US20240181321A1

US20240181321A1 - Edge storage architecture for security in wireless sports scoring

Info

Publication number: US20240181321A1
Application number: US18/060,599
Authority: US
Inventors: Eloisa Bentivegna; Krishnasuri Narayanam; Christopher J. Vollmar
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Current assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Filing date: 2022-12-01
Publication date: 2024-06-06

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed to wireless sport scoring. Aspects include detecting, by a sensor of a first user device, a scoring event between a first user and a second user and transmitting, by a wireless transmitter of the first user device, a signal indicating the scoring event to a scoring system. Aspects also include recording, in a memory of the first user device, a record of the scoring event and transmitting, by a wired transmitter of the first user device, the record of the scoring event to the scoring system based on detecting a wired connection between the first user device and the scoring system.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to wireless sport scoring systems, and more specifically, to an edge storage architecture for security in a wireless sports scoring system.
In general, combat sports, such as fencing, award points to participants for making contact with their opponent. In order to facilitate accurate scoring, electronic systems for detecting when a participant makes contact with their opponent have been developed. Traditionally, electronic scoring systems relied on wired communication. However, wireless versions of such electronic scoring systems have recently been developed to reduce the restrictions on the movement of the participants that the wired system imposed.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer-implemented method for wireless sports scoring. A non-limiting example of the computer-implemented method includes detecting, by a sensor of a first user device, a scoring event between a first user and a second user and transmitting, by a wireless transmitter of the first user device, a signal indicating the scoring event to a scoring system. The method also includes recording, in a memory of the first user device, a record of the scoring event and transmitting, by a wired transmitter of the first user device, the record of the scoring event to the scoring system based on detecting a wired connection between the first user device and the scoring system.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system for wireless sports scoring. A non-limiting example of the system includes a processor communicative coupled to a memory, the processor configured to detect, by a sensor of a first user device, a scoring event between a first user and a second user and transmit, by a wireless transmitter of the first user device, a signal indicating the scoring event to a scoring system. The processor is also configured to record, in a memory of the first user device, a record of the scoring event and transmit, by a wired transmitter of the first user device, the record of the scoring event to the scoring system based on detecting a wired connection between the first user device and the scoring system.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a computer program product for wireless sports scoring, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method. A non-limiting example of the method includes detecting, by a sensor of a first user device, a scoring event between a first user and a second user and transmitting, by a wireless transmitter of the first user device, a signal indicating the scoring event to a scoring system. The method also includes recording, in a memory of the first user device, a record of the scoring event and transmitting, by a wired transmitter of the first user device, the record of the scoring event to the scoring system based on detecting a wired connection between the first user device and the scoring system.
Additional technical features and benefits are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed subject matter. For a better understanding, refer to the detailed description and to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The specifics of the exclusive rights described herein are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the embodiments of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a computer system for use in implementing one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a wireless sports scoring system according to one or more embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic diagram of a wireless sports scoring system in a first operating mode according to one or more embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic diagram of a wireless sports scoring system in a second operating mode according to one or more embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram of a method for providing wireless sports scoring according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

