Activity Timing and Scoring via Precision Time Protocol
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scoreboard controller systems lack precision and integration with other critical systems, leading to uncoordinated concurrent data distribution and incorrect timing across multiple events.
Innovation Solution
A tightly synchronized data structure using Precision Time Protocol (PTP) and other time correction algorithms to ensure accurate and concurrent collection and distribution of scoring and timing data, correlating game times with a global time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional scoreboard controller systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but timing precision and system integration deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized timing server acts as an intermediary between multiple scoreboard controllers and external systems. The server distributes synchronized time signals using the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) to ensure all components operate with consistent timing references, resolving the timing precision issue without requiring each controller to have its own complex timing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing server provides multiple functions including time synchronization via PTP, coordination of concurrent data distribution across events, and integration with external systems such as cloud repositories and sports betting platforms. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single system while improving timing precision across all applications.
2Ease of operation
If cloud-based or tablet-based controllers are used, then interface flexibility is improved, but concurrent data distribution coordination and timing accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The timing server continuously receives time synchronization requests from multiple scoreboard controllers and adjusts time distributions based on feedback about network conditions and clock offsets. This feedback mechanism ensures that concurrent data distribution remains coordinated and accurate even as interface flexibility allows diverse control methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing server mediates between flexible cloud-based or tablet-based controllers and the requirements for coordinated concurrent data distribution. By centralizing time synchronization and coordination logic, the system maintains reliability while allowing operators to use flexible interfaces for controlling scoreboard displays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent timing systems are used, then system autonomy is maintained, but timing synchronization and global time correlation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple independent timing systems are merged into a unified synchronized timing network through the timing server. The server combines time signals from various sources and distributes synchronized time to all systems, maintaining their operational autonomy while ensuring timing synchronization and global time correlation across all events.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing server creates an equipotential timing environment where all scoreboard controllers and external systems operate with equal access to synchronized time references. This eliminates timing drift and synchronization issues while allowing each system to maintain its autonomous operation based on the unified time standard.
Data Source
AI summary
An activity timing and scoring system disclosed herein is based on a tightly timed/synchronized data structure that allows for concurrent and accurate collection and distribution of scoring and timing data. The techniques described herein use a precision clock communicated to participating end points using the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) and/or other known or unique time correction algorithms to make one or more system clocks more uniform and to relate one or more game times with a global time.