U.S. patent application number 14/544154 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-09 for wearable device and method for indicating scoring and scoring athority.
This patent application is currently assigned to Morehouse USA Creative, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Morehouse USA Creative, LLC. Invention is credited to Marshal Dhillon, Timothy Morehouse.
Application Number | 20160158623 14/544154 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56093363 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160158623 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morehouse; Timothy ; et
al. |
June 9, 2016 |
Wearable device and method for indicating scoring and scoring
athority
Abstract
A wearable device and method includes a receiver, a transceiver,
a processor, an authority indicator, and a scoring indicator for
providing indication of authority and scoring from sporting
equipment or user information. The sport of fencing benefits in
particular from this device and method.
Inventors: |
Morehouse; Timothy; (New
York, NY) ; Dhillon; Marshal; (San Diego,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Morehouse USA Creative, LLC |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Morehouse USA Creative, LLC
|
Family ID: |
56093363 |
Appl. No.: |
14/544154 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/148R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/0625 20130101;
A63B 71/0686 20130101; A63B 2071/0655 20130101; A63B 2225/50
20130101; A63B 71/0669 20130101; A63B 2071/0663 20130101; A63B
71/0622 20130101; A63B 2209/10 20130101; A63B 69/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/06 20060101
A63B071/06; A63B 69/02 20060101 A63B069/02 |
Claims
1. A wearable device comprising: a receiver for receiving at least:
a first signal from at least one piece of sporting equipment
external to said wearable device, said first signal corresponding
to at least one physical event of said sporting equipment; a
transceiver capable of sending and receiving at least one second
signal corresponding to authorization information; a processor
capable of processing said first signal and said second signal
based on logic corresponding to a plurality of rules of play, and
capable of generating an authority signal and a scoring signal
based on said first signal, said second signal, and said program
logic; at least one authority indicator for indicating scoring
authorization based on said authority signal; at least one scoring
indicator for indicating scoring based on said scoring signal; and
wherein said receiver, transceiver, processor, at least one
authority indicator, and at least one scoring indicator are
disposed on or within an accessory capable of being worn on the
human body.
2. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein said authorization
information comprises information about at least one physical event
of said sporting equipment different from the physical event
corresponding to said first signal.
3. The wearable device of claim 2, wherein said authorization
information corresponds to motion, location, position, contact with
another piece of sporting equipment, location of contact with
another piece of sporting equipment, sound, current, resistance,
capacitance, angle, rotation, or contact location of said at least
one piece of sporting equipment.
4. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein said at least one
authority indicator can be activated, deactivated, or otherwise
modified based on the authorization information and the program
logic.
5. The wearable device of claim 4, wherein said processor only
generates a scoring signal when said at least one authority
indicator indicates scoring authorization.
6. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein said authorization
information comprises information about at least one physical event
of the wearer of said wearable device.
7. The wearable device of claim 6, wherein said authorization
information corresponds to at least one of the group selected from:
motion, location, body position, distance from an opponent,
distance from opponent's equipment, position within the area of
play, electrical signal, speed, acceleration, timing, direction,
equipment angle, or equipment contact .
8. The wearable device of claim 1, further comprising at least one
sensor for generating additional authorization information.
9. The wearable device of claim 8, wherein said processor is
capable of processing said second signal and said authorization
information from said sensor based on the program logic to generate
said authority signal.
10. The wearable device of claim 1, said receiver capable of
receiving a signal from a second wearable device.
11. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein said transponder is
capable of communication with a second wearable device.
12. The wearable device of claim 11, wherein said transponder is
capable of connecting wirelessly to said second wearable device,
and said processor generates at least one of said authority signal
and said scoring signal based at least in part on the second
signal, additional authorization information received from said
second wearable device, and the program logic.
13. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein said processor is
capable of processing said first and second signal according to
logic according to rules of play associated with said sporting
equipment.
