U.S. patent application number 11/744737 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for method and system for remotely directing a fishing tournament.
Invention is credited to Richard M. Shafter.
Application Number | 20080140234 11/744737 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39499237 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080140234 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shafter; Richard M. |
June 12, 2008 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REMOTELY DIRECTING A FISHING TOURNAMENT
Abstract
A method for remotely directing a fishing tournament makes use
of a data network over which participants transmit submissions
indicating sizes of fish caught. The submissions may include
digital images of fish, and size may be determined from a scale
established using a reference object depicted in the image. The
data network may also be used to register participants and provide
them with tournament results. Participants may register for a
fishing period, or multiple fishing periods of the tournament, and
may be issued a code to be displayed in images of fish. Validation
of entries may include an examination of metadata in submitted
digital images.
Inventors: |
Shafter; Richard M.;
(Montreal, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BERESKIN AND PARR
40 KING STREET WEST, BOX 401
TORONTO
ON
M5H 3Y2
omitted
|
Family ID: |
39499237 |
Appl. No.: |
11/744737 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60873018 |
Dec 6, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/91 ;
382/325 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06T 7/60 20130101; A63F
13/213 20140902; G06T 2207/10004 20130101; G06F 16/5866 20190101;
G06F 16/24578 20190101; G06Q 10/10 20130101; G06F 16/5854 20190101;
G06F 17/40 20130101; G06T 7/62 20170101; A63F 13/818 20140902; A63F
13/35 20140902; G06F 16/951 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/91 ;
382/325 |
International
Class: |
G06F 19/00 20060101
G06F019/00; G06T 7/00 20060101 G06T007/00 |
Claims
1. A method for remotely directing a fishing tournament, the method
comprising: registering participants for the tournament; receiving
over the data network digital images of fish caught by tournament
participants, said images containing a reference object adjacent to
the fish to allow a determination of scale; and determining a size
of fish from said images by using the scale provided by the
reference object.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the size is determined in
one dimension.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the reference object
comprises a linear measurement device.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the size is measured in
two dimensions.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the reference object
comprises a human biometric indicium.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the biometric indicium is
based on the limbus of a human eye.
7. A method according to claim 1 further comprising registering
participants by receiving data transmitted over the data
network.
8. A method according to claim 1 further comprising providing to
the participants, at the end of the tournament, an indication of
one or more winning submissions by transmission over the data
network.
9. A method according to claim 1 wherein each participant is issued
a code which must be displayed in the digital images submitted by
that participant.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the code is issued to a
participant a fixed time prior to the commencement of a fishing
period or periods for which that participant is registered.
11. A method according to claim 9 wherein each participant is
issued a different code that uniquely identifies that
participant.
12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the data network
comprises the Internet.
13. A method for remotely directing a fishing tournament, the
method comprising: registering participants by receiving data
transmitted over a data network, the participants registering to
participate in one or more of a number of fishing periods within a
tournament period; receiving tournament participation submissions
over the data network, the submissions including indications of
sizes of fish caught by participants; validating participation
submissions as relating to fish caught during the fishing periods
for which the corresponding participants were registered;
determining, at an end of the tournament period, at least one
winning participant based on sizes of fish caught by participants;
and providing to the participants, at the end of the tournament, an
indication of one or more winning submissions by transmission over
the data network.
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein there are a plurality of
fishing periods within the tournament period.
15. A method according to claim 13 wherein the participation
submissions include digital files containing images of fish
caught.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the images each contain
a reference object adjacent to a fish to allow a determination of
scale for assessing the size of said fish.
17. A method according to claim 15 wherein metadata in the digital
files relative to various image parameters is used in determining
the authenticity of the images.
18. A method according to claim 17 where the absence of metadata
from a digital image file is used to invalidate a participation
submission.
19. A method according to claim 17 wherein an indication in the
metadata of a prohibited type of editing of the image is used to
invalidate a participation submission.
20. A method according to claim 13 wherein each participant is
issued a code which must be displayed in the digital images
submitted by that participant.
