 enclosing two intermediate rings of elastic and insulating material, 41 and outer 41 respectively. , disjointed so as to release a space between the outer circumference of the inner ring and the inner circumference of the outer ring.

The upper circle 2 further comprises, glued on its lower surface, a first electrically conductive strip 21 connected to a first electrode 22 itself connected to an electronic circuit (not shown in Figure 2).

In a similar manner, the lower circle 3 comprises a second electrically conductive strip 31 connected to a second electrode 32, which is also connected to an electronic circuit (not shown).

In a particular embodiment, the two strips 21 and 31 are circular, centered on the center of the petanque circle, and have a section of rectangular shape, as seen in Figure 2, and are inserted into the space delimited between the outer circumference of the inner ring and the inner circumference of the outer ring.

As seen in Figure 2 showing the arrangement in situation, the two rings 41 and 42 serve as spacers between the two lower circles and upper to keep out of contact the two strips 21 and 31 when no pressure is exerted on the circle.

On the other hand, as soon as the player placed inside the petanque circle impinges it inadvertently, the pressure exerted on the upper circle constrains and compresses the two rings 41 and 42, thus causing an electric contact between the two. conductive strips 21 and 31.

The two conductive strips 21 and 31 are respectively connected to two electrodes 22 and 32, which are themselves electrically connected to two inputs of an electronic detection and control circuit 50 enabling the detection of the encroachment of the assembly made by circles 2-3-4.

In a particular embodiment, the electronic circuit 50 is disposed in a box that can be fixed on the circle, which box may also include a suitable display. In a particularly miniaturized embodiment, which today allows the state of the art, the housing 50 and all the control electronics can be housed directly in the mass of the two circles 2 and 3 so as to improve the aesthetics of the product final. There will also be provided a housing for receiving an electronic battery for power supply of the electronic circuit.

3 shows a second embodiment in which the circle comprises, instead of the two intermediate rings 41 and 42, a single intermediate ring 40 with wells - for example a set of 8 wells.

Circles 2 and 3 now comprise instead of conductive circular strips, a set of electrodes, which are regularly spaced over their entire surface, respectively lower and upper.

For example, we see in Figure 3 that the upper circle 2 comprises eight electrodes 23 in the form of electrical pads, for example spherical head. Similarly, the lower ring 3 has a set of eight electrodes 33 in the form of electrical pads, for example spherical head, each of these eight electrodes intended to be arranged vis-à-vis with respect to the electrodes of the upper circle.

The two upper and lower circles enclose a single intermediate ring 40 made of flexible material. As seen in the section of Figure 4, each well of the ring 40 is intended to receive two electrodes vis-à-vis respectively emanating from the upper circle and the lower circle.

Thus, in this second embodiment, it is not necessary to provide two intermediate rings, but only one ring as shown in Figure 3. Figure 4 is a section showing the various components in place. It can be seen that the thickness of the intermediate ring is greater than the sum of the heights of the two electrodes 23 and 33 vis-à-vis, so as to keep these two electrodes out of electrical contact when no pressure is present. is exercised on the petanque circle.

On the contrary, as soon as a pressure is exerted on the upper circle 2, which occurs when a player inadvertently places his foot on the upper circle, the intermediate ring comes into compression, retracts and comes to cause an electrical contact between them. two electrodes 23 and 33, which contact is then echoed and detected by the detection and control circuit 50.

Clearly, the diagrams of Figures 1 to 4 are only particular examples for making a petanque circle with an electrical contact. Any other embodiment may be envisaged, and in particular an alternative embodiment substantially to the flexible intermediate ring a set of elastic elements, such as springs, blades etc.

In a third embodiment, the intermediate ring described above is substituted for a solid, resistive intermediate ring and flexible providing electrical resistance between the electrodes of the upper and lower circles.

In this way, a circle is also created, the resistivity of the inner ring of which becomes sensitive to the pressure exerted at any point on its surface, and this pressure is translated into a variation of electrical resistance that can be transmitted to the electronic device. detection and control, which will include for this purpose, for example, a resistance variation detection circuit based on a Wheatstone bridge well known to a person skilled in the art ...

FIG. 5a illustrates such an embodiment, with an upper circle 100, a lower circle 200 and a flexible and resistive intermediate circle 300. The upper circle 100 comprises an upper electrode 1 10, for example of circular shape, while the lower circle 200 comprises an electrode 210 of circular shape.

Due to the resistivity of the flexible intermediate circle, it is observed, as seen in FIG. 5b, that the "sight" resistance between the two electrodes 110 and 220 can be expressed in the form:

R = K 61 S

In which K is a proportionality factor depending in particular on the electrical resistivity of the material used, d is the distance between the two electrodes, and S corresponds to the surface area opposite the two electrodes 1 10 and 210.