14. The wearable device of claim 13, wherein said wearable device
further comprises a memory for storing logic corresponding to
multiple sets of rules of play according with different types of
sporting equipment or methods of play.
15. The wearable device of claim 14, wherein said processor
processes logic corresponding to a set of rules selected from said
multiple sets of rules in said memory upon detecting the type of
sporting equipment.
16. The wearable device of claim 15, wherein said processor detects
the type of sporting equipment from a signal from said sporting
equipment.
17. The wearable device of claim 14, wherein said processor
processes logic corresponding to set of rules selected from said
multiple sets of rules in said memory based on a selection input to
said wearable device.
18. The wearable device of claim 1, further comprising a receiver
capable of receiving data for programming said processor with said
logic.
19. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein said receiver is
capable of receiving a position signal from an area of play and
generating said authority signal based at least in part on said
position signal.
20. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein said receiver is
capable of receiving a signal from a referee device, and generating
said authority signal based at least in part on said signal from
referee device.
21. The wearable device of claim 20, wherein said signal from said
referee device further comprises a clock start signal and said
processor is capable of generating an authority signal and a
scoring signal when at least one of said first signal, said second
signal, said clock start signal and said program logic dictate;
22. A method of indicating scoring authorization and scoring on a
wearable device comprising the steps of: receiving at least a first
signal from at least one piece of sporting equipment external to
said wearable device, said first signal corresponding to at least
one physical event of said sporting equipment; receiving a second
signal corresponding to authorization information; processing said
first signal and said second signal based on program logic
corresponding to a plurality of rules of play, generating an
authority signal and a scoring signal when at least one of said
first signal, said second signal, and said program logic dictate;
indicating scoring authorization based on said authority scoring
signal; and indicating scoring based on said scoring signal.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising only generating a
scoring signal when said at least one authority indicator indicates
scoring authorization.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising only generating an
authority signal when at least one of said first signal, said
second signal, a referee signal, and said program logic dictate.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
[0001] Sports are generally played according to rules. Players rely
on sportsmanship to enforce rules and in competitive settings may
also rely on a referee. Most sports require equipment to enable
practice or play. Presently, most sporting equipment contains
little or no electronics. It would be useful to enable instant
feedback from play using sporting equipment for bearer of the
equipment, their opponent, spectators, coaches, and referees. It
would be useful if there were some way to sense events happening in
sporting equipment or users of that sporting equipment and to
provide indication of scoring and when participants are authorized
to score based on the rules of play. There is presently no device
which contains the rules of play as processor logic, indicates when
a participant is authorized to score, and indicated scoring based
on what is happening with the sports equipment and the rules of
play. Rather, in most competitive sports, a referee is present to
enforce the rules of play and decide on scoring and whether
participants are authorized to make such scoring.
[0002] The modern sport of fencing is a good example of the present
state of the art. Modern fencing relies heavily on electronics to
facilitate scoring and play. The modern sport of fencing is
hundreds of years old. Historically, referees and bout directors
awarded points (or touches--where one opponent's weapon blade or
tip makes contact with the target area of the other opponent) by
visually observing two opponents and determining whether a touch
occurred and whether the fencer scoring the touch should be awarded
a point based on existing rules. The object of saber fencing, based
on cavalry fencing on horseback, is to score touches by contacting
a blade or tip of a fencer's weapon with an opponent's target area
(above that opponent's waist including his arms and head). The
object of foil fencing is to score touches by contacting the tip of
a fencer's weapon with an opponent's target area (the opponent's
torso). The object of epee fencing, based on first-blood duels, is
to score touches by contacting the tip of a fencer's weapon with an
opponent's target area (any part of the opponent's body). Each form
of modern sport of fencing is very rapid. Often actions, contacts,
and target areas are difficult to visually see. Modern fencing
weapons are so light that skilled fencers can manipulate them with
extreme speed in flurries of action. This speed renders it
difficult to determine when touches are scored and who is
authorized under the rules of competition to score them. Even where
several officials are employed to judge a match, visual
identification of scoring maneuvers and uniform enforcement of the
rules of play is difficult. Disagreement between officials often
occurs, due to the inconsistency in the quality of perspective
enjoyed by the various officials. Moreover, judgment by visual
observation is a subjective criterion, and the acuity of vision may
vary among officials, and even in the same official.
