Digital display system and method

Abstract

A system for controlling a clock device is provided. The system includes a clock device in communication with a remote computing device. The remote device is configured to adjust a time of a countdown and define an adjusted time value. The remote device communicates the adjusted time to the clock device, which automatically displays the adjusted time on a screen. The adjusted time is further communicated to a cloud server via an API. The adjusted time is accessible by authorized third parties for display or broadcast. Thus, a user can adjust and track a countdown and can define one official time that is automatically displayed in real time to various end users. The clock device can be placed near a race area and can include a rigid metal frame and a flexible LED screen extending around a perimeter of the frame. The clock device can include hardware and software for processing and outputting the adjusted time to the cloud server.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application is a PCT international patent application claiming the benefit of U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 17 / 167,497, filed on February 4, 2021, which claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 62 / 971,586, filed on February 7, 2020, and the entire contents of each of the above-cited applications are incorporated herein by reference as a whole. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to digital display systems. Specifically, it relates to a digital display structure and system for communicating with digital display structures used in sports events. Background Technology

[0004] Digital display systems, such as digital displays used to convey information (e.g., time, messages, etc.), can be used to display information to various observers in different locations. Digital display devices are commonly used in sporting events to display the elapsed time of a match or the remaining time in a match.

[0005] Typically, digital displays are placed in different locations on a track or field stadium so that spectators and / or participants in the applicable sport can monitor the amount of time elapsed, the amount of time remaining in the game, or the amount of time remaining in a period / quarter / half of the game. Similarly, there are various clocks associated with sub-aspects of the event, such as a shot clock in basketball, a pitching clock in baseball, a serve clock in tennis, etc.

[0006] Round-based sports, such as combat sports, mixed martial arts (MMA), and boxing, use a time-based round system where a match consists of multiple rounds. The number of rounds varies depending on the rules / standards of the specific organization sponsoring or supervising the match (including sports commissions), as well as the level and importance of the competition. In each case, rounds may be timed, where referees evaluate various strike rates, spikes, or other results to determine a decision for each participant.

[0007] In many sporting events, including MMA, it is desirable for participants and spectators to know exactly how much time remains in a round or the entire event. However, placing clocks within an event can be challenging because spectators and photographers, especially those who have paid significant sums to attend, want to maintain a variety of views for filming and capturing the event's audiovisual content. Currently, no official time is displayed; only an unofficial clock is placed above and outside the fighting area so that spectators can see it without obstructing their view of the fight.

[0008] Therefore, in mixed martial arts (MMA) matches, it is difficult for boxers to observe the amount of time remaining in a round or match. This is likely because a boxer must typically be aware of their own and their opponent's positions within the ring, and it is undesirable for a boxer to look up or take their eyes off their opponent to look at a clock hanging above or outside the fighting area. This is especially true in MMA, where participants find themselves in various positions, both standing and on the ground, further impairing their ability to locate the round clock within the arena.

[0009] In some competitions, including MMA, referees have the ability to pause the clock, thus adding time to a round or match. For example, in a football match, a referee might track the amount of time lost during a break in play due to injury, and this time might be added to the end of the first half. However, this information is not readily available to spectators, athletes, coaches, commentators, or television viewers. In some cases, referees simply track the time using a traditional stopwatch and display the remaining time when the traditional clock expires, allowing the match to continue for a period of "injury time."

[0010] In MMA matches, the referee may pause the clock due to a foul or penalty, or other appropriate event such as equipment malfunction. Without any indication, it may be unclear whether the clock has been paused by the official timekeeper. It is desirable to keep rounds from being significantly delayed, as the physical endurance and safety of the participants are important aspects of MMA competitions. Summary of the Invention

[0011] One object of the present invention is to provide a system for displaying official, adjusted times determined by officials of a sporting event.

[0012] Another objective of this invention is to transmit the adjusted time to other parties in real time.

[0013] In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for controlling a clock device. The system includes: a remote computing device; a clock device in communication with the remote computing device; wherein the remote computing device includes at least one adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a time value and define the adjusted time value; wherein the clock device is configured to receive data corresponding to the adjusted time value; and wherein the clock device is configured to automatically display the adjusted time value.