21. A method according to claim 20 wherein the code is issued to a
participant a fixed time prior to the commencement of a fishing
period or periods for which that participant is registered.
22. A method according to claim 20 wherein each participant is
issued a different code that uniquely identifies that
participant.
23. A method for remotely directing a fishing tournament, the
method comprising: registering participants for the tournament;
receiving tournament participation submissions including
indications of sizes of fish caught by participants; determining,
at an end of a tournament period, at least one winning participant
based on sizes of fish caught by participants; and providing to the
participants during the tournament period, by transmission over a
data network, an indication of one or more submissions that lead in
the tournament, said indication of leading submissions being
provided without disclosing the size of fish caught.
24. A method according to claim 23 wherein the indication of
leading submissions is updated repeatedly during the tournament
period.
25. A method of remotely recording a fishing catch via information
transmitted over a data network, the method comprising: receiving
over the data network a digital file containing an image of a fish
caught, the image depicting the fish and a reference object
adjacent to said fish; determining a scale in the image from the
reference object and establishing a size of the fish based on the
determined scale; and storing said established size together with
related data regarding the catch.
26. A method according to claim 25 wherein the size is determined
in one dimension.
27. A method according to claim 26 wherein the reference object
comprises a linear measurement device.
28. A method according to claim 25 wherein the size is measured in
two dimensions.
29. A method according to claim 25 wherein metadata in the image
file relative to various image parameters is used in determining
the authenticity of the images.
30. A method of remotely recording a fishing catch via information
transmitted over a data network, the method comprising: receiving
over the data network a digital file containing an image of a fish
caught; examining the digital image file to verify the presence of
metadata relative to various image parameters corresponding to the
image; and validating and storing information regarding the fishing
catch if the presence of the metadata is verified.
31. A method according to claim 30 wherein the image depicts a
reference object adjacent to the fish, and wherein the method
further comprises determining a scale in the image from the
reference object and establishing a size of the fish based on the
determined scale.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application takes priority from U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/873,018, filed Dec. 6, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a method and system for
remotely directing a fishing tournament using a data network such
as the Internet. More specifically, the present invention relates
to a method and system for registering contest participants,
receiving entries from participants, determining fish sizes from
digital images submitted by participants and reporting the contest
winners.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Fishing contests, typically referred to as "tournaments,"
allow anglers to compete against one other in trying to catch the
longest or heaviest fish, or collection of fish, over a given
period of time. Traditionally, such tournaments are held in a fixed
location, and the fish are killed in order to allow them to be
measured or weighed at the end of the contest. Recently, however,
there has been significant interest in "catch and release" fishing,
in which an angler returns a fish to the water alive after catching
it. To conduct a tournament in which the fish are not killed,
however, requires evidence of the size of the fish, such as a
photograph. In addition, it would be desirable to hold a tournament
in which participants may be remote from one another, and/or where
the organization and direction of the tournament is remote from the
participants.
[0004] U.S. Patent Application No. US 2003/0115265 ("Kitade")
discloses a system and method for holding a location-independent
fishing competition in which a sponsor of the competition
communicates with participants via the Internet to organize and
direct the contest. The participants register for a tournament held
during a specific time period by transmission of data over the
Internet. After the fishing period is over, they then submit
digital images of fish before a predetermined deadline to be
compared with those of other participants. To ensure that the image
was taken during the fishing period, an "article of certification"
must also be shown in the image. The article of certification is an
object of a specific type that is designated by the sponsor, and
the identity of which is provided to the participants at the outset
of the fishing period.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with some embodiments of the present
invention, a method and system are provided which allow the remote
direction of a fishing tournament. A data network, which typically
includes the Internet, is used for at least part of the
communication between a tournament director and tournament
participants. In conducting the tournament, the tournament director
remotely records each fishing catch via information transmitted
over the data network. In a particular embodiment, digital images
of fish are received over the data network from participants. The
images contain a reference object adjacent to the fish to allow a
determination of scale. By using the scale provided by the
reference object, a size of the fish may be determined, and the
established size may be stored together with related data regarding
the catch.