The diagrams depicted herein are illustrative. There can be many variations to the diagram or the operations described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the actions can be performed in a differing order, or actions can be added, deleted, or modified. Also, the term “coupled” and variations thereof describes having a communications path between two elements and does not imply a direct connection between the elements with no intervening elements/connections between them. All of these variations are considered a part of the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, wireless electronic scoring systems for combat sports have recently been developed to reduce the restrictions of the movement on the participants that the wired system imposed. However, these wireless electronic scoring systems include vulnerabilities that can render the systems unreliable. In general, the wireless electronic scoring system includes two touch detectors (one per participant) and a central scoring machine that is wirelessly connected to the touch detectors. During the competition, a touch detector is configured to detect a touch and transmit a signal to the central scoring machine indicating the touch. In current systems, the wireless communication between the touch detectors and the central scoring machine is subject to interference (either malicious or unintentional) via cryptography attacks or a simple physical disruption of the wireless communications. With the current electronic scoring systems, these disruptions are not only difficult to defend against, but it is also impossible to detect scoring errors that result from the disruptions ex post facto, as no record of the scored events persists in the touch detectors.
Exemplary embodiments include methods, systems, and computer program products for wireless electronic scoring. In exemplary embodiments, the wireless scoring system includes user devices, such as touch detectors, that include local memory that stores a record of scoring events detected during a competition. The wireless scoring system also includes a central scoring system that receives wireless indications of scoring events from the user devices during the competition and creates a central record of the scoring events. At the end of the competition, the user devices are physically connected to a central system, which reconciles the scoring events stored on the user devices with the central record of the scoring events. As a result, the events recorded on different components can be cross-checked at the end of the competition and the integrity of the wireless communication between them can thus be verified.
Various aspects of the present disclosure are described by narrative text, flowcharts, block diagrams of computer systems, and/or block diagrams of the machine logic included in computer program product (CPP) embodiments. With respect to any flowcharts, depending upon the technology involved, the operations can be performed in a different order than what is shown in a given flowchart. For example, again depending upon the technology involved, two operations shown in successive flowchart blocks may be performed in reverse order, as a single integrated step, concurrently, or in a manner at least partially overlapping in time.
A computer program product embodiment (“CPP embodiment” or “CPP”) is a term used in the present disclosure to describe any set of one, or more, storage media (also called “mediums”) collectively included in a set of one, or more, storage devices that collectively include machine readable code corresponding to instructions and/or data for performing computer operations specified in a given CPP claim. A “storage device” is any tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by a computer processor. Without limitation, the computer readable storage medium may be an electronic storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, an electromagnetic storage medium, a semiconductor storage medium, a mechanical storage medium, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Some known types of storage devices that include these mediums include: diskette, hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), memory stick, floppy disk, mechanically encoded device (such as punch cards or pits/lands formed in a major surface of a disc) or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as that term is used in the present disclosure, is not to be construed as storage in the form of transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide, light pulses passing through a fiber optic cable, electrical signals communicated through a wire, and/or other transmission media. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, data is typically moved at some occasional points in time during normal operations of a storage device, such as during access, de-fragmentation or garbage collection, but this does not render the storage device as transitory because the data is not transitory while it is stored.
Computing environment 100 contains an example of an environment for the execution of at least some of the computer code involved in performing the inventive methods, such as wireless sports scoring 150. In addition to block 150, computing environment 100 includes, for example, computer 101, wide area network (WAN) 102, end user device (EUD) 103, remote server 104, public cloud 105, and private cloud 106. In this embodiment, computer 101 includes processor set 110 (including processing circuitry 120 and cache 121), communication fabric 111, volatile memory 112, persistent storage 113 (including operating system 122 and block 150, as identified above), peripheral device set 114 (including user interface (UI), device set 123, storage 124, and Internet of Things (IoT) sensor set 125), and network module 115. Remote server 104 includes remote database 130. Public cloud 105 includes gateway 140, cloud orchestration module 141, host physical machine set 142, virtual machine set 143, and container set 144.
COMPUTER 101 may take the form of a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, smart phone, smart watch or other wearable computer, mainframe computer, quantum computer or any other form of computer or mobile device now known or to be developed in the future that is capable of running a program, accessing a network or querying a database, such as remote database 130. As is well understood in the art of computer technology, and depending upon the technology, performance of a computer-implemented method may be distributed among multiple computers and/or between multiple locations. On the other hand, in this presentation of computing environment 100, detailed discussion is focused on a single computer, specifically computer 101, to keep the presentation as simple as possible. Computer 101 may be located in a cloud, even though it is not shown in a cloud in FIG. 1 . On the other hand, computer 101 is not required to be in a cloud except to any extent as may be affirmatively indicated.
PROCESSOR SET 110 includes one, or more, computer processors of any type now known or to be developed in the future. Processing circuitry 120 may be distributed over multiple packages, for example, multiple, coordinated integrated circuit chips. Processing circuitry 120 may implement multiple processor threads and/or multiple processor cores. Cache 121 is memory that is located in the processor chip package(s) and is typically used for data or code that should be available for rapid access by the threads or cores running on processor set 110. Cache memories are typically organized into multiple levels depending upon relative proximity to the processing circuitry. Alternatively, some, or all, of the cache for the processor set may be located “off chip.” In some computing environments, processor set 110 may be designed for working with qubits and performing quantum computing.