[0014] In one aspect, the system includes a remote server that communicates with a remote device, the remote server having instructions stored thereon configured to output an API (Application Programming Interface) that includes adjusted time values.

[0015] In one aspect, the remote server is installed within the clock and controls its display.

[0016] In one aspect, the remote server is further configured to output a set of web pages.

[0017] In one aspect, this set of web pages includes adjusted time values, which have various fonts for different uses on different displays.

[0018] In one aspect, the remote server is further configured to output APIs to the cloud server.

[0019] In one respect, the adjusted time value is transmitted via API.

[0020] In one aspect, the clock comprises a frame structure and an LED screen extending around the perimeter of the frame structure.

[0021] In one aspect, the system includes a support structure for the competition area, wherein a clock is positioned near the support structure, and wherein an LED screen extends laterally outward from the support and is visible from the competition area.

[0022] In one aspect, the playing area is defined by multiple wall segments that define an enclosed space, with the wall segments extending upward from a pad surface, and the clock device positioned closer to the pad surface than the upper edge of the wall segment.

[0023] In one aspect, the frame structure includes a top panel supported by a plurality of struts radiating from vertical support rods.

[0024] In one aspect, the frame structure further includes a lower panel spaced apart from the upper panel and a backing structure extending between the upper and lower panels.

[0025] In one respect, the LED screen is supported by a backing structure.

[0026] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for automatically displaying an adjusted time on a clock display. The method includes: adjusting a time value on a remote computing device and defining the adjusted time; transmitting the adjusted time to a clock device having a display screen; receiving data related to the adjusted time at the clock device; and automatically displaying the adjusted time on the display screen.

[0027] In one aspect, the method includes outputting an adjusted time using a network time protocol.

[0028] In one aspect, the method includes an API that outputs data with adjusted time.

[0029] In one aspect, the method includes outputting a set of web pages that display the time in various fonts.

[0030] In one aspect, the method includes outputting the adjusted time to a cloud server.

[0031] In one aspect, the method includes providing authorized users with access to adjusted times via a cloud server.

[0032] In one aspect, the method includes retrieving an adjusted time from a cloud server and broadcasting the adjusted time. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Other aspects of the invention will be readily understood, and will also be better understood, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and by referring to the following detailed description. Wherein:

[0034] Figure 1 It is a plan view of an octagonal competition area, which includes a clock device located near the competition area;

[0035] Figure 2 This is a front view of the competition area and clock device;

[0036] Figure 3 This is a side view of the competition area and clockwork;

[0037] Figure 4 This is a front perspective view of the clock device;

[0038] Figure 5 This is a rear perspective view of the clock mechanism, showing the upper and lower panels and the backing structure extending between them.

[0039] Figure 6 This is a front perspective view of the clock device with the top panel removed, showing the support pillars of the bracket that support the top panel.

[0040] Figure 7 This is a bottom perspective view, showing the lower cover mounted on the lower panel; and

[0041] Figures 8A-8E A schematic diagram shows the LED screen of the clock device mounted on the frame of the clock device and wrapped around the circumference of the frame. Detailed Implementation

[0042] First refer to Figure 1 It shows a timing system 100 for sports competitions (such as MMA competitions in a non-limiting example). Figure 1A competition area 101 is shown, the shape of which can also refer to an octagon 102, and a digital display device 104 disposed near the octagon 102 is further shown. It should be understood that the reference to the octagon 102 can also be applied to other shapes of the competition area 101 that may be used, such as a square commonly used for a boxing ring, or other polygons, and can be further applied to competitions based on non-boxing ring / octagonal shapes, such as football, basketball, hockey, rugby, etc. For further discussion purposes, the octagon 102 and other aspects of the competition area related to MMA competitions will be mentioned.