[0003] In the 1970s electronic circuits were used to aid in
awarding touches. FIG. 1 depicts the current state of the art
fencing scoring system. Each fencer X, Y holds a weapon 12, 14
which includes a blade 20 connected to a wire running down each
fencer's sleeve (not shown) and connected behind each fencer to a
reel wire 24, 26 affixed to a retractable reel 28, 30. Each fencer
X, Y wears a jacket 21, 22 which can be made of a conductive
material, a mask 30 which can be made of conductive material, and a
wire 31 connecting the mask to the jacket 21. The terminal of the
reel wire 24, 26 is also connected electrically to the fencer's
jacket 21, 22. Each reel 28, 30 is connected to an electrical
scoring apparatus 10 that has indicators Wx, Cx, Wy, Cy which
alternately illuminate to indicate a touch. If the weapon being
fenced is saber, then when fencer Y in FIG. 1 contacts fencer X
with any portion of the blade 20 of weapon 14 on a conductive area
of either jacket 22 or mask 33, a circuit connects and indicator
light Wy indicates fencer A scored a touch. A referee or director D
will use this information and his or her visualization of the
action to decide whether fender Y's touch should be awarded a
point. When fencer X in FIG. 1 contacts fencer Y with the blade 16
of weapon 12 on fencer Y's conductive area of either jacket 22 or
mask 33, a circuit connects and indicator light Wx illuminates.
Foil and epee fencing rely on a tip of weapon 12 contacting valid
target area on an opponent. In all three weapons, often both lights
Wy and Wx will illuminate and a director or referee will need to
determine to which fencer, if any, a touch should be awarded
according to the rules of the weapon being fenced. In the case of
saber and foil, these rules include a requirement that a fencer
have "right-of-way". This can be the right to attack based on which
fencer moved their weapon forward first, which fencer moved their
opponents weapon out of the way, which fencer block the other
fencer's attack, etc. Which fencer has right-of-way can change
during the course of fencing action. Presently, the only way to
detect which fencer has right-of-way is after-the fact (i.e., if
only one light Wy or Wx is illuminated after one fencer scores a
touch), or by visual inspection by a referee or competitor to break
down the action preceding both lights Wy and Wx illuminating and
deciding which, if any, fencer had right-of-way or was authorized
to score. There is a long unmet need to have a real-time, automated
way in which right-of-way scoring authorization can be judged and
indicated and have far fewer confusing occurrences where awarding
hits is difficult because multiple indicator lights are
illuminated.
[0004] State-of-the-art fencing scoring equipment apparatuses
contain some limited programmed logic in the form of lockout
timing. Lockout timing is programmed into a signal processor within
scoring apparatus 10 such that if both fencers make valid hits on
each other's respective target areas within a few 1/10 ths of a
second both indicator lights Wy and Wx will illuminate. However, if
both fencers make valid hits on each other's respective target
areas, but beyond the few 1/10ths of a second "lockout timing" only
the first fencer to hit will have their respective indicator light
Wy or Wx illuminated. This lockout timing is fixed per weapon and
set according to international fencing competition rules. This is
of limited use, as it only is clock-based and reflects the time
between hits to ensure hits outside a set time window after an
initial hit are discounted. It does not take into account may other
factors which can determine right-of-way, such as which fencer
moved their weapon forward first, which fencer moved their
opponents weapon out of the way, which fencer block the other
fencer's attack . In fact, having only the lockout timing as
automated authorization information actually encourages fencers to
take advantage of the electronic system. For example, knowing that
the lockout timing can be manipulated to advantage, a fencer who
has been blocked, and therefore lost right-of-way may continue
forward with their attack hoping to score a hit and rely on the
lockout timing to discredit their opponent's forthcoming
counter-attack. This leads to fencing actions which are less clean
and forces competitors to fence such that they try best to take
advantage of the electrical system to score rather than concentrate
on abiding by the rules. It would be very useful to integrate the
lockout timing into a wearable device to eliminate costly
components in a fencing system (i.e., scoring apparatus 10, two
reels 28, 30, two electrical wires connecting reels 28, 30 to
electrical scoring apparatus 10, wires in fencers' sleeves) and
include additional information from the fencing equipment in a
manner such that scoring authorization is uniformly enforced, is
perceptible to competitors, referees and spectators by having fewer
confusing outcomes where both indicator lights are illuminated, and
eliminates the desirability of taking advantage of the electrical
scoring system to circumvent the actual rules of the sport.