[0006] The size measurement of the fish may be in one dimension,
such as the length of the fish. In such a case, the reference
object may be a linear measurement device. Two-dimensional
measurements, or the use of other measurement criteria, are also
possible. In one embodiment, a human facial biometric, such as the
limbus of the human eye, is used as a reference object. Other means
of determining the size of the fish, without the use of a reference
object, are also possible.
[0007] The data network may also be used to collect data to
register tournament participants and to provide to participants, at
the end of the tournament, an indication of one or more winning
submissions. The participants may also be provided with a code, by
transmission over the data network or via other communication
means, that is to be displayed as part of submitted digital images.
The code is issued a fixed amount of time prior to the commencement
of a particular fishing period, and its use ensures that the images
were taken during the fishing period in question. In one variation,
each participant is issued a different code unique to that
participant.
[0008] In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, participants
are registered for the tournament by receiving data transmitted
over a data network. The tournament may have multiple fishing
periods within the tournament duration and, if so, each participant
may register for one or more of the fishing periods. During the
tournament, participation submissions are received over the data
network. The submissions include indications of size of fish caught
by participants, such as through the use of digital images of fish
and reference objects, as discussed above. The submissions are
validated as relating to fish caught during the corresponding
fishing period or periods for which the corresponding participants
were registered, and as being accurate indications of fish size.
Different means of validation may be used, including examining the
metadata in an image file submitted by a participant. The absence
of metadata, or an indication in the metadata of a prohibited type
of editing of the image may be used as a basis for rejecting a
submission. At the end of the tournament period, at least one
winning participant is determined based on the sizes of fish caught
by participants as indicated in the validated submissions. An
indication of one or more winning submissions is then provided to
the participants over the data network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0009] Embodiments of the invention will be described by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of computing devices implementing
a system for measuring a fish;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a network where computing
devices are connected to a system for measuring a fish through a
network;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting a method of measuring a
fish according to a non-limitative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 3A is a flow diagram depicting a method of measuring a
fish using a biometric feature of a human depicted in an image with
the fish;
[0014] FIG. 3B is a flow diagram depicting a validation process of
a submission using metadata in a digital image;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a digital image of a fish and
a reference object;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a digital image of a fish, a
reference object and a validation code;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of
the digital image of FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the digital image of FIG. 6 to
which is added a contrasting background;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a digital image of a fish, a
reference grid and a validation code;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a digital image of a
participant with a location indicator and a first validation tag;
and
[0021] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a digital image of a
participant with a location indicator and a second validation
tag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] An integral part of remotely directing a fishing tournament
is providing a means to determine the size of fish submitted by
participants. It is possible to rely on self-reporting on the part
of participants, or to provide some form of verification by a third
party. However, it is also possible to use digital images of fish
submitted by participants to establish and/or verify fish
sizes.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, users may directly access a system for
measuring a fish implemented on, for example, a personal computer
12 or a laptop computer 16, equipped with, for example, a digital
scanner 14 or a digital camera 18 with which to obtain a digital
image of a fish to be measured.
[0024] Alternatively, with reference to FIG. 2, users using remote
access software, such as, for example, a web browser installed on
the personal computer 12, the laptop computer 16 or a cell phone
19, may remotely access a system 20 for measuring a fish
implemented on a central system through, for example, a web site on
a server 22. The server 22 may also be connected to a database 24
for storing submitted digital images of fish along with measurement
results. Furthermore, in the context of a fishing tournament, the
server 22 may also implement tournament software. The personal
computer 12 and laptop computer 16 may connect to the server 22
using an Internet connection 32 such as, for example, Ethernet
(broadband, high-speed), wireless WiFi, cable Internet, satellite
connection, etc., and the cell phone 19 using a cellular or
satellite network 34.
[0025] The users may use various devices such as, for example, the
digital scanner 14, the digital camera 18 or the cell phone 19
comprising a digital camera to provide digital images of fishes to
the system for measuring a fish.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a flow diagram
depicting the method of measuring a fish according to a
non-limitative embodiment of the present invention. The method may
be executed either by the personal computer 12, the laptop computer
16 or the server 22 (shown in FIG. 2). The steps of the process are
indicated by blocks 102 to 114.
