Electronic scorekeeping device and system therefor

• US 20020138163A1
• Filed: 12/11/2001
• Published: 09/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hockeyline Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hockeyline Incorporated
• Inventors: MacPherson, Ray
• Granted Patent: US 6,725,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/92
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/182 Softball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/24 Ice hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing

Abstract

An electronic scorekeeping device is disclosed which allows a user to electronically document data relating to events of a sports game. This data is transferred in real-time in a system according to the invention via a communications means to a central database. The central database may be coupled to a server computer which presents a web site whereby public users may access statistical information relating to a given sports game while the game is still in progress, as well as at and following the conclusion of the game. The web site may present archives of previously played games, and access thereto may be restricted by the use of a username and/or password. The data transfer to the database may be a live feed, or automatic transfers may be scheduled at predetermined time intervals. The device itself is customizable such that the data being gathered can be tailored to suit the specific sport being played. The user may further customize the menu-based screens displayed on the device in order to eliminate the prompting for any extraneous data that is not desired by the particular user.

Claims

1. An electronic scorekeeping device for gathering, processing and distributing statistical information related to a sports game, comprising:

a processor;

input means coupled to said processor for inputting data related to events of said sports game in real-time;

memory means coupled to said processor for storing such inputted data;

display means coupled to said processor for facilitating the entry of such data by a user;

information transfer means for transferring statistical information based on such inputted data to a central database via communication means;

wherein the display means displays a plurality of hierarchical menu-based screens that may be customized by the user to reflect desired data that is to be gathered for said sports game.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the transfer of statistical information is performed automatically.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the user is able to configure the time interval between automatic transfers.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the information transfer means is adapted to transfer statistical information to a location other than the central database.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein the information transfer means is further adapted to import other data from an external source.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the external source is the Internet.

7. A device according to claim 5 wherein the external source is another electronic scorekeeping device.

8. A device according to claim 1 wherein the central database is further coupled to a server computer that provides access to the information in the central database to a plurality of public users.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the server computer hosts a web site which provides access to information in the central database, and optionally provides access to additional information furnished by a web site operator.

10. A device according to claim 8 wherein the server computer provides a service to an external web site such that the external web site is given access to information in the central database.

11. A device according to claim 8 wherein the public users'"'"' access to the information in the central database is regulated by a security measure.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein said security measure comprises the use of a username and a password.

13. A device according to claim 1 further comprising clock interface means for coupling said processor with a game clock.

14. A device according to claim 13 wherein the coupling between the clock interface means and the game clock allows for bi-directional communication.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein the device further comprises clock interface means for coupling said processor with a game clock.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein the coupling between the clock interface means and the game clock allows for bi-directional communication.

19. A system according to claim 16 wherein the transfer of statistical information is performed automatically.

20. A system according to claim 19 wherein the user is able to configure the time interval between automatic transfers.

21. A system according to claim 16 wherein the information transfer means is adapted to transfer statistical information to a location other than the central database.

22. A system according to claim 21 wherein the information transfer means is further adapted to import other data from an external source.

23. A system according to claim 22 wherein the external source is the Internet.

24. A system according to claim 22 wherein the external source is another electronic scorekeeping device.

25. A system according to claim 16 wherein the central database is further coupled to a server computer that provides access to the information in the central database to a plurality of public users.

26. A system according to claim 25 wherein the server computer hosts a web site which provides access to information in the central database, and optionally provides access to additional information furnished by a web site operator.

27. A system according to claim 25 wherein the server computer provides a service to an external web site such that the external web site is given access to information in the central database.

28. A system according to claim 25 wherein the public users'"'"' access to the information in the central database is regulated by a security measure.

29. A system according to claim 28 wherein said security measure consists of the use of a username and a password.

30. A system according to claim 1 wherein the central database is arranged to receive data from a plurality of electronic scorekeeping devices, each of said devices being located at a separate sports game.

31. A system according to claim 16 wherein a plurality of electronic scorekeeping devices is provided for gathering game-related data at said sports game, and wherein

a particular device of said plurality of electronic scorekeeping devices is a master device;

and

the remainder of said plurality of electronic scorekeeping devices are slave devices with respect to said master device.

32. A plurality of systems according to claim 31 wherein each of said systems may communicate with the central database.

15. An electronic scorekeeping device for gathering, processing and distributing statistical information related to a sports game, comprising:

a processor;

input means coupled to said processor for inputting data related to events of said sports game in real-time;

memory means coupled to said processor for storing such inputted data;

display means coupled to said processor for facilitating the entry of such data by a user;

information transfer means for transferring statistical information based on such inputted data to a central database via communication means; and

clock interface means for coupling said processor with a game clock;

wherein the coupling between the clock interface means and the game clock allows for bi-directional communication.

16. A system for gathering, processing and distributing statistical information related to a sports game, comprising:

an electronic scorekeeping device;

a central database;

communication means for effecting communication between said electronic scorekeeping device and said central database;

wherein said electronic scorekeeping device comprises;

a processor;

input means coupled to said processor for inputting data related to events of said sports game in real-time;

memory means coupled to said processor for storing such inputted data;

display means coupled to said processor for facilitating the entry of such data by a user; and

information transfer means for transferring statistical information based on such inputted data to a central database via communication means;

wherein the display means displays a plurality of hierarchical menu-based screens that are customized to reflect the desired data that is to be gathered for said sports game; and

wherein the user is able to further customize the menu-based screens in order to determine which specific data is to be collected at said sports game.