[0043] In one aspect, the octagon 102 includes a fighting area 106, which is laterally enclosed by a closed loop defined by a plurality of connected wall segments 108. The wall segments 108 may be in the form of an anchor chain ring structure, thereby containing the boxer while allowing spectators to view the boxer positioned within the octagon 102. The wall segments 108 may be coated with vinyl or other coated materials to reduce the likelihood of injury from impacts with the anchor chain rings.

[0044] The octagon 102 may further include a plurality of supports 110 disposed at a plurality of intersections defined between laterally adjacent wall segments 108. Each wall segment 108 may be secured to a support 110 disposed at an opposite lateral end of the wall segment 108. The supports 110 extend substantially vertically from the horizontal pad surface 112 of the playing area 106.

[0045] The pad surface 112 can be positioned at an elevated location relative to the audience area, which substantially surrounds the octagon, thereby defining an outer region 112a of the pad surface 112 located outside the closed loop defined by the wall segment 108 and an inner region 112b located inside the closed loop defined by the wall segment 108. One or more wall segments 108 may include selectively openable doors / panels / panels, allowing individuals to enter / exit the enclosed area of ​​the octagon 102.

[0046] Digital display device 104 can also refer to clock 114. Clock 114 can provide various communication functions, including displaying the remaining time in a round, score, boxer's name, advertisements or sponsorships, etc. For the purposes of discussion, reference to clock 114 shall be understood to include various display functions and should not be construed as limited to timekeeping functions.

[0047] In one aspect, clock 114 can be positioned within the outer region 112a, such that clock 114 is not positioned within the enclosed region 112b defined by wall segment 108. Therefore, during multiple rounds of the match, clock 114 can be kept out of direct contact with the boxer. Clock 114 can be positioned near one of the support 110 and the wall segment 108 intersecting with the support 110. Clock 114 can extend laterally outward relative to the support 110, such that clock 114 is visible on each side of the support 110. In another aspect, clock 114 can extend laterally outward from one side of the support 110. Clock 114 can be symmetrically positioned relative to the support 110, such that clock 114 extends laterally outward from the support 110 by approximately the same distance. In yet another aspect, clock 114 can be offset relative to the support 110.

[0048] In each of the above aspects, clock 114 is at least partially visible through wall segment 108. Therefore, the boxer or participant in octagon 102 can see clock 114 and the information displayed on it, such as the remaining time.

[0049] As mentioned above, clock 114 is located near wall segment 108 and support member 110. Figures 4-6 As shown, in one aspect, clock 114 may have a basic trapezoidal shape with rounded corners. In another aspect, clock 114 may have a substantially convex shape at its outer edge 114a. The inner edge 114b (facing the interior of octagon 102) may be substantially straight. Thus, the convex and straight shapes of the inner and outer edges, along with the rounded corners, can collectively define the overall curved profile of clock 114.

[0050] In one aspect, such as Figure 5 As shown, clock 114 may include a recess 114c substantially disposed in the middle of the inner edge 114b. Recess 114c can be configured and shaped to accommodate the shape of various support structures. The recess can accommodate support structures, etc. Therefore, clock 114 can have a bead shape and can be wound / bent around a support structure.

[0051] By shaping the clock 114 as described above and shown, the curved outer edge 114a improves the view toward the octagon 102 relative to the box shape. Similarly, by rounding the corners of the clock 114, the view toward the octagon 102 can also be improved.

[0052] However, it should be understood that other shapes of the clock 114's outline can also be used according to the user's needs. For example, the shape of the clock 114 can be a rectangle or square with rounded corners, or the shape of the clock 114 can be a triangle with rounded corners. Other shapes can also be used, including asymmetrical shapes. Furthermore, the corners do not have to be rounded.

[0053] As described above, clock 114 can be positioned near support 110. Since support 110 already partially restricts the field of view of the playing area, placing clock 114 near support 110 may be preferable. Therefore, including clock 114 adjacent to the structure of octagon 102 will not substantially impair the field of view of the playing area relative to the existing layout.

