Computerized smart gaming tournament system for the internet

• US 20110082571A1
• Filed: 04/26/2010
• Published: 04/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philip A. Williams, Wilbert Q. Murdock
• Original Assignee: Murdock Wilbert Quinc, Philip Alister Williams
• Inventors: Murdock, Wilbert Quinc, Williams, Philip Alister
• Granted Patent: US 9,662,558 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/92
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1128 using image analysis A61B5/1127 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6895 Sport equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/744 Displaying an avatar, e.g. an animated cartoon character
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/745 using a holographic display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/00 Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 : Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 : Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 : Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 : Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 : Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 : Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 : Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/357 : for golf cups or holes, e.g. flags
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/40 : Golf cups or holes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/405 : Cups with automatic ball ejector means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 : Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/02 : Special golf games, e.g. miniature golf or golf putting games played on putting tracks; putting practice apparatus having an elongated platform as a putting track
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 : for golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 : using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/362 : electrical or electronic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3632 : Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3655 : Balls, ball substitutes, or attachments on balls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 : Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3676 : for putting A63B69/3608, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3697 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3685 : Putters or attachments on putters, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3688 : Balls, ball substitutes, or attachments on balls therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 : Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 : Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 : Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 : characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 : using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 : using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 : specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 : Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 : by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 : involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 : involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/573 : using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 : involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 : for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 : Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/814 : Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 : Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 : being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 : according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8047 : Music games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 : Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 : Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/26 : involving a sensor measurement for aiding acquisition or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 : Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

A tournament system that encompasses and integrates wirelessly connected actual sports equipment with a computer and the internet to allow players geographically remote from one another to play an actual competitive sport. The system allows the communication of direct images and verbal interactions between geographically remote players during every aspect of play as if playing the same game together at the exact same time from their respective geographic locations. An individual player may opt to play solo or against the computer to improve techniques. Each local system of sports implements is coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter circuitry to wirelessly communicate game performance information to a receiver and computer. The computer displays player information and visually displays and controls a sports competition in real-time between two or more players via the internet having similar equipment and remotely located from each other. The tournament system pairs remote players and designates a remote player within the group as a server and the others clients. If a player is disconnected during competition, information regarding that player'"'"'s IP address and game status is supplied to the group'"'"'s designated server and a connection is either reestablished or that player is replaced with another player from a queue of awaiting players. The system employs specially developed computer software to process player performance data, control game play, communicate game information between players, generate and control visual simulations and display player performance information.

Claims

1. A computerized interactive sports tournament system comprising:

A first array of sensors mounted to a sports implement;

A second array of sensors comprising one or more contact sensors mounted to said sports implement.

A third array of sensors comprising motion sensing devices attached to and or static and detached from said sports implement;

A first computer programmed to process data derived from data acquired by said first, said second, and said third sensor arrays.

A first communications link with transmitting data derived from said data acquired by said first sensor array to said first computer;

A second communications link for transmitting data derived from said data acquired from said second remote sensors to said first computer; and

A display monitor connected to said first computer;

A second computer programmed to communicate with at least two remote player of sites;

A third communications link for transmitting data derived from said data acquired by said first computers to said second computer; and

A fourth communications link or medium for transmitting data derived from said data acquired by said second computer to at least one of said first computers;

A fourth communications link or medium for transmitting data derived from said data acquired by said second computer to at least one of said first computers;

Wherein said first computer is further program to analyze the performance of a person with said performance analysis being based on said derived data transmitted by said first and second communication links; and

to further control said display monitor to display the results of said performance analysis;

Wherein said second computer is programmed to cause the transfer of local player events from a remote player site to another remote player site for presentation to another player, notify players when it is their respective turn to play, measure player time delays, disconnect player remote sites with excessive time delays, and conduct an Internet search for another opponent if the remaining player wishes to continue to play.

2. The computerized interactive sports tournament system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first computer is further programmed to send the real-time results of said performance analysis to said second computer upon completion of said performance analysis via said third communications link.

3. The computerized interactive sports tournament system as recited in claim 1, wherein said third sensor array comprises motion sensing devices or a motion detector mounted internally or externally to said sports implement.

4. The computerized interactive sports tournament system as recited in claim 1, wherein said second computer comprises a sports competition server connected to said first computer via a network, which comprises the fourth communications link, wherein said first computer is further programmed to process data from said sports competition server representing the real-time user performance of a competition at a remote site during the turn of said competitor.

wherein said sports competition server selects remote players for queue of awaiting players in response to a first player indicating a readiness to play.

5. The computerized interactive sports tournament system as recited in claim 4, wherein said sports competition server is programmed to establish connections amongst subscribing players at a plurality of remote locations via said network;

where the players log into the competition server and enter personal identification information, identification of their remote competitor, competitor'"'"'s location, and identification of the type of sport to be played at each respective geographically remote site for player-to-player direct interaction and verbal interaction with their remote opponent.

