Electronic scoring system for combat sports

Abstract

An electronic scoring system designed especially for combat sports is described. The system allows the referee to automatically and consistently record scoring parameters throughout the combat and its rounds. To make this possible, the referee's assessments are periodically captured using a scoring device during the combat and are sent to a central control unit, which is responsible for all the underlying processing that decides the final winner of the combat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of combat sports. In particular, this invention relates to an electronic scoring system for combat sports. Background Technology

[0002] Combat sports are competitive contact sports in which two competitors fight each other. Examples of combat sports are boxing, which includes different styles such as taekwondo, judo, taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or mixed martial arts (MMA).

[0003] The fight is divided into several rounds and is conducted according to contact rules defined for each mode. The referee is responsible for evaluating the performance of the two competitors and awarding the victory to the competitor with the most points throughout the rounds. The final score reflects the sum of intermediate evaluations of each competitor's performance during the fight, and it is currently recorded using analog devices such as manual counters, or in a more ancient way, by recording scores in a notebook or simply relying on the referee's memory skills.

[0004] Furthermore, in many cases, the fight is judged by more than one referee. This requires final synchronization between the records made by each referee throughout the fight in order to determine who the winner is.

[0005] Current solutions do not provide any consistent methodology and / or consistency in combat assessments, and the determination and transmission of results rely on each referee completing a physical survey in both tabular and written form. Therefore, there is no automated and reliable method for collecting this data, and these assessments are often difficult to justify because they are based on each referee's memory. Furthermore, the entire process of merging each referee's assessments is slow and unreliable, susceptible to human error from the central service desk.

[0006] This invention aims to address the problems existing in the prior art by developing an automated and consistent method for recording referee assessments throughout the fight. Furthermore, it proposes establishing a platform for managing and maintaining these records, with the goal of systematically storing each referee's past assessments for easy review. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention relates to an electronic scoring system for combat sports, which automatically collects the scores awarded by each referee during the fight. Furthermore, the system facilitates consistency in scoring throughout the fight because it allows for real-time access to recorded scores.

[0008] The proposed system aims to ensure that the scoring made by referees is consistent, regardless of whether they are trained, because all referees will now use a specific device that applies the same parameters and metrics to all referees.

[0009] Therefore, the electronic scoring system developed for combat sports includes:

[0010] - At least one scoring device adapted to record scoring parameters of the fight. The device includes an input module adapted to allow input parameters to be input; a processing module programmed to convert at least one input parameter into scoring parameters; and a communication module adapted to provide a connection to a central control unit.

[0011] - A central control unit suitable for monitoring the scoring parameters of at least one combat fight, including a processing module and a communication module suitable for providing connection to at least one scoring device.

[0012] More specifically, the proposed system is characterized in that the scoring device is configured to transmit at least one scoring parameter to the central control unit; and the proposed system is characterized in that the processing module of the central control unit is programmed to process at least one scoring parameter and determine the final score of at least one fight.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the developed system includes multiple central control units, each of which has a set of scoring devices associated with it. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 - A schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electronic scoring system developed for combat sports, wherein reference numerals denote:

[0015] 1-Scoring equipment;

[0016] 2-Central control unit;

[0017] 3-Information Management Platform.

[0018] Figure 2 - The evaluation graphical interface is provided by a system developed for evaluating a qualified bucket, wherein the reference numerals indicate:

[0019] 4-Evaluate the graphical interface;

[0020] 5 – Represents the symmetrical half of each competitor;

[0021] 6-Assessment level.

[0022] Figure 3 - The evaluation graphical interface is provided by a system developed for evaluating a qualified bucket, wherein the reference numerals indicate:

[0023] 7 - Scoring parameters for the entire round;

[0024] 8. Percentage distribution of scores given by the referee.

[0025] 9. Percentage distribution of scores given by judges for each competitor at each evaluation level.

[0026] Figure 4 - The evaluation graphical interface is provided by a system developed for evaluating a qualified bucket, wherein the reference numerals indicate:

[0027] 7 - Scoring parameters for the entire round;

[0028] 10 - Final score for this round. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The most general advantageous configuration of the invention is described in the summary of the invention. Other advantageous and / or preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below.

[0030] The present invention aims to provide a system that enables referees to automatically and consistently record scoring parameters throughout the entire fight and its rounds. To do this, the referee's assessment is periodically captured during the fight using a scoring device and sent to a central control unit, which is responsible for all the basic processing to determine the final winner.

