Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02272835 1999-OS-26
SPORTS TIMEKEEPING SYSTEM
Signalir~ Device(s)_
whistle
s detector
processor/controller
data modulator
radio transmitter
antenna
power source
Receiving Devices)
antenna
radio receiver
is level detector
data demodulator
processor/controller
communication controller
power system regulator
Central Controller
processor/controller
communication controller
external device communication interfaces
2s timeclock interface
timekeeper panel
computer
electronic whistle generator
system power supply
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System Configuration and Monitoring Computer
conventional PC
application software
communication controller
s serial data link
Timekeeper Panel
processor/controller
timing display
1o system adjustment controls
communication controller
Electronic Whistle Generator
processor/controller
1 s digital sound generator
ambient sensitive level control
PA system interface
communication controller
2o SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
The system consists of one or more self-contained portable signaling
devices, each capable of causing radio transmissions to be sent for reliable
interception
by one or more radio receivers which in turn signal a central controller of
events to
2s occur on demand, such as stopping and starting a sports timeclock or
display of
appropriate timing information and other optional ancillary devices. The non
portable
devices of the system are interconnected as appropriate with a wired or
wireless
signaling or communication network so as to facilitate the exchange of
commands or
information among the individual devices for the proper execution of the
system
3o functions.
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The interchange of data among the devices is orchestrated by a central
controller which is the nerve center of the system. The various devices may be
interconnected with that controller by means of a direct wired method or by
means of a
networked method, as appropriate for the particular installation. The
networked
method may take the form of a cabled network or wireless network. In certain
cases a
combination of direct wired, cabled network and wireless network may be
employed.
The system may include ancillary devices such as local interactive controls
and timing displays for the timekeeper, a variable level simulated electronic
whistle for
connection through a PA system, a PC with appropriate application software for
the
local or remote configuration, monitoring, recording, analyzing, communication
and
printing of game statistics and general proper operation of the whole system,
and a
suitable local area network for interconnecting the various devices.
DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM COMPONENTS
The Signaling Device is a small, self-contained, physical integration of a
conventional whistle as usually carried by a referee, and electronic circuitry
consisting
of a sensor to determine that a signalable event has been detected, a
controller to
confirm the validity of the detection, to orchestrate the coding of a secure
data stream,
to time and synchronize an actual data transmission and to monitor and
transmit the
proper operating status of the device, to monitor and manage the power
requirement of
the device, a radio transmitter to generate an RF carrier and to modulate that
carrier
2s with the data stream to be transmitted, and an antenna to properly emit the
radio
signals generated.
The Receiving Device consists of a suitable antenna for interception of the
transmitted RF signal, a radio receiver to convert the intercepted RF signal
to levels
3o compatible with a demodulator, a demodulator to extract the signaling
stream from the
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modulated RF signal, a controller to interpret the extracted data stream, to
determine
the course of action to be taken according to the content of the data stream
received, to
pass the appropriate information to a communication controller, to receive
commands
and cause action according to those commands from other devices connected to
the
s receiver whether wired directly to the receiver or via a network, a wire or
communication controller to pass the information to and receive other
communication
from other devices connected directly or indirectly to the receiver(s), and a
power
regulator for adapting the power to levels suitable for proper operation of
the receiver.
The Central Controller is the device which controls the interaction of the
various elements of the system, and consists of a power supply for its own use
as well
as for the distribution of power to other devices connected to the system
network, an
embedded processor programmed to act as a system controller, a communication
controller to interchange information with a system monitoring computer and
other
~ 5 devices connected to the system network, display and diagnostic indicators
for the
convenient confirmation of proper operation, and signal interfaces for control
of other
devices such as a time clock, timekeeper controls, and electronic whistle
generator in
the case when those devices are not connected to the system network.
2o The System Configuration and Monitoring Computer is a conventional PC
with appropriate application software, and its purpose is to monitor the
proper
operation of the system and record detailed statistical information about the
timekeeping issues during a sporting event. It connects either directly to the
Central
Controller via an appropriate serial data link, or to the system network in
those cases
2s when such is employed. It is used to activate specific signaling devices
for the sporting
event at hand, to configure certain elements of the system and will gather
operational
information for storage, analysis and remote reporting.
The Timekeeper Panel consists of a power regulator, a system
3o communication controller, a timing display to indicate the duration of the
current play
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in progress and electronic circuitry to effect the proper interaction among
those
elements.
