Network Signaling Device for Sporting Events
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signaling systems in sports, such as the use of a referee's whistle, often fail to provide clear and reliable signals due to increased crowd noise, leading to confusion among players, coaches, and spectators, and errors in game clock management.
Innovation Solution
A network-enabled signaling device integrated with an event signaling system that receives a signal from a sports official and publishes the activation to a plurality of network-connected subscribers, using a microcontroller, wireless radio transceiver, sensors, and local alert devices to facilitate signal detection and dissemination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard whistle is used to initiate a wireless signal, then the signal can be transmitted to devices, but the mechanical solution is subject to failures and lacks configurability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical whistle-based signal initiation with an electronic sensor system that detects acoustic signals electronically. This substitution eliminates the mechanical failure points while enabling digital signal processing and networked communication, thereby improving both reliability and configurability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional signaling system that can detect various types of signals (acoustic, visual), transmit them through multiple channels (wireless, network), and interface with different devices (spectators' devices, game clock, scoring system). This universal approach resolves the contradiction by making the system both reliable and highly configurable
2Loss of information
If visual signals are used to convey referee signals, then spectators can discern the signals, but the system lacks versatility and configurability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal signal distribution system that can deliver signals in multiple formats (visual displays on spectator devices, audible alerts, haptic feedback) and reach multiple audiences (spectators, players, coaches, officials) simultaneously. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining signal discernibility while dramatically increasing versatility
3Device complexity
If direct-link wireless signals are used to activate specific devices, then the signal transmission is simple, but the system lacks configurability and convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network intermediary layer (wireless network, server) between the signal source and target devices. This intermediary enables flexible routing, filtering, and distribution of signals to multiple devices based on configurable criteria, resolving the contradiction by maintaining simple transmission mechanisms while enabling complex configurability through the network layer
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing network-enabled signaling devices for sporting events are disclosed. An example embodiment is configured for: detecting an event at a sporting activity by use of a signal generator with a data processor and a sensor subsystem, the event detection being triggered by a sensor of the sensor subsystem detecting a signal exceeding a pre-defined threshold; generating a signal message including information indicative of the event detection; establishing, by use of the data processor of the signal generator, a connection with a data network; sending the signal message to a message broker via the data network; and causing the message broker to forward the signal message to subscribed subscriber platforms.