As can be seen, once the upper circle is pressed, the pressure exerted constrains the intermediate circle 300, which tends to sag and, consequently, tends to reduce the value of d.

This then results in a variation of the electrical resistance "seen" between the two electrodes, and this resistance variation is detected by the detection and control circuit 400 of FIG. 5a. For this purpose, the circuit 400 comprises a wheastone bridge comprising a first resistor 410, a second resistor 420 and a third resistor 430. The resistors 420 and 430 are connected in series between two reference potentials, respectively Vcc and ground. The resistors 410 and the resistance of the intermediate layer 300 (seen between the two electrodes 110 and 210) are also connected in series between the two potentials Vcc and ground.

The resistor 430 is adjustable so that it can be adjusted so that the two mid-points of the branches 410-210-220 and 420-430 are at identical potentials. These two midpoints are connected to two respective inputs of an amplifier and detection circuit 450, which comprises a certain number of electrical circuits for detecting any potential variation between the two middle points of the Wheatstone bridge.

Finally, the detection and control circuit 400 comprises a control circuit 460 making it possible to control any warning circuit and in particular the devices which will be described below, in particular the visual or auditory alarms, etc.

In a fourth embodiment, the two electrically conductive layers may be used to make the two plates of a capacitor, which may be integrated by means of an appropriate electronic circuit in an oscillating circuit whose frequency depends closely on the capacitance formed by the capacitors. bands 210 and 310. By arranging within the detection circuit a second reference oscillator, it is possible at this time to detect any variation of the oscillation frequency of the first oscillator and, thus, to detect a pressure exerted on the oscillator. intermediate layer 4. In a fifth embodiment, one can use a shock sensor, for example flyweights or even more effectively, using piezoelectric sensors associated with appropriate electronic circuits. Finally, in another embodiment, it will even be possible to combine the devices with each other and to produce a combined shock and resistance variation detector to ensure greater efficiency in the detection. Clearly, they are only non-limiting examples to illustrate how to obtain an electronic detection of the encroachment of the circle.

II. Electronic alarm

In a particular embodiment, the electronic circuit 50 of FIG. 1 or more specifically the detection and control circuit 400 of FIG. 5a comprises an alarm circuit 460 making it possible to attract the player's attention, but also other players present, from the breach of the rule of play.

For this purpose, preferably, the petanque circle comprises an electric circuit of the "buzzer" type, for generating a continuous or alternating sound signal, with increasing or decreasing volume, or capable of producing pre-recorded audio sounds.

Alternatively, the petanque circle further comprises a visual alarm system based on a set of light emitting diodes (or Light Emitting Diods - LED) ensuring a continuous or intermittent flashing when filling the circle.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the upper surface of the upper circle comprises a set of twelve LED diodes arranged in the manner of a time dial. In a particular embodiment, in case of encompment of the petanque circle, the control and control circuit 50 causes a burst ignition of all LEDs so as to immediately attract the attention of the player, but also of all the participants in the game, regardless of their physical position in relation to the petanque circle, the encroachment of the circle. Alternatively, in another embodiment, it will be possible to envisage a sequential illumination of the LEDs so as to achieve all kinds of pleasant or spectacular light effects, combined possibly with various sound effects.

It will be noted, however, that the previously mentioned characteristic can be used independently of the elements described in relation to the elements previously described.

IN. Control of playing times

In a particular embodiment, the detection and control circuit further comprises a timer or timer circuit for controlling the duration of a game, and in particular the individual playing time of the player placed inside the circle. .

Advantageously, the control circuit will control the lighting of the LEDs arranged in the form of a time dial so as now an analog display of the time elapsed since the start of the game.

In a particular embodiment, it can be provided that the start of the timer will be triggered by means of a double encroachment of the petanque circle, which double encroachment will be automatically detected by the detection and control circuit which will trigger the departure of the stopwatch.

Alternatively, a simple pressure performed on the circle or laying it on the ground, will trigger the automatic timing of play time. In one embodiment, we can predict that every five seconds, a LED illuminates until the 12th, and a 2nd LED of different colors illuminates to indicate the end or the beginning for the end of the authorized minute to play the ball in the game of petanque, and a minute 30 to play the ball in the game Provencal. In one embodiment, the display of the elapsed time as well as that of the chronometer-related functions, in particular, may be performed by means of wireless communication means which will be described hereinafter. The automatic triggering can be done from the RF transmitter of the referee to stop and start the stopwatch allowing the regulation of the game at the time level and mistakes made.

In a particular embodiment, the petanque circle is designed to interact with a set of communicating clips, positioned on the shoes of the players so as to ensure an automatic countdown of playing time for the different teams.

In this embodiment, the petanque circle comprises a control device with Radio Frequency Identification Detection (RFID) type detection functionality, enabling the detection and identification of mobile RFID elements arranged near the circle.