[0027] The process starts at step 102 where a digital image 40 of a
fish 42 and reference object 44, as shown in FIG. 4, is obtained
either directly or remotely from, for example, the digital scanner
14, the digital camera 18 or the cell phone 19. Advantageously, the
reference object 44 is of a predefined length. Some examples of
reference objects include a linear measurement device, such as a
ruler or tape measure, or another object of predetermined size from
which a scale may be determined in the image.
[0028] In step 104 the contour of the reference object 44 is
identified, either manually, by setting reference points at a first
end of the reference object 44 and a second reference point at a
second end of the reference object 44, or automatically by using,
for example, an image processing algorithm for identifying contours
of objects, for example using hue or texture variations.
Advantageously, the reference object 44 may be of a specific color
or texture not likely to be found in any fish so as to heighten
color or texture contrasts.
[0029] In step 106 the system 20 determines a relative length of
the reference object 44 by computing, for example, the number of
pixels along its longest axis generally parallel to sides of its
identified contour. Alternatively, the length may be determined by
a scale shown on the reference object, or by knowledge of a fixed
dimension of the object.
[0030] In step 108 the contour of the fish 42 is identified, either
manually, by setting reference points at a first end of the fish 42
and a second reference point at a second end of the fish 42, or
automatically by using, for example, an image processing algorithm
for identifying contours of object, for example using hue or
texture variations. Advantageously, the image processing algorithm
may be defined such as to recognize specific colors or textures
commonly found in fishes.
[0031] In step 110, the system 20 determines a relative length of
the fish 42 by computing, for example, the number of pixels along
its longest axis generally parallel to sides of its identified
contour. As discussed above, the length of the fish may also be
indicated by a visual comparison of the fish to the reference
object. For example, if the reference object is a ruler or tape
measure, the object may be positioned adjacent to the fish in the
image in such a way as to indicate the length of the fish as
measured by the scale of the ruler or tape measure.
[0032] If the relative lengths of the reference object 44 and the
fish 42 are used to determine the length of the fish, the system 20
computes the length of the fish using a rule of three based on a
predetermined length of the reference object 44 or by inputting the
length of the reference object 44. For example, if the length of
the reference object is 30 inches and has a relative length of 900
pixels and the fish 42 has a relative length of 600 pixels, then
the length of the fish may be computed as follows:
length of fish = ( 30 inches .times. 600 pixels ) / 900 pixels = 20
inches . ##EQU00001##
[0033] Finally, in step 114, the length of the fish 42 computed in
step 112 is provided by the system 20, for example by displaying
the length of the fish 42 and/or saving it to the database 24.
[0034] The present invention may also use other methods of
determining the size of fish from digital images submitted by the
participants. In one embodiment, participants are required to
submit digital images that include a picture of the fish along with
a picture of a human face. This allows biometrical features of the
human face to be used to determine the proper scale. For example, a
human eye, such as the eye of the participant, may be used as a
reference object. The limbus of the eye is the junction between the
cornea and sclera, and it has an average width in adults of 11.6 mm
that varies only minutely from one person to another. By using the
limbus as a reference object in the image, the length of the fish
may be ascertained, with less risk of falsification that might
accompany other types of reference objects. The measurement of a
human limbus in the image may also be used to determine when images
have been manipulated, as the scale determined from the width of
the limbus must agree within the limits of its possible range of
variation with the scale of other objects in the image. A possible
method of using the limbus as a reference object is depicted in the
flow diagram of FIG. 3A.
[0035] In step 202, a digital image is obtained which depicts both
a fish and a human eye, namely from the participant holding his or
her catch. In step 204, a relative diameter of the limbus of the
eye is determined from the image in terms of pixel space size. In
step 206, a relative length of the fish is determined from the
image in terms of pixel space dimensions. With these two
parameters, the actual width of the limbus (known to a very slight
variation from one person to another) is used to calculate the
actual length of the fish in step 208. In step 210, the length of
the fish is then provided to the tournament direction system.