[0031] In a preferred configuration of the invention, the system includes two or more scoring devices. In this particular aspect, the proposed system is also applicable to combat modes requiring the presence of more than one referee.

[0032] In another preferred configuration, each scoring device has a unique identification code, which the device uses to identify itself to the central control unit. In fact, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the processing module of the central control unit is configured to associate the scoring devices with each fight based on the corresponding identification code. In this way, the central control unit can monitor multiple fights, whether or not they occur simultaneously, and is configured to calculate the final score for each fight based on scoring parameters recorded by the corresponding scoring device associated with it. Alternatively, the system may include multiple central control units, each monitoring one fight or a group of fights that may occur simultaneously in different geographical locations.

[0033] Within this scope, in a preferred embodiment of the system, the latter case is implemented via a wireless communication network, where all components of the system are interconnected via a wireless communication protocol.

[0034] In another preferred configuration, the processing module of the central control unit is configured to enable and disable the operation of the scoring devices. Therefore, the central control unit executes an authentication protocol for the scoring devices (and their referees), allowing only authorized devices to transmit scoring parameters. Thus, unauthorized devices will not affect the central control unit's determination of the final score for a given fight.

[0035] In another preferred configuration, communication between at least one scoring device and the central control unit for transmitting scoring parameters is encrypted using a composite key algorithm employing an encryption method such as, for example, RSA. In this case, the processing module of the scoring device is additionally programmed to generate a .MAP file extension for compressing at least one scoring parameter. The file comprises multiple variable-size fields, each separated by at least one predefined special character. This is particularly important in fights judged by more than one referee (e.g., three referees in MMA), thus requiring proper synchronization between the scoring device and the central control unit.

[0036] In another preferred configuration, the input module of the scoring device includes a touchscreen. Specifically, the input module of the scoring device is further configured to implement an evaluation graphical interface. This evaluation graphical interface is designed to display a graphical scoring environment divided into two symmetrical halves, each half representing a competitor. For this purpose, the graphical scoring environment includes two measurement axes:

[0037] - The level of impact one competitor has on another; and

[0038] - The duration of the fight.

[0039] Furthermore, each symmetrical half of the graphical scoring environment can include multiple evaluation levels to provide more detail when inputting input parameters, which are then converted into scoring parameters. In this particular case, the input parameters correspond to the coordinates of the graphical scoring environment, and the processing module of the scoring device is configured to convert the coordinates of the graphical scoring environment into evaluation parameters.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the system includes an information management platform provided via a communication network system.

[0041] The platform is operatively connected to a central control unit and includes a score database, wherein the central control unit stores scoring parameters and the final score of the fight. In cases where the system includes multiple central control units, each of these units is connected to an information management platform. In this way, scores regarding the fight are stored in a structured manner, for example, according to the judges who determined the scores. Furthermore, the system includes an artificial intelligence module, such as machine learning, configured to perform predictive methods to analyze the scores stored in the score database. To make this information available, the platform further includes a user interface adapted to provide access to the score database and the artificial intelligence module.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment, the system further includes a combat simulation module. This module includes processing equipment suitable for simulating virtual combat and is configured to receive scoring parameters related to the virtual combat published via a user interface. Therefore, the platform allows for the training of referees, and scores collected in the virtual environment can also be used by an artificial intelligence module to provide feedback to referees regarding their training.

[0043] Finally, in an alternative embodiment of the system, the scoring device is a mobile processing device, preferably a smartphone.

[0044] Example

[0045] In a specific embodiment of the developed system, the scoring device is a smartphone including a touchscreen input module, wherein the graphical interface is configured to allow input parameters to be registered based on the judge's assessment of the respective competitors. The graphical interface, accessible from the judge's smartphone touchscreen, is configured to display a vertical graph divided into two symmetrical halves, representing each competitor, wherein the two halves are further divided into multiple columns representing the judge's assessment level of each competitor. That is, the graphical representation includes two measurement axes: the X-axis measures the impact level of each competitor against their opponent, and the vertical axis (Y) measures the time elapsed during a round of combat. In this configuration, the judge inputs their assessment with their finger on the smartphone touchscreen, thereby continuously recording the coordinates of their assessment. This allows for the creation of graphs for each round of combat during the fight, providing the judge with an immediate and objective display of their score.