Computer readable program instructions are typically loaded onto computer 101 to cause a series of operational steps to be performed by processor set 110 of computer 101 and thereby effect a computer-implemented method, such that the instructions thus executed will instantiate the methods specified in flowcharts and/or narrative descriptions of computer-implemented methods included in this document (collectively referred to as “the inventive methods”). These computer readable program instructions are stored in various types of computer readable storage media, such as cache 121 and the other storage media discussed below. The program instructions, and associated data, are accessed by processor set 110 to control and direct performance of the inventive methods. In computing environment 100, at least some of the instructions for performing the inventive methods may be stored in block 150 in persistent storage 113.
COMMUNICATION FABRIC 111 is the signal conduction paths that allow the various components of computer 101 to communicate with each other. Typically, this fabric is made of switches and electrically conductive paths, such as the switches and electrically conductive paths that make up busses, bridges, physical input/output ports and the like. Other types of signal communication paths may be used, such as fiber optic communication paths and/or wireless communication paths.
VOLATILE MEMORY 112 is any type of volatile memory now known or to be developed in the future. Examples include dynamic type random access memory (RAM) or static type RAM. Typically, the volatile memory is characterized by random access, but this is not required unless affirmatively indicated. In computer 101, the volatile memory 112 is located in a single package and is internal to computer 101, but, alternatively or additionally, the volatile memory may be distributed over multiple packages and/or located externally with respect to computer 101.
PERSISTENT STORAGE 113 is any form of non-volatile storage for computers that is now known or to be developed in the future. The non-volatility of this storage means that the stored data is maintained regardless of whether power is being supplied to computer 101 and/or directly to persistent storage 113. Persistent storage 113 may be a read only memory (ROM), but typically at least a portion of the persistent storage allows writing of data, deletion of data and re-writing of data. Some familiar forms of persistent storage include magnetic disks and solid state storage devices. Operating system 122 may take several forms, such as various known proprietary operating systems or open source Portable Operating System Interface type operating systems that employ a kernel. The code included in block 150 typically includes at least some of the computer code involved in performing the inventive methods.
PERIPHERAL DEVICE SET 114 includes the set of peripheral devices of computer 101. Data communication connections between the peripheral devices and the other components of computer 101 may be implemented in various ways, such as Bluetooth connections, Near-Field Communication (NFC) connections, connections made by cables (such as universal serial bus (USB) type cables), insertion type connections (for example, secure digital (SD) card), connections made though local area communication networks and even connections made through wide area networks such as the internet. In various embodiments, UI device set 123 may include components such as a display screen, speaker, microphone, wearable devices (such as goggles and smart watches), keyboard, mouse, printer, touchpad, game controllers, and haptic devices. Storage 124 is external storage, such as an external hard drive, or insertable storage, such as an SD card. Storage 124 may be persistent and/or volatile. In some embodiments, storage 124 may take the form of a quantum computing storage device for storing data in the form of qubits. In embodiments where computer 101 is required to have a large amount of storage (for example, where computer 101 locally stores and manages a large database) then this storage may be provided by peripheral storage devices designed for storing very large amounts of data, such as a storage area network (SAN) that is shared by multiple, geographically distributed computers. IoT sensor set 125 is made up of sensors that can be used in Internet of Things applications. For example, one sensor may be a thermometer and another sensor may be a motion detector.
NETWORK MODULE 115 is the collection of computer software, hardware, and firmware that allows computer 101 to communicate with other computers through WAN 102. Network module 115 may include hardware, such as modems or Wi-Fi signal transceivers, software for packetizing and/or de-packetizing data for communication network transmission, and/or web browser software for communicating data over the internet. In some embodiments, network control functions and network forwarding functions of network module 115 are performed on the same physical hardware device. In other embodiments (for example, embodiments that utilize software-defined networking (SDN)), the control functions and the forwarding functions of network module 115 are performed on physically separate devices, such that the control functions manage several different network hardware devices. Computer readable program instructions for performing the inventive methods can typically be downloaded to computer 101 from an external computer or external storage device through a network adapter card or network interface included in network module 115.
WAN 102 is any wide area network (for example, the internet) capable of communicating computer data over non-local distances by any technology for communicating computer data, now known or to be developed in the future. In some embodiments, the WAN may be replaced and/or supplemented by local area networks (LANs) designed to communicate data between devices located in a local area, such as a Wi-Fi network. The WAN and/or LANs typically include computer hardware such as copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and edge servers.
END USER DEVICE (EUD) 103 is any computer system that is used and controlled by an end user (for example, a customer of an enterprise that operates computer 101), and may take any of the forms discussed above in connection with computer 101. EUD 103 typically receives helpful and useful data from the operations of computer 101. For example, in a hypothetical case where computer 101 is designed to provide a recommendation to an end user, this recommendation would typically be communicated from network module 115 of computer 101 through WAN 102 to EUD 103. In this way, EUD 103 can display, or otherwise present, the recommendation to an end user. In some embodiments, EUD 103 may be a client device, such as thin client, heavy client, mainframe computer, desktop computer and so on.