In a particular embodiment, the RFID mobile elements take the form of clips or pins that are hooked to the shoes of the players and which will be detected by the control device when they will take place in the petanque circle.

Thus, by means of a suitable data processing carried out by the processor that includes the control device, it is possible to automatically detect and recognize the players and the teams that compete in the petanque game.

In a particular embodiment, the microprogram stored in the memory associated with the processor contained in the petanque circle puts in a particularly innovative method for ensuring the automatic counting of the playing time of the different players belonging to the different teams.

The method is described more particularly in relation to FIG. 7. In a step 1100, the method begins with a general initialization of the processor and the various electronic circuits that make up the petanque circle. In particular, the initialization amounts to zeroing the registers ensuring the storage of the playing time of the different teams or players.

In a step 1200, the method continues with a step of detecting a pin or pin - comprising for example a RIFD identification circuit - in the perimeter of the petanque circle.

Then, in a step 1300, the method continues with a step of identifying the class N of the detected clamp, that is to say by the determination of the team corresponding to the player who has come to position himself inside the Pétanque circle.

Then, in a step 1400, the method starts a counter - or starts updating a counter associated with the team in question.

Then, in a step 1500, the method performs a test to determine whether the elapsed game time reaches a predefined value corresponding to the maximum time allocated to each team / player.

If the preset time has elapsed, the controller activates an audible / visual alarm in a step 1600 to alert the undemanding player.

If the predefined time has not yet elapsed, the method continues with a step 1700 for detecting a distance from the RFID clamp.

In this way, the petanque circle can determine when a player has just played and left the game of petanque.

The method then continues with a step 1800 in which it stops the counter so as to freeze the value of the game time allocated to the team / player. The method then returns to step 1200 to detect a new RIFD clip corresponding to a new player attempting a shot.

As can be seen, the electronic circuits that comprise the petanque circle according to the present invention allow the addition of new features particularly timely to make the game of petanque more interesting and more alive.

It should be noted, however, that the previously mentioned feature may be used independently of the elements described in connection with Chapters 1-11.

III. Measuring the distance required

In a particular embodiment, the petanque circle further comprises a device for measuring the distance of the piglet. For this purpose, in a simplest embodiment, the petanque circle comprises, disposed on the upper surface of the circle, a device of unwinding type, for unrolling a wire or a graduated tape for measuring a distance up to at 20 meters. In one embodiment, the measurement between the base circle 1 and the jack can also be done using a mechanical box 13 containing a coil, an automatic winder and a nylon or synthetic thread of twenty or so. meters. This wire having a mark (knot) at 6 m and 10 m to measure the distance in the case of petanque game and a mark at 15 m and 20 m for the distance measurement in the case of the Provencal game. The players will be able to derive this thread to note the validity of the jet of its goal and this thread flows automatically in the mechanical box 13. In a particular embodiment, the detection and control device further comprises an electronic circuit for counting the revolutions of the unwinders in order to calculate, in a precise manner, the length of the unwound wire.

But in a simpler embodiment, the petanque circle may include a conventional unwinder device, of the type found in metric unwinders. In a particular embodiment the evaluation of the distance between the petanque circle and the jack is performed electronically.

For this purpose, the control device located in the petanque circle comprises a Bluetooth wireless transmission subsystem compliant with Bluetooth wireless communication protocols and allowing the connection of the petanque circle with various bluetooth systems, such as, so non-limiting, laptops, portable PDA (Portable Document Assistant), Bluetooth enabled cell phones or even simple bluetooth accessories such as a Bluetooth wireless headset.

For this purpose, the control device of the petanque circle comprises an electronic data processing circuit associated with a communicating circuit according to a communication protocol, for example of the Bluetooth type.

The data processing circuit comprises a processor having suitable input / output interfaces as well as a suitable memory, dividing between random access memory - called RAM or Read Access Memory for the temporary storage of data processed by the processor - and read-only memory such as PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), EPROM (Electrically Programmable Read Only Memory) etc .... which is suitably loaded with adequate firmware for data processing as well as support for wireless communication features BLUETOOTH In particular, the memory contained in the petanque circle includes a microprogram for controlling the interfaces between the microprocessor and a communicating circuit, comprising a BLUETOOTH controller, and in particular the control of messages and events well known to a Bluetooth system designer.

In general, the events and messages implemented in the BLUETOOTH protocol are well known in the state of the art and do not require, for the sake of brevity, additional developments. It will be recalled that, in particular, the Bluetooth protocol implements a Link Manager (LM) layer functionality enabling the establishment, management and termination of the connection link between the two communicating devices, namely the communication circle. petanque with the mobile device communicating. In one embodiment, the communicating device is loaded with an application program allowing communication with the petanque circle, and the evaluation of the strength of the signal received from the petanque circle.