Wearable electronics are just beginning to enter the main stream.
Current state of the art products such as the Nike Fuel Band.sup.TM
include a variety of sensors such as: pedometers, biometric
sensors, accelerometers, etc. They contain processors and user
interfaces which record and display information regarding user
motion and activity. The data contained in these products can be
wirelessly transmitted to a mobile device and are connected to
applications which provide users with feedback such as how many
calories are burned in a day or how much time is spent sleeping.
However such devices presently do not provide the wearer with
feedback based on physical events of sporting equipment and provide
feedback on which opponent is authorized to score.
[0005] The invention overcomes the problems of the prior art by
providing a wearable device which is programmed with logic that can
correspond to the rules of a sport, determine whether a player is
authorized to score, and includes indicators for scoring authority
and for scoring. This can better automate adjudication of scoring,
clarify which participant can score at a given moment, remove
subjectivity from enforcement of rules, and remove the ability to
manipulate legacy scoring systems than the present state of the art
allows. Because this occurs in a wearable device the user and
spectators of the user can visualize the authority and scoring
indicators in a sensory way before during and after the course of
engaging in the sport without interrupting the training, match,
game, etc., for example by illumining a particular color of light,
making a noise or vibrating. The invention can also be entirely
self-contained and requires no additional wiring to connect the
wearable device and the sporting equipment if the sporting
equipment also contains a wireless component. Alternatively the
sporting equipment can deliver signal information via a wired
connection to the wearable device. The wearable device can be
programmed to synchronize with another device such that authority
is determined via a negotiation between devices. For example, two
competing fencers can synchronize their wearable devices prior to
competing such that right-of-way can be determined in real time
based on both fencers' actions. Other aspects and advantages of
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of the
principles of the invention.
FIGURES
[0006] FIG. 1 depicts a prior art fencing system;
[0007] FIG. 2 depicts a fencing system including a wearable device
according to the invention;
[0008] FIG. 3 depicts a first view of a first configuration of a
wearable device according to the invention;
[0009] FIG. 4 depicts a top-down view of the wearable device of
FIG. 3 laid flat;
[0010] FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram showing method steps according
to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a fencing system according to the invention.
Fencers x and y wear wearable devices 100 and 101, respectively.