REMOTE SERVER 104 is any computer system that serves at least some data and/or functionality to computer 101. Remote server 104 may be controlled and used by the same entity that operates computer 101. Remote server 104 represents the machine(s) that collect and store helpful and useful data for use by other computers, such as computer 101. For example, in a hypothetical case where computer 101 is designed and programmed to provide a recommendation based on historical data, then this historical data may be provided to computer 101 from remote database 130 of remote server 104.
PUBLIC CLOUD 105 is any computer system available for use by multiple entities that provides on-demand availability of computer system resources and/or other computer capabilities, especially data storage (cloud storage) and computing power, without direct active management by the user. Cloud computing typically leverages sharing of resources to achieve coherence and economies of scale. The direct and active management of the computing resources of public cloud 105 is performed by the computer hardware and/or software of cloud orchestration module 141. The computing resources provided by public cloud 105 are typically implemented by virtual computing environments that run on various computers making up the computers of host physical machine set 142, which is the universe of physical computers in and/or available to public cloud 105. The virtual computing environments (VCEs) typically take the form of virtual machines from virtual machine set 143 and/or containers from container set 144. It is understood that these VCEs may be stored as images and may be transferred among and between the various physical machine hosts, either as images or after instantiation of the VCE. Cloud orchestration module 141 manages the transfer and storage of images, deploys new instantiations of VCEs and manages active instantiations of VCE deployments. Gateway 140 is the collection of computer software, hardware, and firmware that allows public cloud 105 to communicate through WAN 102.
Some further explanation of virtualized computing environments (VCEs) will now be provided. VCEs can be stored as “images.” A new active instance of the VCE can be instantiated from the image. Two familiar types of VCEs are virtual machines and containers. A container is a VCE that uses operating-system-level virtualization. This refers to an operating system feature in which the kernel allows the existence of multiple isolated user-space instances, called containers. These isolated user-space instances typically behave as real computers from the point of view of programs running in them. A computer program running on an ordinary operating system can utilize all resources of that computer, such as connected devices, files and folders, network shares, CPU power, and quantifiable hardware capabilities. However, programs running inside a container can only use the contents of the container and devices assigned to the container, a feature which is known as containerization.
PRIVATE CLOUD 106 is similar to public cloud 105, except that the computing resources are only available for use by a single enterprise. While private cloud 106 is depicted as being in communication with WAN 102, in other embodiments a private cloud may be disconnected from the internet entirely and only accessible through a local/private network. A hybrid cloud is a composition of multiple clouds of different types (for example, private, community or public cloud types), often respectively implemented by different vendors. Each of the multiple clouds remains a separate and discrete entity, but the larger hybrid cloud architecture is bound together by standardized or proprietary technology that enables orchestration, management, and/or data/application portability between the multiple constituent clouds. In this embodiment, public cloud 105 and private cloud 106 are both part of a larger hybrid cloud.
Referring now to FIG. 2 a block diagram of a wireless sports scoring system 200 according to one or more embodiments of the invention is shown. As illustrated, the wireless sports scoring system 200 includes a scoring system 210, a first user device 220, and a second user device 230. In exemplary embodiments, the first user device 220 and a second user device 230 are configured to be worn by participants of a sporting competition, such as fencing or the like. Each of the first user device 220 and a second user device 230 are configured to wirelessly communicate with the scoring system 210 during the sporting competition.
In exemplary embodiments, the first user device 220 includes one or more sensors 222, a wireless transmitter 224, a memory 226, and a wired transmitter 228. Although not shown, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the first user device 220 includes other components such as a processing device, a battery, and the like. In exemplary embodiments, one or more sensors 222 are configured to detect an occurrence of a scoring event during a sporting competition between a first user wearing the first user device 220 and a second user wearing the second user device 230. Once a scoring event is detected, the first user device 220 is configured to store a record of the scoring event in the memory 226 and to transmit, via the wireless transmitter 224, an indication of the scoring event to the scoring system 210. In one embodiment, the scoring event is assigned an identification number that is stored as part of the record in the memory 226 and is included in the data transmitted to the scoring system 210. In one embodiment, a timestamp corresponding to the detection of the scoring event is stored as part of the record in the memory 226 and is included in the data transmitted to the scoring system 210.
In exemplary embodiments, the second user device 230 includes one or more sensors 232, a wireless transmitter 234, a memory 236, and a wired transmitter 238. Although not shown, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the second user device 230 includes other components such as a processing device, a battery, and the like. In exemplary embodiments, one or more sensors 232 are configured to detect an occurrence of a scoring event during a sporting competition between a first user wearing the first user device 220 and a second user wearing the second user device 230. In one embodiment, the sensors 232 are electric circuits and the opening/closing of which (e.g., by depressing a button on the tip of one of the weapons) signals the occurrence of a touch.
Once a scoring event is detected, the second user device 230 is configured to store a record of the scoring event in the memory 236 and to transmit, via the wireless transmitter 234, an indication of the scoring event to the scoring system 210. In one embodiment, the scoring event is assigned an identification number that is stored as part of the record in the memory 236 and is included in the data transmitted to the scoring system 210. In one embodiment, a timestamp corresponding to the detection of the scoring event is stored as part of the record in the memory 236 and is included in the data transmitted to the scoring system 210.
