Electronic scoring system for martial arts

Abstract

This application describes an electronic scoring system, especially designed for combat sports, which allows judges to automatically and consistently record scoring parameters throughout a fight and its various rounds. To enable this, the judges' evaluations are captured periodically during the fight using scoring devices and transmitted to a central control unit, which is responsible for all processing that is the basis for determining the final winner of the fight.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of combat sports. In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic scoring system for combat sports.

Background Art

[0002] Combat sports are combat contact sports in which two competitors fight each other. Examples of combat sports include various styles such as boxing, for example kickboxing, judo, taekwondo, jujutsu, mixed martial arts (MMA), and the like.

[0003] The combat is divided into rounds and is conducted according to the contact rules defined for each modality. The judges are responsible for evaluating the performance of the two competitors and awarding victory to the one who has obtained more points throughout the combat round. The final score reflects the sum of the intermediate evaluations of each competitor's performance during the combat, and the record is currently made by analog devices such as manual counters, or in more archaic ways, by registering the score in a notebook or simply relying on the judge's memory.

[0004] Furthermore, in many ways, the combat is judged by multiple judges. Therefore, in order to determine the winner, it is necessary to finally synchronize the records made by each judge throughout the combat.

[0005] Current solutions do not provide a rational and / or consistent method in the evaluation of combat, and the awarding and transmission of results rely on the filling of forms by each judge and physical assessment in paper form. Therefore, there is no automatic and reliable method for collecting this data, and these evaluations are often difficult to justify because they are based on each judge's memory. In addition to this, the entire process of aggregating the evaluations of each judge is susceptible to human errors on the central desk side and is a time-consuming and unreliable process.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention aims to solve problems identified in cutting-edge technology by developing a method for automatically and consistently recording judges' evaluations throughout a fight. Furthermore, a management and recording platform is proposed for systematically storing and making available for reference past evaluations made by each judge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention relates to an electronic scoring system for martial arts that automates the collection of scores given by each judge during a fight. Furthermore, since the score records can be referenced in real time, it contributes to the consistency of scoring throughout the fight.

[0008] The proposed system is intended to ensure consistency in judges' scoring, regardless of their training, because all judges use specific equipment for this purpose, thereby imposing the same parameters and criteria on everyone.

[0009] To achieve this objective, the electronic scoring system developed for martial arts is: - At least one scoring device adapted to record the scoring parameters of a fight, the device comprising: an input module adapted to receive input parameters; 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, - A central control unit adapted to monitor at least one fight scoring parameter, comprising a processing module and a communication module adapted to connect to at least one scoring device, It is equipped with.

[0010] More specifically, the proposed system is characterized in that a scoring device is configured to transmit at least one scoring parameter to a central control unit; and a 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.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the developed system comprises a plurality of central control units, each central control unit having a group of scoring devices associated with it. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This diagram schematically illustrates one embodiment of a developed electronic scoring system for martial arts, where the reference numerals mean: 1 - scoring device; 2 - central control unit; 3 - information management platform. [Figure 2] This is a diagram of the evaluation graphical interface provided by the developed fighting round evaluation system, where the reference symbols mean: 4 - Evaluation graphical interface; 5 - Symmetrical half referring to each competitor; 6 - Evaluation level. [Figure 3] This is a diagram of the graphical interface for evaluation provided by the developed fighting round evaluation system, where the reference symbols mean: 7 - scoring parameters throughout the round; 8 - percentage distribution of scores by the judges; 9 - percentage distribution of scores given by the judges for each competitor at each evaluation level. [Figure 4] This is a diagram of the graphical evaluation interface provided by the developed fighting round evaluation system, where the reference symbols mean: 7 - scoring parameters throughout rounds; 10 - final score for round 10. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Detailed description of the invention The most common advantageous configurations of the present invention are described in the summary of the invention. These configurations are described in detail below according to other advantageous and / or preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0014] The present invention aims to provide a system that enables judges to automatically and consistently record scoring parameters throughout a fight and its various rounds. To enable this, the judges' evaluations are periodically captured throughout the fight with the help of a scoring device and transmitted to a central control unit responsible for all processing that forms the basis for determining the final winner.