[0054] Clock 114 can be located in an elevated position relative to pad 112, such as Figure 2 and 3 As shown. In one aspect, clock 114 may be placed 1-2 feet above mat 112. In another aspect, the top surface of clock 114 may be approximately 20 inches from mat 112, and the vertical thickness of clock 114 may be approximately 4-10 inches. Thus, clock 114 can be placed in a position easily visible to participants (e.g., boxers and referees) without substantially impairing the viewer's vision. Thus, clock 114 may be located above and spaced apart from mat 112, while also being placed below the top of wall segment 108. In one aspect, clock 114 is positioned closer to mat 112 than the top of wall segment 108.

[0055] refer to Figure 4-6 Clock 114 can be supported by a support structure 116 extending below clock 114, wherein support structure 116 is supported by support member 110 and extends substantially vertically. Support structure 116 can be similar to a support structure used for lifting and supporting a cameraman on a platform. In fact, clock 114 can also be used as a platform on which the cameraman can stand. For clarity, Figure 5 The bracket structure 116 is omitted. The bracket structure 116 may include a vertical column 116a and a plurality of beams 116b radiating outward from the column 116a. The beams 116b may have a triangular plate shape and may support the upper panel 117a. The lower panel 117b may be disposed below the upper panel 117a and spaced apart from the upper panel 117a. The backing structure 117c may extend vertically between the upper panel 117a and the lower panel 117b. A plurality of vertical support columns 117d may extend between the upper panel 117a and the lower panel 117b. The panels 117a, 117b, the backing structure 117c, and the vertical support columns 117d may be combined to define an overall frame 118 of the clock 114. The frame 118 may be a metal frame formed into the basic shape of the clock 114.

[0056] The top cover 119a can be positioned above the top panel 117a. The top cover 119a can resemble a platform on which a cameraman can stand to record the game. The clock 114 can further include a lower cover 119b positioned on the lower frame. Figure 7The upper cover 119a can substantially enclose the upper surface of the clock 114. The lower cover 119b can enclose the interior of the clock 114 while allowing air to flow in / out of the clock 114 for ventilation. The panels 117a and 117b may include various openings or access holes for providing access to various wires, cables, etc., or for providing access to electronic components disposed within the clock 114.

[0057] refer to Figures 8A-8E The clock 114 also includes a display screen 120 supported by a frame 118. As described above, the frame 118 may define a substantially rigid shape for the clock 114. The screen 120 may be in the form of a flexible LED screen, such that the screen 120 can be bent and wrapped around the perimeter defined by the frame 118 to define a substantially curved overall shape for both the screen 120 and the clock 114. The LED screen 120 may be mounted on a backing structure 117c that extends vertically between the upper panel 117a and the lower panel 117b of the frame 118.

[0058] Screen 120 can be a continuous LED screen and can be configured via display software to include multiple display areas 121, as shown in Figure 8. The size of the display areas 121 and the type of information displayed are modifiable, and can include a time display area 121a and an identifier display area 121b, which can be positioned at different locations along the curved outer contour of clock 114 as desired by the operator. Therefore, clock 114 can display time and / or identifiers or other text both within and outside the competition area. In one aspect, the area of ​​clock 114 facing octagon 102 includes a pair of time display areas 121a on each side of support 110. Thus, time display areas 121a are visible to the boxer and referee. In one aspect, time display areas 121a can be controlled by HTML webpage source code. Identifier display area 121b can be used to display advertisements or other information and can be positioned on the surface of screen 120 facing away from octagon 102 and towards the viewer. Time display areas 121a can also be positioned on the viewer-facing portion of the screen. The time display area 121a can alternate with the identification display area 121b around the circumference of the clock. It should be understood that various other arrangements of the areas can be used, and additional areas can be included. It should be further understood that the display screen 120 can be controlled so that the display area can be replaced with other displays, such as scrolling displays or other information displays. For example, before a match begins and when the clock is not used for timekeeping, the name of the boxer or sponsor can be displayed across the display screen 120. The graphic display on screen 120 can ultimately be controlled by the clock software, which will be described in further detail below.