Wearable devices 100 and 101 are connected to their weapons 12, 14
by a wired connection or wirelessly. Weapons 12 and 14 can be
enabled with sensors which output signals or can provide signals
directly to wearable devices 100, 101, respectively, that are
received and which represent a physical state of the corresponding
weapons. This signal can be when fencer x contacts the appropriate
target area of fencer y with the appropriate portion of weapon 12,
this will send a first signal representing physical event signal
from weapon 12 to wearable device 100 over the wired or wireless
connection between wearable device 100 and weapon 12. Wearable
device 100 receives the first signal. Wearable device 100 can also
conduct a negotiation with wearable device 101 to generate a second
signal based on any signal wearable device 101 received
representing physical event of weapon 14. The second signal
represents scoring authorization information and derives from
motion, location, position, contact with another piece of sporting
equipment, location of contact with another piece of sporting
equipment, sound, current, voltage, resistance, capacitance, angle,
acceleration, rotation, or contact location of one or both weapons
12 or 14, or any other physical event different from the event used
to generate the first signal. Both wearable devices 100 and 101
process authority information and perform a negotiation on which
fencer has right-of-way to attack (i.e., does the physical event
signal meet a threshold that an appropriate portion of weapon 12
contacted the target area of fencer y within an allowable time
period) and generates an authority signal which activates an
indicator 102 (for example a light) disposed on or within one or
both wearable devices 100, 101. So when fencer x has authority to
score (right-of-way) indicator 102 will illuminate one programmed
color (i.e., blue) and when fencer x then scores a valid touch on
fencer y while authorized to do so, indicator 102 will, for
example, illuminate another programmed color (i.e., red). However,
if fencer x does not have right-of-way, indicator 102 will not
illuminate and even if fencer x makes a valid hit on fencer y,
indicator 102 may not illuminate. Alternatively indicator 102 can
be composed of multiple indicators (i.e., one for signaling
authorization to score and another to signal scoring). Wearable
device 100 provides fencer x, spectators of fencer x, a referee of
fencer x, etc. with an indication (in this example a visual
indication) that fencer x had right-of-way authorization and when
fencer x scored a touch during the course of a bout.
[0012] Wearable device 100 can also wirelessly communicate the
physical event signal and/or perform the negotiation over the
authorization signal with wearable device 101. Prior to fencing,
fencers x and y can synchronize and/or pair wearable devices 100
and 101 to communicate over a wireless connection 104. The
synchronization and/or pairing can be achieved using Near Field
Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Wifi, ISO 15693, ISO 14443, or any
other contact or contactless pairing technique. Fencers x and y can
initiate this synchronization by pressing a synchronization/pairing
button on wearable devices 100 and 101 respective or by simply
bringing wearable devices 100 and 101 in adequate proximity of one
another to establish, for example, an NFC pairing. The
synchronization/pairing enables signaling between wearable devices
100 and 101 over wireless connection 104. Wireless connection 104
can be a Bluetooth, Wifi, or any other wireless connection operable
to allow communication over the approximate distances between
fencers x and y. Once devices 100 and 101 are synchronized/paired
and communicating over wireless connection 104, when fencer x has
right-of-way and scores a valid touch on fencer y, wearable device
100 can signal to wearable device 101 over wireless connection 104
which receives the signal or signals and activates indicator 103
to, for example, illuminate the same color as indicator 102 to
indicate that fencer x scored the touch. When fencer x scores a
valid touch and has right-of-way authorization, both indicator 102
and indicator 103 will, for example, display a red color.
Conversely, when fencer y scores a valid touch, both indicator 102
and indicator 103 will, for example, display a green color. This
allows the fencers x and y, a referee, and spectators to observe
scoring nearly simultaneously simply by viewing one of indicator
101 and 103. All that is required to participate in fencing (aside
from requisite protective equipment) is wearable devices 100 and
101 and weapons 12 and 14 which together make up a system that
enables participation in the modern sport of fencing without
requiring all the costly reels, wires, and scoring machines of the
prior art system (which are also prone to failure) just to enable
play.
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a first view of one configuration of wearable
device 100. Wearable device 100 forms an accessory band 106 which
allows wearable device 100 to be secured to a person, for example
on their wrist. In the example of FIG. 3, band 106 is flexible and
can be secured on a person by overlapping closure portions 107,
111. Closure portions 107, 111 can be formed of Velcro or any other
material or mechanism used to secure an article. For use in sports
it is important to maintain the position of said wearable device in
a substantially stationary position on the human body during
physical activity using said at least one piece of sporting
equipment. This prevents damage to the wearable device 100,
interruption in signaling between the sporting equipment and the
wearable device 100, and discomfort for the wearer of wearable
device 100. So band 106 and closure portions 107, 111 should
generate adequate tightness. Alternatively, band 106 can be formed
at least partially from an elastic material which provides the
requisite tightness. Band 106 can also be formed of an
uninterrupted strip of material which may not require closure
potions 107, 111 but rather, for example be configured to slip over
a person's hand onto their wrist. Further, band 106 can include
additional securing mechanisms such as secondary elastic band 109
that assists in maintaining a substantially stationary position and
can help maintain contact between wearable device 100 and the skin
of its wearer.