[0015] In a preferred configuration of the present invention, the system comprises two or more scoring devices. In this particular embodiment, the proposed system can also be used for fighting styles that require the presence of multiple judges.

[0016] In another preferred configuration, each scoring device has a unique identification code that identifies the device itself to the central control unit. In fact, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the processing module of the central control unit is configured to associate with a scoring device by its respective identification code depending on the fight. In this way, the central control unit is configured to monitor multiple fights, whether they occur simultaneously or not, and to calculate the final score for each fight according to the scoring parameters registered by the respective scoring device associated with it. Alternatively, the system may comprise multiple central control units, each of which can monitor fights or sets of fights that may occur simultaneously at different geographical locations. Within this scope, in a preferred embodiment of the system, the latter is implemented via a wireless communication network, and all elements of the system are connected to each other by a wireless communication protocol.

[0017] In another preferred configuration, the processing module of the central control unit is configured to enable and disable the operation of the scoring devices. This allows the central control unit to execute an authentication protocol for the scoring devices (and their judges), ensuring that only authorized devices transmit scoring parameters. Thus, unauthorized devices cannot influence the central control unit's determination of the final score for a given fight.

[0018] In another preferred configuration, communication between at least one scoring device and a central control unit for transmitting scoring parameters is encrypted by a composite key algorithm using an encryption method such as RSA. In this context, the processing module of the scoring device is programmed to generate a file with the extension .MAP for compressing at least one scoring parameter. The file contains multiple fields of variable size, each field separated by at least one predefined special character. This aspect is particularly important in fights judged by multiple judges, such as three judges in an MMA fight, and therefore requires precise synchronization between the scoring device and the central control unit.

[0019] In another preferred configuration, the input module of the scoring device is equipped with a touchscreen. In particular, the input module of the scoring device is further configured to implement an evaluation graphical interface. The evaluation graphical interface is divided into two symmetrical halves, each designed to display a scoring graphical environment representing the athlete. Thus, the scoring graphical environment has two measurement axes: - The level of impact one athlete has on the other athlete; - Duration of the fight, It is equipped with.

[0020] Furthermore, each of the symmetric halves of the scoring graphical environment can have a plurality of evaluation levels, thereby providing more detailed information when inputting input parameters that are later converted into scoring parameters. In this particular case, the input parameters correspond to the coordinates of the scoring graphical environment, and the processing module of the scoring device is configured to convert the coordinates of the scoring graphical environment into evaluation parameters.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises an information management platform provided via a communication network system.

[0022] The platform is operably connected to a central control unit and comprises a score database, and the central control unit stores the scoring parameters and the final score of the fight. In the case of a system comprising a plurality of central control units, each central control unit is connected to the information management platform. In this way, the scores related to the fight are stored in a structured manner, for example, according to the judge who gave the score. Furthermore, the system includes an artificial intelligence module such as machine learning configured to execute a prediction method for the analysis of the scores stored in the score database. To utilize such information, the platform further comprises a user interface adapted to provide access to the score database and the artificial intelligence module.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the system further comprises a fight simulation module. This module includes processing means adapted to emulate a virtual fight and is configured to receive scoring parameters related to the virtual fight issued through the user interface. Thus, this platform enables judge training, and the scores collected in the virtual environment can also be used by the artificial intelligence module to provide feedback to the judge regarding training.

[0024] Finally, in an alternative embodiment of the system, the scoring device is a mobile processing device, preferably a smartphone.

[0025] In a specific embodiment of the developed system, the scoring device is a smartphone equipped with a touchscreen-type input module, and the graphical interface configuration allows input parameters to be registered by referencing the judge's evaluation for each competitor. The graphical interface available from the judge's smartphone touchscreen is configured to display a vertical graph divided into two symmetrical halves representing each competitor, with each half divided into multiple columns representing the judge's evaluation level associated with each competitor. That is, the graph representation includes two measurement axes: an X-axis that measures the level of impact each competitor has on their opponent, and a Y-axis that measures the time elapsed during one round of fighting. In this context, the judge continuously records the coordinates of their evaluation by entering the evaluation with their finger on the smartphone touchscreen. This allows for the creation of a graph for each round in progress of the fight, and the score given to the judge can be displayed instantly and objectively.