In exemplary embodiments, the scoring system 210 includes a display 212, a wireless receiver 214, a memory 216, and a wired receiver 218. Although not shown, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the scoring system 210 includes other components such as a processing device, a power source, and the like. In one embodiment, the scoring system 210 may be embodied in a processing system 100 such as the one shown in FIG. 1 . In exemplary embodiments, the scoring system 210 is configured to receive, via the wireless receiver 214, indications of scoring events during a sporting competition between a first user wearing the first user device 220 and a second user wearing the second user device 230. In one embodiment, the scoring system 210 also includes one or more lights that are configured to illuminate when a signal indicating a scoring event is received. In another embodiment, the scoring system 210 also includes a speaker that is configured to make a sound when a signal indicating a scoring event is received. The scoring system 210 is further configured to create and update a central record stored in memory 216 based on the received scoring event data. In one embodiment, the scoring system 210 is further configured to use the display 212 to display a current score of the sporting competition. The current score is obtained from the central record stored in the memory 216.
In exemplary embodiments, at the conclusion of the sporting competition between a first user wearing the first user device 220 and a second user wearing the second user device 230, the first user device 220 and the second user device 230 are physically connected to the scoring system 210. In one example, the first user device 220 and the second user device 230 are docked in the scoring system 210, and the wired transmitters 228, 238 of the user devices are connected to the wired receiver 218 of the scoring system 210.
In exemplary embodiments, once the first user device 220 and the second user device 230 are physically connected to the scoring system 210, the scoring system 210 obtains the scoring records from the memory 226, 236. The scoring system 210 reconciles the scoring records from the memory 226, 236 with the central record of the storing events stored in the memory 216. If no errors, or discrepancies, are found between the scoring records from the memory 226, 236 and the central record of the scoring events stored in the memory 216, the score in the central record is verified as a final score for the sporting competition. In one embodiment, in the event that an error, or discrepancy, is found between the scoring records from the memory 226, 236 and the central record of the scoring events stored in the memory 216, the data in the central record of the scoring events is updated based on the scoring records from the memory 226, 236. In other words, the data in the scoring records from the memory 226, 236 is treated as the more accurate scoring data. After the central record is updated, the score in the central record is verified as a final score for the sporting competition. In another embodiment, in the event that an error, or discrepancy, is found between the scoring records from the memory 226, 236 and the central record of the scoring events stored in the memory 216, the sporting competition is declared invalid and repeated.
Referring now to FIG. 3 , a schematic diagram of a wireless sports scoring system 300 in a first operating mode according to one or more embodiments of the invention is shown. As illustrated, the first operating mode is during a sporting competition during which a first user 302 is wearing a first user device 320 and a second user 304 is wearing a second user device 330. Both the first user device 320 and the second user device 330 are in wireless communication with the scoring system 310. As illustrated, the scoring system 310 includes a display 312 that is configured to display a real-time score of the sporting competition based on the central record of the scoring events stored in the scoring system 310.
Turning now to FIG. 4 , a schematic diagram of a wireless sports scoring system 400 in a second operating mode according to one or more embodiments of the invention is shown. The second operating mode is after the conclusion of a sporting competition and during the second operating mode, the first user device 420 and second user device 430 are physically connected to the scoring system 410. As illustrated, the wired transmitter 428 of the first user device 420 forms a wired connection with the wired receiver 418 of the scoring system 410 and the wired transmitter 438 of the second user device 430 forms a wired connection with the wired receiver 418 of the scoring system 410. Once the first user device 420 and/or the second user device 430 are connected to the scoring system 410, the scoring system 410 obtains the stored scoring records from the memory 426, 436 of the user devices 420, 430 respectively. The scoring system 410 the reconciles the central record of the scoring events stored in memory 416 with the scoring records obtained from the memory 426, 436 of the user devices 420, 430.
Referring now to FIG. 5 , a flow diagram of a method 500 for providing wireless sports scoring according to one or more embodiments of the invention is shown. As illustrated at block 502, the method 500 includes detecting, by a sensor of a first user device, a scoring event between a first user and a second user. Next, as shown at block 504, the method 500 includes transmitting, by a wireless transmitter of the first user device, a signal indicating the scoring event to a scoring system. The method 500 also includes recording, in a memory of the first user device, a record of the scoring event, as shown at block 506. In exemplary embodiments, the transmitted signal indicating the scoring event and the record of the scoring event stored in the memory includes one or more an identification number to the scoring event by the first user device and a timestamp indicating when the scoring event was detected.
As shown at block 508, the method 500 also includes recording, in a memory of the scoring system, a central record of the scoring event. The method 500 also includes transmitting, by a wired transmitter of the first user device, the record of the scoring event to the scoring system based on detecting a wired connection between the first user device and the scoring system, as shown at block 510. Next, as shown at block 512, the method 500 includes reconciling, by the scoring system, the central record with the record received from the first user device. In exemplary embodiments, the identification number and/or timestamp are used by the scoring system during reconciliation. In exemplary embodiments, the method further includes one of updating the central record based on the reconciliation or declaring the sporting event invalid.
Technical benefits of the wireless sport scoring systems include providing a reliable wireless scoring system that is configured to be robust and able to withstand interference (either malicious or unintentional) via cryptography attacks or a simple physical disruption of the wireless communications.
Additional processes may also be included. It should be understood that the processes depicted in FIG. 5 represent illustrations and that other processes may be added, or existing processes may be removed, modified, or rearranged without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product at any possible technical detail level of integration. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.
The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.
Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.
Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instruction by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.
Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.
These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments described herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method of wireless sport scoring, the method comprising:

