Multi-device Scorekeeping via Wireless Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scorekeeping methods for athletic games are prone to errors and distractions, particularly in multi-player games, where determining and handling score discrepancies can be complex and time-consuming, often isolating players and hindering the game's progress.
Innovation Solution
A system of electronic devices that communicate with each other to accurately and collectively track game scores, allowing real-time updates and adjustments based on inputs from multiple users, with a central server or device determining score changes and ensuring consistency across all connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If players keep score mentally or on paper, then scorekeeping can be done without additional devices, but errors increase and players become distracted from the game
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual scorekeeping methods (mental calculation, paper pencils) with an electronic system using mobile devices and wireless communications. The system automatically tracks score changes through player inputs and communicates updates to all players, eliminating human error and distraction while maintaining real-time accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables players to self-report score changes through their mobile devices without requiring a dedicated scorekeeper. Each player can input score changes, and the system automatically processes and distributes updates, allowing players to focus on the game while maintaining accurate score tracking.
2Ease of operation
If one player keeps score, then score tracking is simplified, but disagreements about points cannot be resolved and score discrepancies are not detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback by communicating score changes to all players simultaneously. When one player reports a score change, the system broadcasts this information to all other players, allowing immediate verification and resolution of any disagreements. This feedback mechanism ensures all players are aware of score discrepancies and can resolve them quickly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the scorekeeping function across all player devices into a single synchronized system. All players' devices display the same updated score, combining individual tracking into a unified scorestate that is consistently maintained across the entire player group, eliminating discrepancies.
3Adaptability or versatility
If verbal scorekeeping is used, then players can communicate score changes, but discussions slow game progress and errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces verbal communication with electronic digital communications through mobile devices. Score changes are transmitted instantly via wireless signals to all players' devices, eliminating the time-consuming nature of verbal discussions while maintaining the flexibility of player-initiated score reporting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous score tracking and communication throughout the game without interruption. Score updates are transmitted immediately upon input, ensuring the scorestate is always current and eliminating pauses for verbal verification that would slow game progress.
Data Source
AI summary
Electronic devices can facilitate collective and accurate scorekeeping. A first electronic mobile device can communicate (directly or indirectly) with a second electronic mobile device. Respective users can use the devices to identify when and/or how a score is to be adjusted. The input can be processed at a mobile device or central server to determine whether and/or how to adjust a score. Score adjustment can depend on whether any other input includes inconsistent information. The score adjustments can be pushed to one or more mobile devices. In this manner, all mobile devices can display a consistent and current score.