[0026] These data are sent to the central control unit as files with the extension .MAP in a specially developed format, with each variable-size field separated by one or more specially predefined characters. This ensures that the data structure is always the same, minimizes the margin of error, and properly encrypts the transmitted data in a format recognizable only by system elements. For this purpose, scoring parameters sent from the judges' smartphones are encrypted using RSA encryption with a decryption key. This process ensures that the central control unit is authorized to receive information only from officially identified smartphones. This encryption key is changed for each fight.

[0027] The scores provided by the judges, shared with their respective X and Y coordinates and properly formatted, allow the central control unit to evaluate each fight, display the results for each judge, and inform the public in real time who the winner of the fight was.

[0028] Since the start, pause, and end of each fight are defined and directed by a central control unit, each judge's smartphone must be properly synchronized and connected in real time. In other words, the smartphone will only begin evaluating when the central control unit issues its command.

[0029] The connection between the smartphone and the central control unit can be established using various wireless communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi, NSD - Network Services Discovery (Android) and / or Bonjour (iOS), or Bluetooth.

[0030] This system also includes an information management platform that stores not only all information captured on smartphones, but also historical information such as all fights, rounds, judges, fighters, and federations, and makes it accessible through the user interface. In particular, the platform can be configured to send asynchronous notifications to a real-time web application.

[0031] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described herein, and many modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.

[0032] Of course, the preferred embodiments described above can be combined in various possible forms, and the repetition of such combinations is avoided in this specification.

Claims

1. An electronic scoring system for martial arts, - At least one scoring device adapted to record the scoring parameters of a fight, the scoring device comprising: an input module adapted to receive input parameters; 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, - A central control unit adapted to monitor at least one fight scoring parameter, comprising a processing module and a communication module adapted to provide connection to at least one scoring device, Equipped with, The at least one scoring device is configured to transmit at least one scoring parameter to the central control unit; The processing module of the central control unit is programmed to process at least one scoring parameter and calculate a final score from at least one fight. The input module of the scoring device is equipped with a touchscreen, The input module of the scoring device is further configured to implement an evaluation graphical interface; the evaluation graphical interface is divided into two symmetrical halves, each half designed to display a scoring graphical environment representing a competitor; the scoring graphical environment has two measurement axes: - The level of impact one athlete has on the other athlete; - The duration of the aforementioned fight and, A system characterized by the following features.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized by comprising two or more scoring devices.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each scoring device has a unique identification code.

4. The processing module of the central control unit is configured to associate with the scoring device according to the respective identification code in response to the fight; The system according to claim 3, characterized in that the central control unit is adapted to monitor multiple fights and is configured to calculate the final score for each fight using scoring parameters recorded by each associated scoring device.

5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that the system comprises a plurality of central control units.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the processing module of the central control unit is configured to enable and disable the operation of the scoring device.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the scoring device is configured to periodically transmit scoring parameters to a central control unit.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that communication between at least one scoring device and a central control unit for transmitting scoring parameters is encrypted by a composite key algorithm.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the processing module of the scoring device is further programmed to generate a file with the extension .MAP for compressing at least one scoring parameter; the file is composed of a plurality of fields of variable size, each field being delimited by at least one predefined special character.

10. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that each symmetrical half of the scoring graphical environment comprises multiple evaluation levels.

11. The system according to claim 1 or 10, characterized in that the input parameters correspond to the coordinates of the scoring graphical environment, and the processing module of the scoring device is configured to convert the coordinates of the scoring graphical environment into evaluation parameters.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising an information management platform provided through a communication network system; the information management platform being operably connected to a central control unit.

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

14. The system according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising an artificial intelligence module configured to perform a prediction method for analyzing scores stored in a score database.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the information management platform further comprises a user interface adapted to provide access to a score database and the artificial intelligence module.

16. The system according to claim 15, further comprising a combat simulation module; the combat simulation module includes processing means adapted to emulate a virtual combat and is configured to receive scoring parameters related to the virtual combat issued through the user interface.

17. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the scoring device is a mobile processing device.

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