The Electronic Whistle Generator simulates the sound of a whistle
s electronically and presents that signal at varying levels as determined by
ambient noise
level conditions to the PA system of the facility where the system is
installed. It consists
of a communication controller to interact with the system Central Controller
to which it
communicates its operational status, and from which it takes its commands such
as the
triggering of the simulated whistle signal to the PA system ant the adjustment
of
operational parameters such as duration, level ranges, ambient noise
sensitivity and
tone selection of the whistle sound.
DETAILED COMPONENT DESCRIPTION
1s Signaling Device
The signaling device is the complete integrated unit of a normal whistle
and electronic circuitry to rapidly transmit the fact that the whistle has
been blown to
the rest of the system by wireless means.
A sensor determines the fact that the whistle has been blown. The
methods to effect this determination can be various, and may depend on the
particular
application being addressed. It could be by means of a thermal dissipation
sensor by
which the voltage across an element in the air stream of the whistle changes
with the
2s amount of air passing the element, or by means of a pressure sensor which
senses a
change of air pressure in a passage or chamber of the whistle, or by means of
a
microphone embedded in the device, or by a vibration sensor directly coupled
to the
wall of the whistle.
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Depending on the sensing technique used, the sensed signal may need to
be amplified, and is then fed to processing circuitry to verify that the
sensed signal has
the correct attributes to be considered a valid event. These determinations
are best
performed digitally by means of an embedded microprocessor utilizing software
algorithms appropriate to the sensing method used. Valid signal signature
parameters
will include the level, duration and frequency components making up the
signal. In this
manner, false signal determinations are minimized.
Once a valid whistle signal has been determined, the device circuitry will
to assemble an appropriately coded communication data packet for dissemination
by the
wireless circuitry. Again, this coding is best performed by the
microprocessor, and
includes such data as the packet serial number, device serial number, the
identification
of the type of transmission, and security information to guard against
communication
errors occurring during the transmission. Although many choices of bit length
and bit
timing of each packet is possible, a length of 32 bits at a rate of 4800 bits
per second for
four iterations is preferred as a balance between speed and reliability. For
improved
reliability and simultaneous transmissions from multiple signaling devices,
each packet
is sent numerous times. The types of transmission could be simply
"housekeeping"
information such as battery voltage, synchronization messages, other
performance
2o related data, or, of course, the sensing of the whistle event.
When the appropriate data packet has been assembled, it is handed over
serially to the radio circuit for RF transmission. The radio circuit utilizes
high frequency
transmission consistent with available and authorized bands as determined by
the
appropriate Federal Agencies. Within the boundaries specified by those
agencies, the
methods of RF signaling could be by means of one or a combination of on/off
keying,
amplitude shift keying, frequency shift keying or phase shift keying. and
could also
take the form of broad spectrum transmission. Narrow band transmissions are
more
subject to intentional and accidental interference from other RF sources in
the band
3o proximity of the signal of interest than are broad spectrum transmissions.
The
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requirement to be able to separately and reliably receive and identify data
packets from
more than one whistle simultaneously poses a problem for narrow band
transmissions
if they are performed at the same RF frequency. As a result, the preferred
method of
implementing the data transmission is by means of binary phase shift keying in
a broad
spectrum mode, allowing multiple data transmissions to occur at the same time
and at
the same RF frequency. Although other bands are possible, the permissible band
selected is the 902 to 928 MHz ISM band. The broad spectrum can generated by
means
of direct sequence, frequency hopping, chirp or possibly other means, with the
direct
sequence approach favoured for reasons of simplicity in implementation as
compared
1o to other methods. Naturally, the receivers need to be compatible and
capable of
reception of such simultaneous broad spectrum transmissions.
Although other choices could be used, a small patch antenna is integrated
into the signaling device, and is designed to provide an effective match to
the RF
amplifier of the broad spectrum transmitter.
To confirm proper operation of each signaling device, it transmits idle
status confirmation data packets at preset intervals. Failure of reception of
such packets
will therefor signify the system of a failure of the device with the affected
serial number,
2o and appropriate notification can be given to the game officials.
The signaling device incorporates a small battery to power the various
circuit elements, and the voltage of this battery is monitored by the
circuitry, causing
appropriate alarm data packets to be transmitted in the case of low voltages.
Receiving Device
The receiving device is responsible for intercepting, decoding and
validating the RF signals transmitted from one or more transmitting devices,
perhaps
3o simultaneously, and passing the validated data on to the Central System
Controller.