[0014] Wearable device 100 also includes indictor 102 for
indicating scoring. Indicator 102 can be a single indicator such as
a light or can be an array of lights (i.e., LEDs). It can also be
formed, in a second example, by a light source located within
components enclosure 108 which passes light through a diffusing
layer that is visible through one or more openings in an outer
layer of band 106 (as depicted in FIG. 3). Indicator 102 can also
be any other visible, audible, vibration, or tactile indicator.
Wearable device Wearable device 100 can also include indicator 213
for indicating scoring authorization (i.e., right-of-way).
[0015] Wearable device 100 includes component enclosure 108 which
houses the signal receiver, processor, indicator signal generator,
power supply, wireless components, selection mechanisms, etc.
Component enclosure 108 must be made from an adequately robust
substance to protect its contents from breakage during the course
of play. User selection inputs, such as buttons 112 can also be
disposed on or within component enclosure 108. Buttons 112 can be
used, for example, to initiate synchronization/paring, select
indicator settings (i.e., indicator color, sound, enable multiple
indicators, etc.), or select sport (i.e., select processor logic to
enable indication of appropriate events and states for particular
sports; for example selecting epee fencing rules versus saber
fencing rules).
[0016] FIG. 4 depicts a top-down view of the wearable device 100 of
FIG. 3 laid flat with the cover of component enclosure 108 removed.
Inside component enclosure 108 is a circuit board supporting
various components. The components on the circuit board can have
any topology. Component enclosure 108 can contain a socket 113 for
receiving an input from a wired connection to sporting equipment
that may serves as a signal receiver. It can also contain a
processor 114, a power supply 115, a first wireless device 116, a
sound generator 117, an LED driver and array 118, a memory 120, and
a second wireless device 119. In a wired configuration, a user
connects the output of electronic-enabled sporting equipment into
socket 113 which receives physical event and state signals from the
sporting equipment. An example of this would be connecting a
fencing weapon such as weapon 12 from FIG. 2 into socket 113. This
connection can be an electrical connection or any other signal
connection known in the art. Alternatively, if electronic-enabled
sporting equipment includes wireless capability, first wireless
device 116 can connect with the sporting equipment to receive
physical event and state signals from the wireless-enabled sporting
equipment. First wireless device 116 can be any kind of wireless
device capable of interfacing with a wireless enabled sporting
equipment, for example an RFID transceiver or a Bluetooth wifi
module.
[0017] First signals representing physical states of a connected
weapon may be passed from socket 113 and/or first wireless device
116 to processor 114. First wireless device 116 may also be a
transceiver for sending and receiving authorization information
from a second device which processor 114 processes and performs a
negotiation with the second device based on stored logic to
generate an authorization signal. Processor 114 is programmed with
logic which enables it to receive the authorization information and
generate an authorization signal which causes sound generator 117
to produce a sound, and/or LED driver and array 118 produces at
least one light indicating scoring authorization. When processor
114 processes the first signal while indicating scoring
authorization it may generate a scoring signal and cause sound
generator 117 to produce a sound and/or LED driver and array 118 to
produce at least one light indicating scoring.
