GB2447265A

GB2447265A - A signalling system to assist hard-of-hearing sports people

Info

Publication number: GB2447265A
Application number: GB0704211A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chris Skelton; Rowland Steven Clark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-05
Filing date: 2007-03-05
Publication date: 2008-09-10
Also published as: GB0704211D0

Abstract

A system for assistance of hard-of-hearing sports people comprising one or more transmitters wherein one or more of the transmitters are integrated with a conventional audible signaling device such as a whistle and can signal by wireless on command, and one or more receivers which can be worn by players and can respond to transmissions from the transmitters by signaling to the players in a way they are able to perceive. The system can ensure full coverage of the playing area either by means of sufficient transmit power being available from the transmitter, by means of the use of repeaters around the ground, or as a mesh network where each receiver is able to retransmit any signals it receives for reception by other receivers. In addition the system can support team communication by means of separate transmitters available to coaches or managers, and potentially between the receivers themselves.

Description

A signaling system to assist hard-of-nearing sportspeople Page 1

Description

This invention relates to a system for the assistance of hard-of-hearing sportspeople.

Traditionally many sports use audible signals to provide communication between a referee or timekeeper and a sportsman. These can include the universal whistle for starts and stops during a football match, a gun for starting races of all sorts from foot to yacht, a buzzer used in fencing, a horn used in ice hockey, etc...

Unfortunately these are of little use to someone who can't hear them, and this fact alone unfairly restricts practical access to these pastimes for any members of our society unfortunate enough to be hard of hearing, and even those lucky enough to be able to play with the assistance of those around them are inevitably limited in terms of how far they can advance in the sport at a senior or international level.

The system proposed here overcomes these difficulties by providing a simple method of integrating the additional equipment required with the equipment already used by the referee, timekeeper or whoever.

Let us take football as an example.

In one possible embodiment the system would comprise one or more transmitters, carried by the referee and linesmen, and a receiver worn by any player that requires it.

Tansmitters * ** The transmitters would be designed into the whistle the referee already uses, and would be activated by the *** , air pressure already used to blow the whistle itself. This could even have the ability to measure the air pressure or flow rate and, on the basis of different pressure levels used to produce different notes or volumes of sound, * tould transmit different signals able to convey different information. The transmission would need to be by radio or infra-red light * .* I. *_ *... iransmussion range In a team sport such as Football or Rugby there could be many players between the transmitter and the * receiver masking the signal, especially in Rugby. In order to overcome this several approaches could be taken; I High power transmitter. The transmitter would need to be of sufficient power to guarantee reception : *** everywhere around the grounds in use. This may be impossible to achieve in many frequency bands due to maximum power restrictions. In addition it may require so much power that the battery life would be * : .unacceptably short or the weight unacceptably high.

* 2 Very sensitive or selective receiver. This may be impractical in some frequency bands owing the to proximity of high power services in adjacent bands, such as TETRA (near 433.92MHz ISM band) or GSM (near 868MHz ISM band), both of which often have transmitters located on schools or stadia.

3 Repeaters could be used, possibly portable, fixed to the sports ground structure, or integrated into corner posts or goalposts, which can receive and retransmit the signals from the transmitter in order to achieve effective coverage of the entire playing area.

4 A mesh network approach could be used, where each receiver, in addition to receiving the transmission from the main transmitter, can also retransmit the signal for reception by other receivers.

Receivers The receivers could be designed to be worn on a wrist or elsewhere on the body of the sportsman, even built into sports equipment such as fencing helmets or American football armor.

The receiver would identify the incoming transmission from the transmitter and would signal to the wearer either by means of the sense of touch, by vibration or physical pressure; temperature, by means of a small heating element or Peltier device, an electrical voltage; or by a visible signal by means such as illuminating lights or a legible display, or potentially by more than one method simultaneously.

Multiple sjqals There are many reasons why a receiver would benefit from the ability to convey more information than a simple on/off signal.

