PORTABLE ELECTRONIC SCORING DEVICE FOR SPORTS
Field of the Invention This invention relates to the sports field and, in particular, to a portable electronic device for keeping track of score and other data in sports and manipulating the same.
Background of the Invention Recreational sports, such as racquet sports and golf, have huge numbers of participants.
Some of the more popular racquet sports include tennis, racquetball, badminton, squash, paddle tennis and table tennis.
A common problem encountered by recreational players of racquet sports is losing track to of the score. Since there is generally no non-participating scorekeeper, the players themselves have to also track the score. This can lead to many problems, given that the players chief focal point is on the playing of the points themselves. Although players are generally required to announce the score before each serve, confusion can be generated in long rallies, when changing servers, or simply in the course of the game itself. In addition to honest mistakes in the actual score of a game, some players may intentionally misstate the score.
Disagreements about the score are a common cause of discord in recreational racquet games, and can easily lead to arguments and decreased enjoyment of the game.
In the worst case, games may be cancelled because of these disagreements.
2o Because of the expense of having an impartial scorekeeper, that solution is rarely, if ever, available to the recreational player. Inexpensive mechanical score displays are available, but the same problems with confusion of score can arise with these manual devices. It is simply too inconvenient for a player to periodically interrupt the game to update a scoreboard.
At racquet clubs, tournaments are often conducted. It is difficult for tournament administrators to accurately monitor the scores as they change on a number of different courts or locations. Players are expected to report their scores as matches are completed 73251-1 (KB) but often forget to do so and there is no way to have a "live" update of the scores as matches progress. This takes away from some of the excitement and anticipation the tournaments would otherwise generate.
Furthermore, tournament organizers often want to be able to give prizes or otherwise recognize certain records achieved at eh tournament such as the most deuces, longest unbeaten run of games and other statistics. They may even want to record the fastest serve, or ground stroke.
Similarly, in recreational golf tournaments, the scores of the participants are often not recorded until the tournament is completed decreasing the anticipation and enjoyment to experienced by the players.
Summary of the Invention According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an electronic scoring device for scorekeeping for recreational. Preferably, the device is lightweight, portable and may be worn on a belt, wristband, headband, shoe attachment, golf bag or even attached to a racquet or sport clothing. Preferably, the device is water resistant or water proof, is shock proof. The device further includes an optional display for displaying information like the score, time, other scores, weather conditions, etc.
Optionally, it includes an audio signal generator for indicating the score and other aspects of the game audibly. Actuating devices adapted to the equipment of the particular game are provided so that a user may easily operate the scorekeeper while participating in the game. The scorekeeper can be adjusted manually to correct mistakes, and can be used in multiple modes.
According to another aspect of the invention, the device is linkable, either wired or wirelessly, to another device like a computer, PDA, etc. or other receiver to permit the transfer of data including live, ongoing display of scores. Optionally, the device tracks ambient temperature, time and other environmental data. Preferably, the device has memory for storing past games data which can be accessed by the user.
Optionally, the device can measure physiological characteristics of the user such as blood pressure and 73251-1 (KB) heart rate. The device can also measure physical aspects of the game such as serve speed, player speed, ground stroke speed, and can track game statistics such as the number of strokes made during a rally.
The device is attachable to the user by strap, clip, magnet, Velcro or other attachment means.
An advantage of the present invention is that, prior to each serve, the score is audibly announced so that all players can track the score without visual monitoring.
This provides a means to assure accurate and honest control of the score, even when the players themselves are responsible for the scorekeeping.
to Another advantage of the present invention is that the score of the game can be kept accurately without interrupting the flow of the game.
A further advantage of the present invention is that the scorekeeper is small, lightweight, and easily installed in existing equipment or clothing.
A still further advantage of the present invention is that it is inexpensive to manufacture.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it can be utilized by players of all skill levels, and can also be used in organized games by the officials.
Other and further advantages and features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
2o Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described in more detailed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers refer to like elements, where in:
Figure 1 is a front view of the of the device embodying the features of the present invention;
73251-1 (KB) Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring now to Figure 1, the invention in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment is generally indicated at 10. Display 14 is used to display data for the user.
Input controllers 16 are used to navigate the menus displayed on display 14 and to enter scores. They may be used to control the power on the unit or, alternatively, there may be a power switch 20. A microphone and speaker 18 can be used to input and retrieve data in audible format. Power may be provided by solar panels (not shown), internal battery or kinometric mechanism (not shown), or by an external charger port 24. Data may be transferred by antenna 22 or by data port 26.
to This concludes the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention. The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended the scope of the invention be limited not by this description but by the claims that follow.
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