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Description  |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to electronic score keeping arrangements of games.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Anyone who has played tennis to any substantial extent has encountered
problems in recalling the score and has become involved in time-consuming
discussions with the opponent relative to the score. While a number of
mechanical or electrical score-keeping devices have been proposed
heretofore, these have tended to be unduly cumbersome or heavy, and
frequently have not been designed to either keep proper score for a tennis
match or to solve the score-keeping problem from a player's viewpoint.
Prior patents relating to scoring apparatus for sports contests include J.
F. Lohstroh, U.S. Pat. No. 545,601, granted Sept. 3, 1895; S. D. McElroy,
U.S. Pat. No. 565,141, granted Aug. 4, 1896; H. H. Kucks, U.S. Pat. No.
2,455,422, granted Dec. 7, 1948; R. G. Bowman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,366,945,
granted Jan. 30, 1968; G. O. Saile, Jr., et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,433,
granted June 7, 1966; J. F. Abbott, U.S. Pat. No. 3,651,507, granted Mar.
21, 1972; and British Patent No. 338,849 to B. E. Foster, granted Jan. 21,
1931. However, these patents do not appear to include the following
features: (1) Accommodation to the complexities of tennis scoring,
including advantages, deuce games, and six games winning a set; (2) the
requirement of concurrence by both opponents in order to register a point;
(3) self-contained portable wireless input units carried by each player;
and (4) wireless input units for indicating whether one opponent or the
other opponent won successive points.
A principal object of the present invention is to avoid the arguments which
can arise in the course of tennis matches, when concentration on a
particular lengthy point may tend to cause the players to forget the
score. Additional objects of the present invention include provision of a
tennis scoring system which provides the features enumerated hereinabove.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one broad aspect of the invention, a tennis scoring
system is provided in which both of the two opponents are provided with
alternate input switches to indicate either that one opponent or the other
won the particular point which has just been completed. In addition, score
registering and displaying equipment is included in the system to register
and display scores only when concurrent signals are provided from both of
the two opponents.
In accordance with another broad feature of the invention, the two
opponents may be provided with miniature portable input units with input
switches for the wireless transmission of alternate signals to indicate
that one party or the other won the most recently played point.
In addition, the input switches are protected against inadvertent actuation
by recessing or comparable arrangements.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, electronic logic
circuitry is provided for recording, calculating, and indicating deuce
scores in tennis games and/or indicating which of the two opponents have
the advantage after the point following a deuce score.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, miniature wireless
transmitting and receiving equipment is provided for processing input
signals from each of the two opponents and for displaying the correct
tennis score at all times. A larger size receiver and display apparatus
may be provided for receiving signals from both players and visibly
displaying the score at the side of a tennis court; or alternatively, the
portable unit carried by each player may include substantially duplicate
scorekeeping and displaying arrangements so that a separate unit is not
required at the side of the courts or hanging on the tennis court fence.
In accordance with another broad aspect of the invention, first and second
electronic transmitting devices are provided to be operated by one side or
the other, respectively, to indicate which side won each successive point;
and the receiving and scoring unit includes a first circuit for storing a
preliminary indication as to which side won the point, and additional
logic circuitry for preventing the full recording and display of the point
if it is disputed by the other side.
A loud speaker may also be included in the system to provide a confirmatory
unique audio signal to indicate when one opponent or the other has won a
point or a game.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and
from the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic showing of the system of the invention in use in a
tennis court environment;
FIG. 2 shows an input unit about the size of a belt buckle to be carried by
one of two opponents in the tennis match;
FIG. 3 shows a receiver and tennis score calculator and display apparatus;
FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram indicating the initial processing of
signals received from the input units of FIG. 2 at the receiver of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a block circuit diagram of the complete system; and
FIG. 6 is a logic circuit diagram showing the scorekeeping logic circuitry
included in the receiver of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the system of the
invention in use. More specifically, FIG. 1 shows a tennis court 12
equipped with the usual tennis net 14 and fence 16, and is complete with
two opponents 18 and 20. The equipment making up the illustrative system
of the present invention includes the portable score input units 22 and
24, worn by the girl tennis players 18 and 20 at their waists, and the
tennis scorekeeping and display unit 26 which is mounted on fence 16, by
the hooks 28 and the clip 30.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are detailed showings of one of the score input units 22, and
the common scorekeeping and display unit 26, as shown in FIG. 1.
The input unit 22 of FIG. 2 is provided with belt clips or loops 32 for
securing the unit to a belt or to the waist. Recessed pushbutton switches
34 and 36 are provided to indicate which of the two opponents won the
preceding point. The units 22 and 24 are a matched pair and carry letters
"A" and "B," and a prior agreement is made between the parties as to which
designation shall apply to specific players. Each of the units 22 is a
miniature transmitter similar to the hand-held garage door operating
signallers, and transmits on one frequency or another depending on whether
pushbutton 34 or 36 representing point won by player A or player B,
respectively, was depressed, Of course, any suitable modulation scheme may
be employed to distinguish signals arising from depressing pushbutton 34
or 36, in accordance with principles well known in the art.
FIG. 3 is a detailed showing of the receiver, score-keeping circuit,
indicator and annunciator unit 26, which is employed in the version of the
present invention as illustrated in the drawings. More specifically, the
unit 26 includes an off-on switch 42, a clear switch 44, a speaker having
an output grille 46, and a number of electronic digital display arrays,
preferably of the light-emitting diode type. The display arrays include
identical displays for side A and side B, and more specifically include
the point indicating display arrays 48 and 50, and the game, set, and
match indicating digital display arrays 52, 54 and 56 for side A; and 58,
60, and 62 for side B. In addition, the indicator 64 represents a deuce
game, and the indicators 66 and 68, respectively, show that side A or side
B, respectively, have an advantage. As discussed below, the unit 26 may
provide distinct audio signals from speaker enclosure 46 indicating the
winner of specific points, and also of games, sets, and/or matches.