[0059] The support frame 118 can also be used as a support stand for cameramen broadcasting the match. Typically, these cameramen stand on the support structure to be able to aim the camera at the top of the wall section 108 and the support 110. Therefore, the clock 114 can be integrated with the support structure / frame 118 and positioned below the cameraman's position. It should be understood that additional clocks 114 can also be positioned in other locations around the boxing ring, even if the cameraman is not positioned there. However, including additional clocks 114 in other locations can provide additional space for the cameraman to position himself. In one aspect, 3-4 camera stands and 3-4 clocks 114 are arranged around the octagon 102. It should be understood that some camera stands can be provided without clocks 114 positioned underneath them.

[0060] As described above, clock 114 and its frame 118 may further prepare for the installation of electronics or other components therein, such as power converters, receiver cards (for receiving LED video data), processors, controllers, etc. In one aspect, the top cover 119a may include ridges or other structures to improve the frictional grip of the cameraman's feet.

[0061] Therefore, the aforementioned clock 114 can be provided as part of system 100 to provide accurate timing and other information to boxers and spectators in a non-intrusive manner. Clock 114 is part of the overall system 100 for monitoring and controlling the remaining time in a round / match / boxing match. Without the clock 114 provided here, boxers would not know how much time is left. Boxers typically have a verbal amount of time passed to them by their ringside assistants, which may be inaccurate or may not be heard due to crowds or other noise. Alternatively, they may scan the arena rafters to see an unofficial clock. Spectators similarly do not know the official clock. They can only see the informal clock on the rafters, which requires their gaze to be off-center. As further described below, clock 114 is configured to display the official time controlled by the official timekeeper, and the official time is conveniently located within the field of vision of both boxers and spectators, around the octagon 102.

[0062] System 100 can be further configured to provide real-time adjustments to the remaining time based on events occurring during the match. For example, during the match, the referee may decide that clock 114 should be paused, for example, to check the condition of an injured boxer or due to a foul, and will signal a pause to the official timekeeper. It should be understood that other aspects of the match may require the referee to adjust the clock. The referee is also unaware of the official time and typically relies on auditory cues from the official timekeeper when 10 seconds remain and at the end of a round. While the official timekeeper may use a traditional stopwatch or similar device for timing, stopwatch information is generally not available to other parties, including the referee, spectators, and boxers.

[0063] Therefore, in one aspect, system 100 may further include remote device 150 (in Figure 1 (Schematably shown within an octagon 102), for example, a remote timing device configured to communicate with a remote server 152, a clock 114, and / or a cloud server 154. The remote device 150 and the remote server 152 may be in the form of computing devices and may include one or more types of communication hardware, including hardwired cables for reliability and security, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth, cellular radio, etc. When positioned close together, the communication connection is preferably hardwired for communication. The remote device 150 and the remote server 152 may also include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions, such as software, stored thereon, configured to receive, process, and transmit data between various connected devices.

[0064] The remote device 150 may include various buttons or other actuating mechanisms for adjusting the remaining time on the clock 114. The buttons or actuating mechanisms may be physical or touchscreen-based. In one aspect, the remote device 150 may be configured to be actuated to pause the clock, add a predetermined amount of time, subtract a predetermined amount of time, and / or may include other timing adjustment mechanisms, such as manual adjustments for setting specific times. The remote device 150 is configured to transmit data regarding any changes in the remaining time during the game to a remote server 152 in real time. In one aspect, the start and stop buttons may be physical buttons as well as touchscreen buttons, and the remaining buttons are touchscreen buttons.

[0065] The remote device 150 may include a start button, a pause button, a stop button, a plus (+) button, and a minus (-) button. To operate the clock 114, the official timekeeper can press the start button. The start button can be set to begin a countdown for a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes). The pause button pauses the countdown. The stop button stops the countdown. When the countdown stops or pauses, the user can adjust the time using the plus and / or minus buttons. If the countdown reaches zero, the clock 114 can undergo a reset process, where after a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 50 seconds), the clock 114 will reset to a predetermined total time (e.g., 5 minutes) for the next countdown. During the match, the referee in charge of the match can signal to the official timekeeper to start, pause, or stop the countdown, which is controlled by the remote device 150. Referees typically do not have their own method of tracking time. In some cases, when the referee stops the match but the timekeeper delays in executing the stop, the official time will be based on what the timekeeper did. The timekeeper can correct this error by adding or subtracting time as appropriate.