In particular, the application program that is executed in the device communicating with the petanque circle uses a particular information received from the petanque circle, namely information representative of the strength of the electromagnetic signal (RSSI or Received Signal Strenght Indication) to derive or approximately determining information representative of the distance between the mobile phone and the petanque circle to estimate an estimate of the distance between it and that petanque.

In this way, the player who is equipped with a mobile communicating device may, coming closer to the piglet, obtain an electronic evaluation of the distance between the pig and the petanque circle.

Note however that this is only a particular embodiment and that, in general, we can use the previously mentioned feature independently of the elements described in relation to chapters l-lll. V. Electronic score display

In a particular embodiment, the device for detecting and controlling the petanque circle further comprises a display system, attached directly to the upper circle, to display the score of the game and keep it present throughout the game.

In another embodiment, a diode flashes (one color per team) permanently on the base circle 1 to allow players, referees, the public to know the score of the game.

By simultaneously pressing a contact (not shown in the figure), players will display their score. The games are played from 0 to 11 or 13 points. The memorization of the scores of each team by the calculator will avoid all disputes the analysis of the results for each game will be possible and available after downloading the data on computer.

A score display system allows the player to permanently know the score of the opponent.

It should be noted, however, that the feature mentioned above may be used independently of the elements described in relation to Chapters I-IV. In this case, the petanque circle will take its simplest form which will be a circle with a unique game score display system. VI. Foldable circle

In a particular embodiment, for the so-called Provencal game, the petanque ring is designed to be foldable so as to be presented, once folded, in the form of two half-circles superimposed.

In this way, we can prevent falls of players when they must take three steps from the base circle 1, walking or running, in accordance with the special rules of the game Provencal. In this embodiment, provision is made to arrange the electrodes and the electronic circuits for the implementation of the detection and control device so as to allow the hinge arrangement and ensure the folding of the petanque circle in two.

In addition, in the embodiment comprising LED diodes, it may be advantageous to provide LED diodes on the lower and upper faces of the petanque circle, so that, once folded, the LEDs of the lower face appear on the above.

In one embodiment, the control device controls a sequencing of the lighting of the LEDs so as to achieve, in 60 seconds, a go-back, from left to right then from right to left, of the sequence of LEDs that are lit. The turn of the hour dial is thus advantageously replaced by a round trip of the semicircle corresponding to a flow of 60 seconds. In this way, we realize a petanque circle, with a visual alarm with LEDs, which allows the player to take two steps back before playing safely, as is customary for the game Provencal petanque. It will be noted, however, that the feature mentioned above may be used independently of the elements described in connection with Chapters I-V.

Claims

1. A petanque circle characterized in that it comprises a device for electrical detection of the encroachment of the circle by a player.

2. The petanque ring according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises at least two circles, respectively lower and upper and each comprising an electrode, each circle comprising a circular electrically conductive strip electrically connected to one of the electrodes,

all of the two electrodes being connected to an associated detection and control device.

3. The petanque ring according to claim 2 characterized in that it further comprises a first and a second intermediate ring of insulating and elastic material, serving as a spacer between the two lower and upper circles to keep out of contact the two conductive strips when no pressure is exerted on the circle and, conversely, to put the two electrodes in contact with each other during an encroachment.

4. The petanque ring according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises:

at least two circles, respectively lower and upper and each comprising a set of electrodes on the upper and lower face;

- An intermediate ring made of flexible material and having a set of wells, each well being intended to receive two electrodes vis-à-vis respectively emanating from the upper circle and the lower circle;

the electrical contact between two electrodes within the same well is achieved by compression of the intermediate crown.

5. The petanque ring according to claim 2 characterized in that it comprises an intermediate ring made of elastic material and resistive on an electrical plane, and a detection of the variation of the resistance of said ring in response to pressure exercised on the circle.

6. The petanque ring according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a sound or visual alert device comprising LED type diodes.

7. The petanque ring according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a display system comprising LED diodes arranged in the form of a time dial on the upper face of the petanque circle, said LEDs lighting during an encroachment of the petanque circle.

8. Pétanque circle according to claim 7 characterized in that it comprises a detection and control device comprising a chronograph circuit controlling the display of LEDs forming the time dial.

9. The petanque ring according to claim 8 characterized in that it comprises an electronic scoring accounting circuit using said LEDs.

10. Pétanque circle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a wire unwinder for measuring the regulatory distances.

11. The petanque ring according to any preceding claim characterized in that it consists of two semicircles foldable for the game of Provencal petanque.

12. The petanque ring according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a Bluetooth transmission system for communication with a mobile communicating device, and further comprising means for determining the strength of the reception signal and to derive therefrom an evaluation of the distance between the petanque circle and said mobile communication device.

13. The petanque ring according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a detection and control device with RFID functionality for the detection of pins or clips RFID arranged on the shoes of the players coming to be positioned in the perimeter of the Pétanque circle.