[0046] This data is transmitted to the central control unit in the form of .MAP extended files with a specially developed format, where each variable-sized field is separated by one or more special predefined characters. This ensures that the data structure is always consistent, minimizes error boundaries, and ensures that the transmitted data is properly encrypted in a format recognizable only by system components. For this purpose, scoring parameters transmitted by the referee's smartphone are encrypted using a composite key employing RSA encryption. This process ensures that the central control unit is only authorized to receive information from appropriately identified smartphones. This encryption key varies depending on the combat scenario.

[0047] The shared and properly formatted data with corresponding X and Y coordinates, along with the scores given by the referees, allows the central control unit to evaluate the corresponding fights, display the results of each referee, and know in real time who the winner of the fight is.

[0048] The start, pause, and end of each fight are defined and instructed by the central control unit, thus requiring each referee's smartphone to be correctly synchronized and connected to it in real time. In other words, the smartphone will only begin evaluation when instructed by the central processor.

[0049] The connection between the smartphone and the central control unit can use various wireless communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi, NSD network service discovery (Android) and / or Bonjour (iOS), or Bluetooth.

[0050] The system also includes an information management platform that stores not only all information captured by the smartphone, but also historical information on all fights, rounds, referees, athletes, federations, etc., all of which can be stored and accessed through a user interface. In particular, the platform can be configured to send asynchronous notifications to real-time web applications.

[0051] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described herein, wherein many modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.

[0052] Of course, the above preferred embodiments can be combined in different possible forms, and this document avoids repeating all of these combinations.

Claims

1. An electronic scoring system for combat sports, the electronic scoring system comprising: - At least one scoring device suitable for recording scoring parameters of a fight, the at least one scoring device comprising: an input module suitable for inputting input parameters; a processing module programmed to convert at least one input parameter into scoring parameters; and a communication module suitable for providing a connection to a central control unit; - A central control unit suitable for monitoring scoring parameters of at least one combat fight, the central control unit including a processing module and a communication module suitable for providing connection to at least one scoring device; in, At least one scoring device is configured to transmit at least one scoring parameter to the central control unit; and The processing module of the central control unit is programmed to process at least one scoring parameter and calculate the final score of at least one fight. The system is characterized by: Each scoring device has a unique identification code, which the scoring device uses to identify itself to the central control unit. The processing module of the central control unit is configured to: The scoring device is associated with the corresponding identification code of the combat scoring device; Enabling the scoring device authorizes the scoring device to transmit scoring parameters, and disabling the scoring device prevents the scoring device from transmitting scoring parameters. Multiple fights are monitored and the system is configured to calculate the final score for each fight based on the scoring parameters recorded by the corresponding scoring device associated with the central control unit.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system includes two or more scoring devices.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system includes multiple central control units.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The scoring equipment is configured to periodically transmit scoring parameters to the central control unit.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The communication between the at least one scoring device and the central control unit used to transmit scoring parameters is encrypted using a composite key algorithm employing encryption methods.

6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The encryption method includes an RSA-type encryption method.

7. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The scoring device's processing module is also programmed to generate a .MAP file extension for compressing at least one scoring parameter; the file consists of multiple variable-size fields, each separated by at least one predefined special character.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The scoring device's input module includes a touchscreen.

9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The input module of the scoring device is further configured to implement an evaluation graphical interface; the evaluation graphical interface is designed to display a graphical scoring environment divided into two symmetrical halves, each half representing a competitor; the graphical scoring environment includes two measurement axes: - The impact level of one competitor on another; and - The duration of the fight.

10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that, Each symmetrical half of the graphical scoring environment includes multiple evaluation levels.

11. The system according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that, The input parameters correspond to the coordinates of the graphics scoring environment, and are characterized in that, The processing module of the scoring device is configured to convert the coordinates of the graphic scoring environment into evaluation parameters.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The system also includes an information management platform provided through a communication network system; The platform is operatively connected to the central control unit.

13. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that, The information management platform includes a score database; and is characterized in that... The central control unit is adapted to store the scoring parameters and final score of the fight in the score database.

14. The system according to claim 13, characterized in that, The system further includes an artificial intelligence module configured to perform prediction methods to analyze scores stored in the score database.

15. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that, The platform further includes a user interface adapted to provide access to the score database and the artificial intelligence module.

16. The system according to claim 15, characterized in that, The system further includes a combat simulation module; the module includes processing means adapted to simulate virtual combat and is configured to receive scoring parameters related to the virtual combat published via the user interface.

17. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The scoring device is a mobile processing device.

18. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The scoring device includes a smartphone.

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