Auto-calibrating force and direction sensing scoring system for fencing
First Claim
1. A force sensor tip for a fencing weapon for use in fencing competition comprisinga housing adapted for mounting on a distal end of an elongated fencing weapon and having a first sensor sensing touches with a force component primarily in the direction of the weapon'"'"'s elongation, a second sensor sensing touches with a force component primarily transverse to the weapon'"'"'s elongation, and an electrical connection to a scoring box to communicate touches sensed by the sensors.
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Abstract
An improved sensor is mounted at the tip of the blade of either foil or epee for scoring during fencing competition. The sensor transforms axial force, and optionally radial force, into changes in electrical resistance in one, or optionally two circuits. The resistance change is transformed into voltage change by a voltage divider circuit. The voltage is converted to a digital measurement by an analog-to-digital converter and compared to a reference value by a digital control element, such as a microprocessor. Push-button calibration is achieved by storing the reference value resulting from the force produced by gravity acting on a standard mass. When both radial and axial force components are sensed, the angle of the force relative to the axis of the sensor (and blade) can be computed and used to qualify the validity of the touché. A scoring box adapter performs the sensing and calibrating functions and provides signals for the inputs of scoring boxes and other equipment of prior art.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A force sensor tip for a fencing weapon for use in fencing competition comprising
a housing adapted for mounting on a distal end of an elongated fencing weapon and having a first sensor sensing touches with a force component primarily in the direction of the weapon'"'"'s elongation, a second sensor sensing touches with a force component primarily transverse to the weapon'"'"'s elongation, and an electrical connection to a scoring box to communicate touches sensed by the sensors.
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12. A force sensor tip for a fencing weapon for use in fencing competition comprising
a substantially tubular housing adapted for mounting on a distal end of an elongated fencing weapon and having a movable plunger extending axially in the housing, a first sensor including an electrically conductive elastomeric material positioned to be compressed by axial movement of the plunger so the resistance of the first sensor'"'"'s elastomeric material decreases to sense axial touches, a second sensor including electrically conductive elastomeric material positioned to be compressed by radial movement of the plunger so the resistance of the second sensor'"'"' elastomeric material decreases to sense radial touches, and an electrical connection to a scoring box to communicate touches sensed by the sensors.
- 16. A method of scoring touches in fencing comprising electrically sensing touches between a tip of a fencing weapon and a target, and automatically determining touches that have a force component primarily in the direction of the weapon'"'"'s elongation and touches with a force component primarily transverse to the weapon'"'"'s elongation.
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19. A method of scoring touches in fencing comprising
a. electrically sensing touches between a tip of a fencing weapon and a lamé - ,
b. automatically discriminating between touches that have a force component primarily in the direction of the weapon'"'"'s elongation and touches with a force component primarily transverse to the weapon'"'"'s elongation by separately sensing forces primarily in the direction of the weapon'"'"'s elongation and forces primarily transverse to the weapon'"'"'s elongation; and
c. electrically transmitting the electrically sensed touches to a scoring box.
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20. A method of scoring touches in fencing comprising electrically sensing changes is the resistance of an electrically conductive elastomeric material effected by compression of the material by touches between a tip of a fencing weapon and a target.
Specification