I Game control A signaling system to assist hard-of-hearing sportspeople Page 2 To signal different messages to the sportsperson, such as On your marks... get set.... GO' different frequencies or amplitudes of vibration signal could be used, or the device could light up different colours, or display text or icons, or a combination of the methods could be used where for instance the vibration conveys the information that a whistle has been blown, so the wearer knows to look at the device where another means could provide the additional detail 2 Team communication In addition to the problems of game control, hard of hearing sportspeople miss out on the ability to communicate verbally within the team. This could be mitigated by allowing groups of receivers the ability to communicate with each other directly, most simply activated by means of a push button, or for a "captain" device to communicate to the team it is paired with only.

3 Coaching In addition, one or more specifically designed transmitters could be used by coaches or managers to communicate to their team. This would allow them the option to pass advice and encouragement as necessary, warn players of pending problems, give score or time-to-end information, etc...

Medical In addition to the game play aspects, the system could be used to continually monitor the health and stress levels of the players. This could have benefits in allowing people normally regarded as too disabled to play sport the option to participate, albeit in a potentially limited manner, regardless of the state of their hearing. In addition it could be used to provide very useful training data for either disabled or able bodied players.

Other sports All the conventional and unconventional team sports of course * *. Swimming, speed or synchronized.

* . tailing, Tennis, Motor sport, Polo * Sheep dog trials. (Deafness is not uncommon in dogs, and often curtails their competition career early) S...

Other applications : *rhere are many other places where the same equipment could be used.

Workplace.

: * Similar systems could provide replacement for audible alerts in; hazardous areas, vehicle maneuvering areas, * teamwork situations. Even things as mundane as start or end of tea-break could be dealt with in this way.

Home or public space.

ki order to communicate with a hard of hearing person by sign-language they first have to know you wish to do so, so they can look at you. It is impossible to attract their attention if you are out of their field of view.

Claims

A signaling system to assist hard-of-hearing sportspeople Page 3 Claims

System I A system comprising one or more transmitter units and one or more receiver units wherein the transmitters can signal to the receivers by means of wireless transmission and in which the transmitter is integrated with an audible signaling device conventionally used in sport.

Transmitters 2 A system as in Claim I wherein the transmitter is integrated with a whistle. (Football) 3 A system as in Claim 1 wherein the transmitter is integrated with a horn. (Ice Hockey) 4 A system as in Claim 1 wherein the transmitter is integrated with a bell or buzzer. (Fencing) A system as in Claim I wherein the transmitter is integrated with a starting gun. (Sprint) 6 A system as in Claim I wherein the transmitter is integrated with an electronic control system such as but not limited to starting lights. (Motor racing) 7 A system as in Claims 2 to 6 wherein the transmitter's output signal is controlled by means of an air pressure switch.

8 A system as in Claims 2 to 6 wherein the transmitters output signal is controlled by means of an air flow switch.

9 A system as in Claims 2 to 6 wherein the transmitter's output signal is controlled by means of a microphone.

* ** 10 A system as in Claims 2 to 6 wherein the transmitter's output signal is controlled by means of one *. * or more electrical pressure switches which can be pressed by the user.

11 A system as in Claims 2 to 6 wherein the transmitters output signal is controlled by means of one * or more electrical switches which can be attached to a mechanical device, such as but not limited to a trigger, as used to control the existing conventional signaling equipment * *. 12 A system as in Claims 2 to 6 wherein the transmitters output signal is controlled by means of one * .: : or more electrical signals as used to control the existing conventional signaling equipment. *.

* Multi-signal 13 A system as in any of the above claims wherein the transmitter is able to produce more than one type of output signal.

*:. 14 A system as in Claim 13 where the specific output signal required is controlled by means of an air pressure measuring device A system as in Claim 13 wherein where the specific output signal required is controlled by means of an air flow measuring device.

16 A system as in Claim 13 wherein where the specific output signal required is controlled by means of a microphone.

17 A system as in Claim 13 where the specific output signal required is controlled by means of one or more electrical pressure switches which can be pressed by the user as required.

18 A system as in Claim 13 where the specific output signal required is controlled by means of one or more or more electrical signals as used to control the existing conventional signaling equipment Receivers 19 A system as in Claim 1 in which the receiver units can be attached to or worn by those for whom the signal is intended.

A system as in Claim I in which the receiver units are fitted with a strap allowing them to be worn on wrist, arm, neck, body.