[0036] More precise image analysis techniques may also be used for
determining a reference scale in an image, or for verifying the
authenticity of a submitted image. For example, the techniques
described by Micah K. Johnson and Hany Farid (Department of
Computer Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H.) in Metric
Measurements on a Plane from a Single Image may be used in this
capacity. Such techniques are known in the art and will not be
repeated in any great detail herein. However, those skilled in the
art will recognize, in light of the present disclosure, that such
techniques may be applied herein. Likewise, the present invention
anticipates the use of similar existing and future techniques for
size determination and image authentication.
[0037] Other means of image authentication may also be employed
herein. For example, the tournament participants may be required to
submit a raw, unedited digital image. As described above, analysis
techniques may be used to determine whether any alteration of the
image has taken place. In addition, one embodiment of the invention
relies on the presence of the metadata from the original captured
image as one basis for verifying authenticity. As is known in the
art, an original digital image file typically includes a set of
metadata relative to various image parameters. However, many image
editing applications either do not preserve this metadata, or
record editing changes. Some edits may be deemed acceptable because
they do not harm authenticity, while others can be disqualified.
Thus, absence of the metadata or the metadata itself from an image
file may be indicative of previous image editing. As such, in one
embodiment of the invention, the tournament director would
automatically reject any participant submission in which the
metadata was absent.
[0038] A number of techniques can be used for image tampering
determination, and thus for determining authenticity.
[0039] Most digital cameras employ a single sensor in conjunction
with a color filter array (CFA), and then interpolate the missing
color samples to obtain a three-channel color image. This
interpolation is typically a simple linear interpolation between
neighboring source pixels of the same color and introduces
repeatable spatial artifacts that are detectable in an uncompressed
image as well as in JPEG compressed images originating from the
camera using correlation with the CFA pattern that are likely to be
altered when tampering with an image. This technique estimates the
artifact introduced by CFA interpolation, and detects deviations
due to tampering.
[0040] When tampering with an image, the image must, at a minimum,
be loaded into photo-editing software, manipulated, and re-saved.
Since most images are stored in JPEG format (a majority of digital
cameras store images directly in JPEG format), it is likely that
both the original and tampered images are stored in this format. In
this scenario the tampered image is double JPEG compressed. As will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art, double JPEG compression
introduces specific artifacts not present in singly compressed
images, and these artifacts can be detected.
[0041] Most digital cameras export images in the JPEG file format.
This lossy compression scheme employs a quantization table that
controls the amount of compression achieved. Different cameras
typically employ different tables, and photo-editing software used
to manipulate images also alter an image's quantization table. The
quantization tables from several images, purportedly from the same
camera, can be compared for consistency. Any differences in these
tables can be used as evidence of tampering.
[0042] The above techniques may be sufficient alone to conclude
that tampering has taken place in a digital image, and likewise may
not be entirely conclusive regarding tampering, but instead
provided an index of a probability of tampering. Such techniques
can be used alone or in addition to metadata verification to
determine the authenticity of the image.
[0043] This verification process applies generally to a method for
remotely recording a fishing catch, and is depicted graphically in
the flow diagram of FIG. 3B. In step 302 of this diagram, a
submission is obtained from a tournament participant. This
submission includes a digital image of a fish and, in step 304, the
image file is examined for the presence of metadata. In step 306, a
decision is made as to whether the metadata is missing or contains
any reference to an editing step or steps that are not approved. If
not, the verification proceeds to step 310 for further processing
of the submission. If the metadata is not present or indicates
unapproved editing, the submission is rejected in step 308. The
present invention also anticipates the use of such image
verification and authentication techniques in the context of any
remote recording of fish catches, whether or not done within the
context of a tournament.
[0044] The method and system for measuring fish described herein
may be used in the context of a fishing tournament in order to
identify the winner of the tournament having caught the biggest
fish. Accordingly, for authentication purposes, each participant
advantageously receives a first validation code, such as an
alphanumeric sequence, via, for example, text message or email. The
first validation code is to appear in all digital images of fishes
and the main purpose of the first validation code is to serve as a
proof of timeframe, i.e. that the fish in the digital image was
caught after the first validation code was issued. It is to be
understood that other validation techniques may also be used.