[0018] Processor 114, in communication with a second device via the
transceiver of second wireless device 119 performs and negotiation
and can determine in real-time instantaneously which fencer has
right-of-way during the fencing action. Information which can alter
determination of right-of-way include detecting a parry (a block or
deflection of an opponent's attacking blade), a distance parry
(when one fencer initiates an attack and misses both the opponent's
blade and the target area), a beat (a knocking-away of an
opponent's blade preceding an attack), which portion of the blade
or guard performs a parry or beat, blade angle, direction or
acceleration of one or both weapons or fencers, which fencer moves
forward first upon commencement of action, position of the fencer
or weapon on the area of play, the angle or trajectory of one or
both blades, or any other physical event of a weapon or fencer
which the rules dictate contribute to determination of
right-of-way. Both device 100 and second device perform a
negotiation to effectively agree on which, if any fencer has
right-of-way based on the aforementioned physical information. This
negotiation can happen according to any known negotiation between
two devices deciding on a mutual state. Which fencer has
right-of-way can change during the course of action and such
changes can be handled, for example, by continuous or scheduled
negotiations between devices.
[0019] Processor 114 can also be programmed to assign scoring
authorization signals for multiple lock-out timings, for example,
one lockout timing for attacks after a parry, for counter-attacks,
where both fencers move forward simultaneously, etc. This will
require fencers to perform clean fencing actions because they will
not have the ability to take advantage of flaws in the system, but
must follow the rules which will be enforced by the wearable
devices 100, 101.
[0020] Scoring authorization indication is also very useful in
other sports where scoring authorization is required. This can, for
example, include providing automatic indication of being within a
requisite position vis a vis an area of play, e.g., on-sides in
soccer (thereby authorized to score a goal), in the three-point
zone in basketball, etc. Scoring authorization can be related to
competitors motion, location, body position, distance from an
opponent, distance from opponent's equipment, position within the
area of play, electrical signal, speed, acceleration, timing,
direction, equipment angle, or equipment contact.
[0021] Memory 120 can contain various sets of rules for various
equipment types. When processor 114 connects with a connected piece
of equipment (e.g., a fencing weapon) it can be programmed to
detect which set of logic from memory 120 to employ to generate
authority signals and scoring signals. This selectivity allows for
use of wearable device 100 with various types of equipment, not
simply fencing alone. Further, memory 120 can be updated with new
rules, versions of rules, or with rules corresponding to alternate
types of equipment, for example via first wireless connection 116
or second wireless connection 119. This enables wearable device 100
to be updated remotely with alternate sets of logic to remain
current with a sport's rules, allow for multiple modes of operation
(e.g., practice-mode, coaching-mode, etc.), or to function for
multiple kinds of sports or equipment.
[0022] First receiver 116 and/or second receiver 119 may be
configured to receive a physical event signal from a referee
device. A referee device may be a device which wirelessly transmits
to both opponents wearable devices 100 and 101 a clock-start
signal. This information will be processed by processor 114 based
on the programmed logic and used in addition to the authority
information and the physical event information in the negotiation
between the wearable devices 100 and 101 to generate the authority
signal and/or the scoring signal.
[0023] FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram showing method steps for
indicating scoring authority and scoring based on a physical event
of at least one piece of sporting equipment on a wearable device
100. The method includes step 901 where fencers begin fencing. This
can be upon the audible command of "fence" by a referee, can begin
the second movement of either fencer is detected, when a referee
depresses a button, or any other way of initiating action. Once
fencing begins, so also begins continuous or periodic negotiation
over which fencer has scoring authority. In step 902, wearable
device 100 receives scoring authority information and decides
whether to generate an authority signal. This can include any
physical event information from sporting equipment, and can also
include information from a referee device. In step 903, of wearable
device 100 generates an authority signal based on fencer x having
right-of-way. In step 904, wearable device does not generate an
authority signal because fencer x does not have right-of-way. In
step 905, wearable device 100 generates an authority signal because
fencer x and fencer y both have right of way. Upon detection of
physical event information from the at least one piece of sporting
equipment processor 114 determines in step 906 whether the event
complies with the lockout timing or not. Then if there is a scoring
authority signal and compliance with lockout timing, processor 114
generates a scoring signal in steps 907 or 909.
[0024] While the invention has been shown and described with
reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and
their equivalents.
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