GB2382442A

GB2382442A - Keeping track of scores or numbers by remote control

Info

Publication number: GB2382442A
Application number: GB0200189A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Charles Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-11-26
Filing date: 2002-01-04
Publication date: 2003-05-28
Also published as: GB0128340D0; GB0200189D0

Abstract

An electronic device including a scoreboard, which contains a screen 1 on which scores and other relevant information is displayed and a processor, and one or more control units, Fig. 2, which transmit information to the processor by wired or wireless means, where the information is stored and converted into scores or other information for using an equation. Alternatively, information can be transmitted to the processor using voice activation technology. The scores can also be broadcast by audio signal. The scoreboard or processor can include a time-keeping device, for use in sports with set time periods to tell players that the time period has ended. The device could also be used in field research that requires counting or logging of information by persons in circumstances where it is inconvenient to enter information directly into a computer.

Description

PERSONAL SCOREKEEPER The invention is an electronic device, which allows people to keep track of scores or numbers using control units, during sporting matches or other activities.

The invention is useful whenever people are engaged in an activity where it would be inconvenient to enter scores or numbers directly into a computer or other counting device because it would interrupt the activity being undertaken, such as the flow of play in a sporting match. Applications outside sport include any form of field research that requires counting or logging of information by persons in circumstances where it is inconvenient to enter information directly into a computer or other counting device or where it is useful to have more than one person entering information at the same time.

The invention allows an individual to press a button on a control unit, which sends information to a processor in a scoreboard, where the information is stored, turned into a score by use of an equation and transmitted visually and/or by sound.

Accordingly, this invention provides one or more control units and a scoreboard, which contains a processor that receives information from the control units, stores it and uses an equation to convert it into scores, and a screen on which the scores are displayed along with any other relevant information.

The scoreboard can be portable, waterproof and can have an illuminated screen so that it can be used in poor light conditions or at night. It could be briefcase-sized and could be made of plastic or other appropriate material. The scoreboard can have flaps at the back so that it can be stood upright on the ground or other surface. Alternatively the scoreboard can be attached to a fence or wall by straps, clips or suction pads. The control units could be made of plastic or other appropriate material with one or more buttons. They fit in a pocket, clip onto a person's clothing such as onto trousers at a person's waist or onto a racket or other sporting device. The control units can be remote control units sending information to the processor by infrared, microwave, radio wave or other signal, or they can transmit information by wire, depending on the specific application. Alternatively, information can be transmitted to the processor using voice activation technology. The scoreboard or processor can include a timekeeping device, which could be used in sports with set time periods to tell players that the time period has ended.

One embodiment of the invention, its application in tennis, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 shows the scoreboard; FIGURE 2 shows one remote control unit.

As shown in Figure 1, the scoreboard includes a screen 1, which is divided into two halves. At the top of the screen on each side is a display of the name of each tennis player. Below this is a display of that player's score in the current game with the tally of previous games below. At the bottom of the scoreboard, below the screen are a series of buttons 2 that allow the players to input their surnames, tell the processor

who is serving first, input the required length of rest periods, input the required number of sets and correct scores input in error. The scoreboard has straps 3 so that it can be hung from wire fencing and flaps 4 so that it can be stood upright.

Both players have a remote control unit as shown in Figure 2, which is about the same size as a remote car locking device and fits in the pocket or clips 5 on the waist or can be strapped to the end of a tennis racket. In doubles matches only one unit is required per couple. When a player wins a point they press the single button 6 on their remote control unit. This sends a signal to the processor, which stores the information and uses an equation to convert it into a score, which updates the score recorded on the screen.

The scoreboard also has an audio facility, that can be switched on or off, that uses a voice simulator to announce the score after every point is recorded and tells the players when it is set point and match point. The audio function is programmed to recognise a large number of surnames for scores such as'advantage Thomas'. The audio system can announce scores in one or more languages.

The audio system also reminds the players who is serving next and when players should change ends, with commands like'game Barker, Barker leads by 3 games to 1 and by 2 sets to 1, Thomas to serve, change ends'. With the use of a time-keeping device within the scoreboard or processor, audio directions can be given at set times so that breaks last for a set period. For example, after the end of a game that precedes a change of end, if the buttons on the remote control units are not pressed after say 5 minutes, an audio prompt such as'match to resume, Thomas to serve'would be transmitted. The audio facility would also allow other sounds to be broadcast, such as cheering or music.

Claims

1. An electronic device including one or more control units and a scoreboard, which contains a processor that receives information from the control units, stores it and uses an equation to convert it into scores, and a screen on which the scores are displayed along with any other relevant information.

2. An electronic device which contains a processor that receives information using voice activation technology, stores it and uses an equation to convert it into scores, and a screen on which the scores are displayed along with any other relevant information.

3. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the control device is a remote control device.

4. An electronic device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the control device is attached to the scoreboard by wire.

5. An electronic device as claimed in any preceding claim in which scores and other relevant information is broadcast by audio signal.

6. An electronic device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the scoreboard, which comprises the processor and screen, is portable.

7. An electronic device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the scoreboard or processor contains a time-keeping device.

8. An electronic device as claimed in any preceding claim which is waterproof.

9. An electronic device as claimed in any preceding claim which is illuminated for use in poor light conditions.

10. An electronic device as claimed in any preceding claim which stores and displays scores in one or more sporting matches.

11. An electronic device as claimed in any preceding claim which stores and displays scores in tennis matches.

12. An electronic device as claimed in Claims 1 to 10 which stores and displays scores in squash matches.

13. An electronic device as claimed in Claims 1 to 10 which stores and displays scores in basketball matches.

14. An electronic device as claimed in Claims 1 to 9 which stores and displays information collected in field research.