21 A system as in Claim I in which the receiver units are integrated into headgear such as but not limited to a hat or helmet.

22 A system as in Claim 1 in which the receiver units are designed to be held in the mouth.

A signaling system to assist hard-of-hearing sportspeople Page 4 23 A system as in any of the above claims wherein the receiver produces an output in response to the transmitter's signal able to be perceived and understood by the user.

24 A system as in any of the above claims wherein the receiver's output signal is in the form of vibration A system as in any of the above claims wherein the receiver's output signal is in the form of pressure.

26 A system as in any of the above claims wherein the receiver's output signal is in the form of low or high temperature.

27 A system as in any of the above claims wherein the receiver's output signal is in the form of an alternating or on/off modulated electrical voltage.

28 A system as in any of the above claims wherein the receiver's output signal is in the form of sound.

29 A system as in any of the above claims wherein the receiver's output signal is in the form of visible light.

A system as in any of the above claims wherein the receiver's output signal is in the form of legible text or symbols or icons.

31 A system as in any of the above claims wherein the receiver's output signal can be in two or more of the forms described in claims 24 to 30 simultaneously.

32 A system as in Claims 13 to 15 wherein the receiver can produce different output signals dependant on different input signals received from the transmitter.

33 A system as in Claim 32 wherein the different output signals are designated by different frequencies * , of vibration ***,* 34 A system as in Claim 32 wherein the different output signals are designated by different amplitudes of vibration * .*.* 35 A system as in Claim 32 wherein the different output signals are designated by pressure being applied to different areas.

* .. 36 A system as in Claim 32 wherein the different output signals are designated by different frequencies : s. of alternating or on/off modulated electrical voltage.

* 37 A system as in Claim 32 wherein the different output signals are designated by different frequencies * of sound.

38 A system as in Claim 32 wherein the different output signals are designated by different amplitudes : *. ofsound 39 A system as in Claim 32 wherein the different output signals are designated by different colours of light.

* 40 A system as in Claim 32 wherein the different output signals are designated by visible light which flashes on and off.

41 A system as in Claim 32 wherein the different output signals are designated by visible light which flashes on and off at different rates.

42 A system as in Claim 32 wherein the different output signals are designated by light that changes colour.

43 A system as in Claim 32 wherein the different output signals are in the form of different legible text messages 44 A system as in Claim 32 wherein the different output signals are in the form of different visible images or icons.

A system as in Claim 32 wherein the receiver's output signals can be in two or more of the forms described in Claims 33 to 44 simultaneously.

Mutual interference 46 A system as in any of the above claims wherein the receivers in a system can be designated to work with one or a group of transmitters, such that the system can operate independently of but in close proximity to other such systems without mutual interference.

A signaling system to assist hard-of-hearing sportspeople Page 5 Linesmen 47 A system as in any of the above claims in which the transmitter is also able to receive signals from other transmitters and signal the information to the user in any of the ways described in Claims 33 to 44 above as if it were a normal receiver.

Repeaters 48 A system as in any of the above claims in which one or more repeating devices can be used to receive and retransmit signals received from the transmitter. Mesh

49 A system as in any of the above claims in which the receivers are able also to act as transmitters and retransmit signals received from the transmitter.

Team communication A system as in any of the above claims in which one or more of the receivers are able also to act as transmitters and to transmit signals to the other receivers upon activation by the wearer by some means such as but not limited to an electrical pressure switch.

51 A system as in any of the above claims in which one or more additional transmitters can be used in addition to those used for control of the game without mutual interference.

52 A system as in any of the above claims in which some or all of the receivers can be arranged to respond to the signals received from only certain of the transmitters or receivers acting as transmitters.

53 A system as in Claim 52 in which the receivers can respond to signals received from different * ** transmitters by signaling differently to the user. * * * * **

*... General blanket 54 A system as in any of the above claims in which the wireless transmission method is radio A system as in any of the above claims in which the wireless transmission method is infra-red light.

* s' 56 A system as in any of the above claims in which the wireless transmission method is ultrasonic or infrasonic sound.

*:. 57 A system substantially as in any or all of the above claims * ** * * * *** * * 5**

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