Referee Support Arrangement Merging Functions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing referee support systems are cumbersome and only assist with specific tasks, lacking integration of all referee activities, and rely on bulky central units, plastic cards, and additional equipment like microphones and signal devices.

Innovation Solution

A referee support arrangement comprising a central mobile unit with internal memory, communication module, microphone, touchscreens, and a light signaling system, connected via wireless communication to a server and central control device, incorporating features like fingerprint scanning, distance measurement, and video referee systems, replacing traditional penalty cards and equipment with a compact, multifunctional electronic penalty card.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional referee support systems use separate devices for signaling, recording, and communication, then each specific function can be performed reliably, but the overall device complexity and equipment burden increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction-specific reliabilityVSAvoidequipment burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple referee support functions (light signaling, audio recording, video capture, communication, and event documentation) into a single integrated central unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate devices for each function, reducing equipment burden while maintaining reliable performance of all individual functions through unified system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The central unit is designed as a multifunctional device that can perform diverse referee tasks including displaying light signals, recording audio and video, communicating with the server, and documenting match events. This universal design allows one device to replace multiple specialized tools, simplifying the equipment a referee must carry and manage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a compact central unit is used to replace multiple devices, then ease of operation and portability improve, but integrating all referee activities into one unit increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates all referee support functions into a single compact central unit that is portable and easy to operate. The unified design consolidates lighting, recording, communication, and documentation capabilities into one device, improving portability while managing integration complexity through systematic architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If plastic cards and pens are replaced by an electronic system, then functionality and information capability are enhanced, but the size and handling difficulty of the central unit increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical tools (plastic cards and pens) with an electronic central unit equipped with touchscreen interfaces. This substitution enhances functionality by enabling digital documentation, multimedia recording, and automated information display, while the touchscreen design maintains ease of operation through intuitive graphical interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic central unit serves multiple functions beyond what plastic cards and pens can achieve, including light signaling, audio/video recording, wireless communication, and event documentation. This multifunctionality significantly enhances adaptability while the compact design and touchscreen interface preserve ease of handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional equipment like microphones and signal devices are integrated into the central unit, then all referee tasks can be executed from one device, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask integrationVSAvoidsystem integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges microphones, signal devices, lighting systems, and communication modules into a single central unit. This consolidation enables the referee to execute all tasks from one device, improving task integration while managing system complexity through unified architecture and centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3731942B1Referee support arrangement
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 MARUZSI LASZLO
  • EP3731942B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3731942B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3731942B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The subject of the invention is a referee support arrangement that includes a central mobile unit (12), a server (15), and a central control device (23); the central mobile unit (12) and the server (15) are connected via a wireless communication channel (14), and the server (15) and the central control device (23) are connected via a communication channel (14); the central mobile unit (12) includes an internal memory and control unit (18), a communication module (20), a power supply unit (7), a microphone (17), and one or more touchscreens (4). It is characterized in that the central mobile unit (12) is connected to a lineman stick (16), a camera (21), an offside and video referee system (22), and a light signalling system (25) via a wireless communication channel (14); the central mobile unit (12) is fitted with a distance measuring unit (13) and a lighting unit (10); the communication module (20), the distance measuring unit (13), and the microphone (17) are connected to an internal memory and control unit (18); the lineman stick (16) is fitted with at least one lighting unit (10) and lineman stick display (24); the light signalling system (25) is fitted with a lighting strip (30) containing lighting units (10).