CA 02272835 1999-OS-26
An antenna intercepts the signals emanating from the signaling devices in
use. Depending on the physical constraints and requirements of the particular
installation, a suitable antenna must be selected from the plethora of models
available to
s provide an appropriate signal for the application.
The antenna connects to the receiver which matches the frequency,
modulation mode and broad (or narrow as the case may be) transmission mode of
the
signaling device. The receiver is controlled by an embedded microprocessor
with
1o appropriate software to effect the sequencing of simultaneous transmissions
from
multiple signaling devices.
When validated data packets have been received, this event and the data
contents are coded by the embedded microprocessor into a data packet for
transmission
1 s to the central controller. The receiving device is continually polled by
the system
Central Controller via the local communication system. The system can be
directly
wired from the Central Controller to each Receiving Device, or indirectly as
in a local
area network, or even in a wireless RF, infrared, or optical manner. For
convenience
and cost, certain applications will favor one approach over the others, but
all are
2o possible. In each case the required data is retrieved from all receiving
devices in the
system by each receiving device responding to an inquiry poll with its
specific device
address from the Central Controller. Regardless of the communication method
chosen,
receptions and transmissions of data packets on the system cables or network
are serial
in nature at data rates commensurate with the length and type of transmission
medium
25 selected. Although many data coding methods are possible the preferred
implementation in all cases is Manchester coding with packet lengths as
required to
convey the data to be communicated. Security data is included in the packets
to ensure
the reliable conveyance of the data.
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The receiving device does not generally interpret the content of the data in
the packet received from the signaling device. It does however monitor the
strength of
the RF signal received from each signaling device, and when polled, passes
this
information on to the Central Controller for analysis and recording.
s
For convenience and certainty of supply, the receiving device draws its
power from the Central Controller via the connected cables when connected
directly to
the Central Controller, or when connected to a wired local area network. The
Receiving
Device may of course be supplied with power from other sources if appropriate
for the
1o particular installation. The Receiving Device includes electronic circuitry
to properly
extract and regulate as necessary the power from the wired cables or network.
Central Controller
1 s The Central Controller is the nerve center of the system. It is able to
communicate, over channels as appropriate, with each of the other elements in
the
system, and orchestrates the collection of all data available and required for
proper
operation of the system, including its own functions. A local display is
provided to
indicate the proper or abnormal operation of the whole system or any device in
the
20 system.
The device contains of a power system for its own consumption as well as
for distribution to other system devices wired to it, either directly or via a
local area
network. The proper operation of the power system is monitored by the unit's
2s embedded microprocessor.
It embodies an embedded microprocessor with appropriate software to
effect the various system functions desired.
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The unit also includes one or more communication controllers to
interchange data with other devices in the system. This data communication is
exchanged in serial format, and at varying data rates and various message
lengths as
appropriate for the particular installation. All messages include message
serial
s numbers, structure and security data so as to ensure the integrity of the
data
interchange. The physical medium for data interchange can be in the form of
one or
more of directly connected wires to the other system elements, of a local area
network,
of fiber optical nature, of wireless infra-red , of wireless laser link, or of
wireless radio
link.
to
The embedded microprocessor sequentially assembles data packets for
transmission to each of the other devices in the system. The packets are coded
to contain
instructions to the addressed device to respond in some manner.
~s In the case of addressing the Receiving Devices in the system, these
instructions include those which will cause the Receiving Device to respond
with data
packet transmissions passing back the data packets it received from the
Signaling
Devices in the system. It also will include those which cause the Receiving
Device to
make adjustments to its own settings affecting the operation of the Receiving
Device.
2o Also included will be those instructions which cause the Receiving Device
to respond
with status and alarm information about its own operation and integrity,
including the
performance and quality of the communication network. On receipt of data from
the
Receiving Devices that the signaling device has transmitted the occurrence of
an event
intended to stop the sports timeclock, the unit analyzes the information, and
determines
2s that if at least a specified number Receiving Devices indicate this
occurrence, then the
occurrence is deemed to be valid, and a signal is immediately communicated to
the
timeclock, and subsequently to the other interested devices connected to the
network,
that a valid stoppage in play has occurred, and for each device to react in
the manner it
is programmed to do in the case of such an event. Conversely, the signal might
also be
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the occurrence of an event to commence timing of play, and starting or
resumption of
timing by the sports timeclock.
Failure of the Central Controller to receive idle status data packets for a
s predetermined period of time from any of the Receiving Devices in the
system, or major
operational, status or alarm information from any device in the system will
cause an
appropriate alarm indication to be posted on the Timekeeper's Panel.