[0045] FIG. 5 shows a digital image 50 of a fish 42 and reference
object 44 where the first validation code 46 may be seen in order
to validate the timeframe in which the digital image 50 was
taken.
[0046] In an alternative embodiment, shown in the digital image 60
of FIG. 6, the first validation code 46 may be inscribed on, or
otherwise applied to, the reference object 44 so as to also
authenticate the reference object 44 thereby helping to reduce the
risks of tampering. It is to be understood that instead of sending
the first validation code 46 via text message or email, the
reference object 44 may be previously inscribed with the first
validation code and provided to the participant at the beginning of
the tournament.
[0047] In another alternative embodiment, shown in the digital
image 70 of FIG. 7, a background 45, having a color or texture not
likely to be found in any fish or reference object, may be
positioned underneath the fish 42 or reference object 44 so as to
heighten color or texture contrasts of the fish and the reference
object in order to facilitate the identification of the contours of
the fish 42 and of the reference object 44 in steps 108 and 104,
respectively, of the flow diagram of FIG. 3. It is to be understood
that the first validation code may be inscribed, or otherwise
applied to, either, or both, of the reference object 44 and/or the
background 45. It is also to be understood that, similarly to the
embodiment of FIG. 6, instead of sending the first validation code
46 via text message or email, the reference object 44 and/or the
background 45 may be previously inscribed with the first validation
code and provided to the participant at the beginning of the
tournament.
[0048] In another alternative embodiment, shown in the digital
image 80 of FIG. 8, a background grid 47 providing reference lines
49 at predetermined distances, may be positioned underneath the
fish 42 or reference object in order to facilitate the
identification of the contours of the fish 42 and of the reference
object 44 in steps 108 and 104, respectively, of the flow diagram
of FIG. 3. Furthermore, the background grid 47 of FIG. 8 may also
have a color or texture not likely to be found in any fish or
reference object, so as to heighten color or texture contrasts of
the fish and the reference object in order to further facilitate
the identification of the contours of the fish 42 and of the
reference object 44 in steps 108 and 104, respectively, of the flow
diagram of FIG. 3. It is to be understood that the first validation
code may be inscribed, or otherwise applied to, either, or both, of
the reference object 44 and/or the background grid 47. It is also
to be understood that, similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 6,
instead of sending the first validation code 46 via text message or
email, the reference object 44 and/or the background grid 47 may be
previously inscribed with the first validation code and provided to
the participant at the beginning of the tournament.
[0049] In a further alternative embodiment, a second validation
code may be provided to the participant at the end of the
tournament so as to ensure that the participant remains at the
tournament location until the end of the tournament.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 9, this may be accomplished by taking a
first digital image 90 of the participant 1, with the first
validation code 46, in front of a landmark 2 identifying the
location of the participant 1. Then, with reference to FIG. 10, at
the end of the tournament the participant 1 is given a second
validation code 48 so that a second digital image 100 of the
participant 1, with the second validation code 48, may be taken in
front of the landmark 2 of the first digital image 90 so as to
prove that the participant 1 is still at the tournament
location.
[0051] In yet another alternative embodiment, different codes may
be issued to different participants for the same tournament. For
example, each participant may be given a different code, such that
each code serves to uniquely identify one participant as well as
verify the time period within which submitted images were taken.
Such unique codes may be particularly useful for a tournament
having multiple fishing periods. If, for example, a one-week
tournament included seven one-day fishing periods, a participant
could be allowed to register for some or all of the fishing periods
during the tournament. The issuance of a unique code to each
participant would provide a simple means to cross-reference a
submission with the fishing periods for which a participant
registered.