[0066] In one respect, clock 114 does not include preparation for external users to adjust the predetermined time on clock 114; therefore, clock 114 may not have directly accessible user settings. Instead, clock 114 can be limited to displaying whether it is connected and what its IP address is.

[0067] Remote server 152 is configured to receive timing data from remote device 150 in real time and is further configured to update the official time displayed on clock 114. Remote server 152 may be positioned close to remote device 150, for example, near octagon 102. Remote server 152 may be further configured to communicate with cloud server 154 directly or through other intermediate servers. Alternatively, remote server 152 may itself be a cloud-based server, or remote server 152 may be part of clock 114. In one aspect, clients on the same network can access web pages hosted by clock 114, which acts as remote server 152; clock device 114 may further be a device that outputs an API accessible to clients on the same network. Furthermore, clock 114 may push the various data described above to cloud server 154.

[0068] Clock software can be developed using JavaScript, NodeJS, and open-source programming languages ​​and frameworks. Clock hardware can be consumer-grade hardware such as a Raspberry Pi, touchscreen, cables, and buttons. The remote device 150 can also be similar consumer-grade hardware capable of transmitting data and running various aspects of the clock software.

[0069] Upon startup, the clock hardware will launch clock software on one or more of the aforementioned devices. The clock software can be configured to continuously check the network and display its connection status. While locating the network, clock 114 acquires and displays its IP address. Clock 114 can then synchronize its time to the network using the "Network Time Protocol" included in standard Linux distributions.

[0070] Clock software can include several output formats. One output format is an API, which users can access over a network to obtain the clock state and millisecond timestamps of associated actions. Another output is a set of web pages that display the time in various fonts and sizes for different purposes, such as for end users, broadcast graphics, and clock displays like LED displays 120. Yet another output is an API pushed to a cloud system that maintains the field scoring product and updates the clock's actions. In one example, this API is a REST (Representational State Transfer) API, but other protocols can also be used.

[0071] The client devices used for the above output can be synchronized via a network time protocol, and the client devices can calculate their own countdowns based on the timestamps provided by the clock software. The network time protocol has very small drift (e.g., 0.00 to 0.09 seconds), so multiple units on the same network can display the time accurately. If the official clock / time / countdown changes in response to adjustments made at remote device 150, the network time protocol will synchronize the time on other client devices, including remote server 152 / clock 114.

[0072] Once Clock 114 is online, its API and web page outputs become available at its IP address, which is not shared with any third party except those requiring the timing information. Therefore, access to the API and web page may be restricted to authorized users.

[0073] In one aspect, clock 114 may include controller 156 communicating with one or more of remote device 150, remote server 152, and / or cloud server 154. Clock 114 is configured to receive data from remote device 150, remote server 152, and / or cloud server 154, particularly data regarding the remaining time in a match, modified, adjusted, and transmitted by remote device 150. Clock 114 is further configured to display the accurate remaining time in response to adjustments performed at remote device 150. In one aspect, clock 114 receives a signal from remote device 150 including time data with official time, and clock software running on clock 114 outputs the time data to the cloud and / or other client devices.

[0074] In addition to real-time clock updates 114, in response to adjustments made at remote device 150, remote server 152 or cloud server 154 can be configured to be accessible to third parties. For example, broadcasting devices or similar entities displaying the match at remote locations, such as televisions, computers, telephones, tablets, etc., can receive accurate timing data in real time, and the broadcasting device's time display can be automatically updated. Similarly, websites or other statistical tracking systems can display the actual remaining time in addition to match statistics. On another front, live-betting entities can receive the accurate remaining time in real time.

[0075] The publication of accurate time specified by remote device 150 can be achieved by using an API or similar data format, enabling various third-party entities to receive and display the same data.