6. The computerized interactive sports tournament system as recited in claim 4, wherein said second computer is further programmed to create and manage a plurality of games and players, wherein said games comprise one or more computers of opponents connected to said first computer.

wherein each first computer comprises a network port for connecting to said network, a serial data port for receiving a serial data stream from a respective set of sensors designed to detect the motion of respective sports equipment items or controllers operably connected to a respective player and a port for connecting to its respective display monitor whereby each first computer is programmed to perform the following:

Processing the digital data stream from said respective set of sensors into game data having a format representing game results for said first computer player;

controlling their respective display monitor to provide visual feedback concerning the progress of the game;

Transmitting real-time game data from said first computer player to said second computer that comprises said sports competition server; and

Polling said competition server for receipt of game data and or messages from opponents or players at remote sites.

7. The computerized interactive sports tournament system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first computer programming comprises:

A serial port listener software program that receives acquired data from said first, second, and third sensor arrays;

A socket event listener that receives data from said sports competition server; and

A main thread for alternately processing data received by either said socket event listener or said serial port listener in accordance with sports competition format wherein acquired data from said first, said second, and said third sensor arrays a processed by said first computer and the results are sent to said sports competition server only if data has been previously received from said sports competition server indicating that it is that players turn to play, otherwise, acquired data from said golf club, said golf club motion sensing devices, and said target receptacle are ignored by said computer if data has been previously received from said sports competition server indicating that it is a remote players turned to play;

Wherein controlling the reception of data received from said first, said second, and said third sensor arrays is allowed only on that players turn thus allowing sequential play, the use of one or more said sports implements, one or more said sports implement spatial orientation and directional devices with one or more said first computers in the network.

13. The computerized interactive sports tournament system of claim 1, wherein the tournament system further comprises a tournament server that pairs remote players together for game play and designates a remote player of the group as a server and the others clients;

wherein, if a player is disconnected during competition the sports tournament server forwards information data pertaining that player'"'"'s IP address and game status to the group'"'"'s designated server and a connection is either reestablished or that player is replaced with another player from a queue of awaiting players.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the alert or message comprises an invitation to at least one person to access the gaming environment and participate in playing a game thereon with the player.

15. The computerized interactive sports tournament system of claim 1, wherein the sports equipment and or sports implements include a clock generating a time signal and electronic processing means associating the sensor data with the time signal.

16. The computerized interactive sports tournament system of claim 1, wherein the sports implements are provided a clarification means allowing it to identify from which player and sports equipment sensor data are transmitted to the Internet server.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the application is designed to assign data received from different sports equipment to different user accounts;

wherein fields for user input configure player eligibility for the tournament game, duration of the tournament game, scoring methodology, award structure for the tournament game, award types, and display settings for tournament signage.

18. The method for interactive data processing of claim 1, comprising the steps of capturing sensor data are related to a plurality of sports equipment;

and

transferring the sensor data to an Internet server and relating the sensor data received from different sports equipment to each other.

19. The method of claim 17, comprising the step of identifying from which sports equipment the sensor data is received and player.

20. The method of claim 17 comprising a means of assigning sensor data received from different sports equipment and game sessions to different user accounts, wherein the tournament server manages the sports implements for one or more player-initiated tournament games;

wherein the tournament server system includes a user display and a user interface having a plurality of fields for user input, a plurality of fields used to configure one or more player-initiated tournament games, and the tournament server system is operable to manage tournament creation, tournament play, patron registration, patron management, tournament reports, winner identification, or any combination thereof.

8. A method for responding to a predefined event occurring within a gaming environment, by automatically transmitting an alert or message to a person outside the gaming environment, comprising the steps of:

detecting that the predefined event has occurred within the gaming environment,

wherein;

the gaming environment provides a secure and limited access such that player players only gain access to the gaming environment through a secure gateway,

wherein;

the secure gateway is inaccessible by any person communicating over a network that is outside of the gaming environment; and

the network is inaccessible from within the gaming environment by players participating in the gaming environment; and

in response to the predefined event occurring within the gaming environment, transmitting an alert or message to the person over the network, wherein the alert or message provides information related to the predefined event.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of transmitting the alert or message comprises transmitting the alert or message through the network to a communication system that transmits the alert or message to a portable communication device of the person, and said message including the information.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the information included in the alert or message is a reminder to a player to play a previously scheduled game within the gaming environment;

wherein the information included in the alert or message also refers to any change in gaming content within the gaming environment.

11. A system that responds to a predefined event occurring within a gaming environment, by automatically transmitting an alert or message to a person outside the gaming environment, comprising:

a game server that includes a processor and a memory storing a plurality of machine instructions, said game server being included within a gaming service that establishes the gaming environment further including a communication interface that couples the game server to a network; and

wherein said processor executes the machine instructions stored in the memory, causing the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including;

detecting when a predefined event occurs within the gaming environment, wherein;

the gaming environment provides a secure and limited access such that players only gain access to the gaming environment through a secure gateway wherein;

the secure gateway is inaccessible by any person communicating over a network that is outside of the gaming environment; and

the network is inaccessible from within the gaming environment by players participating in the gaming environment; and

in response to detecting the predefined event, initiating transmission of an alert or message to a person outside the gaming environment over the network.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising an alerts service having a server that includes a communication interface, a memory, and a processor coupled to the communication interface and the memory of the alert server, wherein said processor of the alert server executes the machine instructions stored in the memory of the alert server to carry out a further plurality of functions, including receiving at least an indicia of information to be included in the alert or message transmitted from the game server and in response, transmitting the alert or message to a person outside the gaming environment, over the network.