[0052] It may also be desirable to issue codes to participants
which are different only in identifying the fishing periods for
which the respective participants registered. Thus, different
participants who registered for the same fishing periods would have
the same code. This would allow the different codes to be issued at
the appropriate times relative to particular fishing periods to
ensure that participants are able to use the code only during the
periods for which they are registered. However, providing a unique
code to each participant would also allow each participant to be
identified by the code, and would allow a participant to register
for additional fishing periods during the tournament while keeping
the same code. The codes may also be indicative of time zones, if
the geographical area spanned by the tournament includes multiple
time zones. This would simplify the cross-referencing of a
participant submission with time deadline for uploading the
submission that is appropriate for the time zone of that
participant.
[0053] A digital image containing the fish caught and the code
provides evidence of the catch as being from a time period after
issuance of the code and before the digital image is uploaded to
the server. When a participant fishes for a number of consecutive
periods, it will be appreciated that upload to the server may be
done well after the first period, as long as it is within the time
limit allowed for the upload of images following the last period
that the participant has paid for.
[0054] As described herein, the present invention provides a method
and system for remotely directing a fishing tournament using a data
network, such as the Internet. At least one central server may be
used to store information regarding each tournament and to collect
and process registrations and submissions of participants. Each
participant in the tournament may communicate with the server via a
local computer, telephone, or other device capable of exchanging
data over the network. For example, the central server may present
information regarding the tournament via a web site on the Internet
that is accessible by the participants via a web browser. Through
this interface, the participants may register for particular
fishing periods, submit payment information, receive codes, submit
images and other information regarding fish catches, and retrieve
tournament results.
[0055] As discussed above, other means of communication may also be
used for various aspects of the invention. For example, codes may
be issued to participants via telephone (voice) or text message.
This would be particularly useful if a participant has traveled to
a location where access to the data network is limited or
impossible. In such a case, a participant may register and travel
in advance to the desired fishing location. At an appropriate time
relative to the fishing period or periods for which the participant
has registered, the code may then be retrieved. Voice or text
message communication may also be useful to provide information to
a participant in a remote location, or to allow the participant to
register for additional fishing periods without having to seek out
the nearest location with access to the data network.
[0056] A director of the tournament may also use a website to
promote the fishing tournaments, and to provide detailed data
regarding tournament results. Data regarding an ongoing tournament
may also be provided via the network, or via voice or text message.
For example, a website of the tournament director may display
rankings of participants for an ongoing tournament based on
submissions received. The rankings may be updated as additional
submissions are received and verified. In such a case, it may also
be desirable to show the rankings without reference to the size of
fish caught, so as to not influence the decisions of participants
regarding registering for additional fishing periods during the
tournament.
[0057] The tournament director may also provide data regarding past
tournaments and tournament participants. For example a website of
the tournament director may include sections showing the prior
success of various participants. Such information may be organized
and cross-referenced by particular tournaments and particular
participants, such that statistics for a given tournament or given
participant are available to the participants and possibly to the
public. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are many
different types of data that would be of interest to participants
and to the public, and organization and presentation of such data
is an anticipated part of the invention.
[0058] The present invention provides a great deal of flexibility
in how a tournament is conducted. As discussed above, participants
may fish in different geographical locations. The tournament
director may specify that the tournament is limited to a single
species of fish, or may designate multiple species. There may be a
single fee or multiple fees for the different species. As discussed
above, there may be multiple fishing periods within the tournament
period, and a participant may be allowed to register for one period
only, for multiple consecutive periods, or for multiple
non-consecutive periods. Fees for each participant may therefore
also be based on the number of fishing periods for which the
participant is registered. If a code is issued to a participant, it
will typically be provided shortly before the tournament starts.
However, registration for tournaments may be done well in advance
of the tournament period, with the codes being provided later.
Likewise, the tournament director may choose to allow registration
for a fishing period after that period has already begun. The
tournament director may also base fees on the time of registration
(such as by providing a discount for early registrants), and may
provide prizes for the winners that are based on the number of
entries (e.g., such that the prize values increase with the number
of participants).
[0059] Although the present invention has been described by way of
particular embodiments and examples thereof, it should be noted
that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that
modifications may be applied to the present particular embodiment
without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is
also to be understood that although the disclosed method is used to
measure a fish, the same method may be applied to determine the
length of other objects from a digital image as long a reference
object of determined length is included in the digital image.
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