detecting, by a sensor of a first user device, a scoring event between a first user and a second user;

transmitting, by a wireless transmitter of the first user device, a signal indicating the scoring event to a scoring system;

recording, in a memory of the first user device, a record of the scoring event;

based on detecting a wired connection between the first user device and the scoring system, transmitting, by a wired transmitter of the first user device, the record of the scoring event to the scoring system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning an identification number to the scoring event by the first user device based on the detecting.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the signal indicating the scoring event includes the identification number.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the record of the scoring event includes the identification number.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal indicating the scoring event includes a timestamp indicating when the scoring event was detected.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the record of the scoring event includes a timestamp indicating when the scoring event was detected.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

recording, in a memory of the scoring system, a central record of the scoring event; and

reconciling, by the scoring system, the central record with the record received from the first user device.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising updating the central record based on the reconciliation.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter of the first user device transmits the signal indicating the scoring event to the scoring system in real-time.

10. A system comprising:

a scoring system comprising a memory, a wired receiver and a wireless receiver;

a first user device comprising:

a sensor for detecting a scoring event between a first user and a second user;

a memory configured to store a record of the scoring event;

a wireless transmitter configured to transmit a signal indicating the scoring event to the scoring system; and

a wired transmitter configured to transmit the record of the scoring event to the scoring system, based on detecting a wired connection between the first user device and the scoring system,

wherein the scoring system is configured to recording, in the memory of the scoring system, a central record of the scoring event and to reconcile the central record with the record received from the first user device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the scoring system is configured to update the central record based on the reconciliation.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the first user device is configured to assign an identification number to the scoring event based on the detecting.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the signal indicating the scoring event includes the identification number.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the record of the scoring event includes the identification number.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the signal indicating the scoring event includes a timestamp indicating when the scoring event was detected.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the record of the scoring event includes a timestamp indicating when the scoring event was detected.

17. A computer program product for wireless sport scoring comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method comprising:

recording, in a memory of the first user device, a record of the scoring event;

18. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising assigning an identification number to the scoring event by the first user device based on the detecting.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the signal indicating the scoring event includes the identification number.

20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the record of the scoring event includes the identification number.