[0076] In one aspect, remote device 150, remote server 152, cloud server 154, and clock 114 can communicate with each other directly and indirectly. In other words, data from remote device 150 can be routed through one of these devices and received at another downstream device, or data from remote device 150 can be directly transmitted to a device within direct communication range. Preferably, remote server 152 is part of clock 114, and clock 114 performs time data processing.

[0077] In another aspect, an event operator or other authorized user can access system 100 and modify time or other data related to the event. In this approach, a second remote device 160 can communicate with a remote server 152. The second remote device 160 may include controls similar to those of remote device 150 and may further include additional controls for transmitting data to the remote server 152, cloud server 154, or clock 114. For example, the second remote device 160 may provide data or instructions for displaying text, logos, statistics, or other desirable information for display on clock 114.

[0078] It should be understood that various other combinations of hardware and software can be used to receive and display accurate time on clock 114 and display 120. In one aspect, clock 114 includes controller 156, which can be a computer capable of synchronizing to a Network Time Protocol (NTP). An example is an Apple / MacOS computer, as MacOS is based on UNIX. However, other computers capable of synchronizing to NTP can also be used. Furthermore, software that opens a web page output displaying the aforementioned live time can be used. In one aspect, this software is web browser software. Additional software may include software configured to generate and update graphical output, the size of which is set to the pixel size of LED display 120. Such software can be third-party software, such as Resolume. However, other similar types of graphical display software can also be used. In one aspect, an HDMI output is included and configured to display formatted video output from Resolume software. An LED driver may also be included. The LED driver can be provided by an LED supplier who uses it to properly format the signal for display 120. Backups may also be provided for each of these units.

[0079] Therefore, given the above, the time related to the match can be directly updated by the official timekeeper and transmitted to multiple parties, and displayed on clock 114, thereby allowing referees, boxers, spectators, broadcasters, video viewers, and other relevant parties to view the official accurate time modified by the official timekeeper via remote device 150 in real time.

[0080] In one respect, the ability to transmit and display official, accurate times may allow officials to correctly determine whether a strike is in place during a round or after time has expired. In certain situations, instant replay is permitted for this assessment. However, even if instant replay is allowed, officials have relied on carefully listening for the horn signaling the end of the round. Using the disclosed system 100, official times can be displayed in video, which is used in replays.

[0081] Clearly, based on the foregoing teachings, many modifications and variations of the invention are possible, and it may be practiced in ways other than those specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. These prior statements should be construed as covering any combination in which the inventive novelty exerts its utility.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a clock device, the system comprising: Remote computing device; A clock device that communicates with the remote computing device; The clock device includes a frame structure and an LED screen extending around the perimeter of the frame structure. The system also includes a support structure for the competition area, wherein a clock device is located near the support structure, and wherein an LED screen extends laterally outward from the support and is visible from the competition area; The competition area is defined by a plurality of wall segments that define an enclosed space, wherein the wall segments extend upward from a pad surface, and the clock device is positioned closer to the pad surface than the upper edge of the wall segment; supports are provided at a plurality of intersections that are defined between laterally adjacent wall segments. The remote computing device includes at least one adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a time value and limit the adjusted time value; The clock device is configured to receive data corresponding to the adjusted time value; and The clock device is configured to automatically display the adjusted time value; The clockwork serves as a platform upon which the cameraman can stand; the clockwork is supported by a support structure extending below the clock, wherein the support structure is supported by a support member and extends substantially vertically.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system includes a remote server that communicates with remote devices, the remote server having instructions stored thereon configured to output an API including the adjusted time value.

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The remote server is installed inside the clock device and controls the clock device's display.

4. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The remote server is further configured to output a set of web pages; this set of web pages includes the adjusted time value, which has various fonts for different purposes on different displays.

5. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The remote server is further configured to output APIs to the cloud server.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjusted time value is transmitted via API.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame structure includes a top panel supported by a plurality of pillars radiating from vertical support rods.

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The frame structure further includes a lower panel spaced apart from the upper panel and a backing structure extending between the upper panel and the lower panel.

9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The LED screen is supported by the backing structure.

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