Other determinations for actions may also be made by the Central
to Controller according to the data received from other devices in the system
and features
implemented for the particular facility. On detection of the occurrence of
such
conditions, the Central Controller will address the required devices in the
system to
take the appropriate action.
~ s In the case of addressing the sports timeclock ancillary device, the
instructions include those to stop, start or otherwise adjust the clock.
Instructions to
retrieve status and alarm information relating to the proper operation of or
adjustment
to the operation of the Timeclock Interface ancillary device are also
included.
2o In the case of addressing the timekeeper's panel, instructions include the
setting of values on the timekeeper's time display as well as setting alarm
and status
displays on the timekeeper's panel, and retrieving operational commands from
the
switches and pushbuttons of the timekeeper's panel when so fitted.
Instructions to
retrieve status and alarm information relating to the proper operation of or
adjustment
2s to the operation of the ancillary Timekeeper's Panel device are also
included.
In the case of addressing the System Configuration and Monitoring
Computer, the instructions include the storing away in that computer the
relevant
operational, statistical, alarm and status information gathered by the Central
Controller
3o from the other devices in the system, including those of itself. The
instructions also
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include the retrieval from that computer those serial numbers of the devices
which are
permitted to be connected to the system network, including those of the
signaling
devices. In this manner unauthorized devices intentionally or accidentally
connected to
the communication network will not be permitted to affect the proper operation
of the
s system.
In the case of addressing the Electronic Whistle Generator ancillary
device, the instructions will include those to trigger an electronic whistle
to the PA
system. Instructions to retrieve status and alarm information relating to the
proper
operation of or adjustment to the operation of the ancillary Electronic
Whistle Generator
device are also included.
System Configuration and Monitoring Computer
~ s The System Configuration and Monitoring Computer consists of a
conventional PC with appropriate software to effect the data recording,
retrieval,
analysis, display, printing and configuration of the system.
The device has the capability for communication with the Central
2o Controller via direct connection or via a local area network.
The unit communicates with the Central Controller and stores all data as
instructed by the Central Controller. The system as a whole is configured by
means of
human intervention through the computer's keyboard and display, and stores
2s information as to legitimate devices which are permitted to interact in the
system.
Unauthorized devices will be ignored from operational activities but are
recorded,
alarmed and printed when detected. This aids to eliminate tampering with the
system.
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Timekeeper Panel
The Timekeeper Panel provides the game's timekeeper with limited
operational data and the ability to effect changes to the operation of the
system at game
time.
The unit has the capability for communication with the Central Controller
via direct connection or via a local area network In the case of direct or
network
connection, the device draws its power form the connected cables. Otherwise
the device
to may be separately powered. In each case the device has a power regulator to
ensure the
supply of proper power levels.
An embedded microprocessor with appropriate software permit the unit
to display to the timekeeper the running duration of clock time since the
resumption of
timing since the last stop in timing. This permits the convenient adjustment
of the
sports timeclock in those cases where adjustment need be made due to false
starts of
play. The panel will also provide the game officials with urgent system alarm
and status
information such as the failure or gross mis-operation of devices in the
system,
including failure or low battery condition of the signaling devices. In this
manner,
2o urgent issues can be dealt with in a timely and appropriate manner thereby
eliminating
or minimizing disruption of normal play.
The embedded processor also monitors the proper operation of the unit,
including the power supply, and this data is passed on to the Central
Controller when
2s the device is polled by the Central Controller.
Electronic Whistle Generator
The Electronic Whistle Generator provides a means for a simulated
3o whistle to be put onto the building or facility PA system.
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The unit has the capability for communication with the Central Controller
via direct connection or via a local area network In the case of direct or
network
connection, the device draws its power form the connected cables. Otherwise
the device
s may be separately powered. In each case the device has a power regulator to
ensure the
supply of proper power levels.
An embedded microprocessor with appropriate software permit the unit
to retrieve from its memory a synthesized digital representation of a desired
whistle, or
other sound if so equipped. The digitized signal is converted to analog form,
filtered
and amplified to levels specified by the Central Controller, and fed to the PA
system of
the facility. A sensing mechanism utilizing a microphone will sense the
ambient noise
level at the facility, and adjust the level presented to the PA system
accordingly. In this
manner, as crowd noise increases, the referee whistle, via data transmissions
from the
15 signaling device, receivers, and central controller have a greater
likelihood of being
heard by the players.
The microprocessor also monitors the proper operation of the device, and
accordingly communicates improper operation to the Central Controller.
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