Referring to FIG. 4, this block circuit diagram indicates the input signal
processing at unit 26 for signals received as points won by side A or side
B, which are processed by circuits 72 and 74, respectively. More
specifically, referring for the moment to side A and circuit 72, the input
receivers 76 and 78 receive signals from input units 22 and 24, worn by
the opposing players as shown in FIG. 1. These signals, which may arrive
in succession, are applied to the Schmitt trigger circuits 80, to the
one-shot multi-vibrators 82 and to the flip-flops 84. Outputs from the
flip-flops 84 are applied to the AND circuit 86 and then to the
scorekeeping logic circuit 88. In addition, output pulses from AND gate 86
are applied to the inverter circuit 90 to clear flip-flops 84.
Incidentally, it may be noted that the one-shot multi-vibrators or
monostable multi-vibrators 82 are employed to avoid double counting in the
event that there is contact bounce or inadvertent double pressing of an
input pushbutton. Furthermore, it may also be noted that, if one opponent
initially depresses an A input pushbutton indicating that side A won the
point, note that this causes one of the flip-flops 84 to be set to its
energized state, but not the second of the flip-flops 84. Then, if both
parties depress the B pushbutton switch indicating that side B won the
point, the clear line 92 will be energized and all of the flip-flops will
be reset to their original state, and a pulse is transmitted to the B side
of the tennis score-keeping logic circuit 88.
Incidentally, it may be noted that conventional logic symbolism is employed
in the present circuits with an AND gate being represented by a circuit
block such as block 86 having a rounded output and a flat input side.
Amplifiers are represented by equilateral triangles, and inverting
amplifiers are shown by a triangle with a small circle at the output side
of the amplifier triangle. OR gates are shown by circuit symbols in which
the input side is concave, and the output sides come to a point.
The block diagram of FIG. 5 will now be considered. It overlaps to some
extent the system shown in prior figures of the drawing. More
specifically, the units 22 and 24 are shown at the top of FIG. 5, and as
mentioned above, each include two transmitters. Circuits 72 and 74 and the
associated receivers were considered in connection with FIG. 4 of the
drawings. These circuits serve to receive and condition the input pulses
transmitted by units 22 and 24 either for side A or for side B.
The various electronic numerical displays which were shown in FIG. 3 also
appear in FIG. 5 in terms of their location with respect to the circuit
diagram. These LED displays include the deuce array 64, the ad display
arrays 66 and 68, the point score arrays 48 and 50, the game score arrays
52 and 58, the set score arrays 54 and 60, and finally the match score
display arrays 56 and 62. With regard to the deuce score display arrays 64
and the ad score array 66 and 68, they may take the form of a "D" for
display 64, and as an "A" for the advantage displays 66 and 68.
Alternatively, because these three displays have only "on" and "off"
states, they may be implemented by a simple lamp bulb or a single LED of
high intensity. Of course, the use of the letters "D" and "A" have the
advantage of indicating to the players or the spectators the fact that it
is a deuce game or that one party has the advantage with more clarity.
Electronic digital displays may normally include seven or more segments.
Standard numerical display driver circuits are commercially available to
count or to register input binary signals and to display the indicated
decimal number through the use of such driver and latch circuitry which is
of standard configuration. Every hand-held calculator includes this type
of circuitry. In FIG. 5, the point, game, set, and match score counters
and the associated latch and display drivers are indicated by the blocks
91 through 98, with circuits 91 through 94 being associated with side A,
and circuits 95 through 98 being associated with side B.
The speaker 102 is energized from suitable audio circuitry 104 to provide
distinct audio output signals to indicate point, game, set, and match
registration action of the logic circuitry. Thus, for example, points
awarded to side A may be accompanied by a brief low-pitched note applied
over speaker 83, whereas points awarded to side B may be accompanied by a
higher pitched tone. Other simple and easily generated sounds may be
readily provided to respond to the other inputs to the audio circuitry.
Referring now to FIG. 6, this logic circuit diagram shows the detailed mode
of operation of the scorekeeping arrangements. More specifically, note
that input signal representing a point for side A appears at the output of
block 72 at the left-hand side of FIG. 6, while input signals representing
a point for side B appear at the output of circuit 74 at the right-hand
side of FIG. 6. AND gate 102 is therefore energized by the output from
circuit 72. The other input to the AND gate 102 is line 104, which is
referred to as the deuce line. It is normally in the high or positive
state, and shifts to the low state only when a deuce game of tennis is in
progress, as described hereinbelow. Accordingly, at the start of the
match, with the deuce line 104 providing a high input to the AND gate 102,
a pulse is gated through AND gate 102 to the point counter circuit 91.
Lead 106 connects to the sound enunciating circuit 104 which appears in
FIG. 5. When point counter 91 reaches 4, indicating that side A has won
the game, both of the inputs to AND gate 108 are energized, and the pulse
passes through OR gate 110, and a pulse is applied on lead 112 to the game
counter 92. A clear signal is also applied through OR gate 114 to the
clear input of point counter 91.
Now, considering the deuce function, when both point counters 91 and 95 are
simultaneously set to 3, the first two latch outputs Q.sub.A and Q.sub.B
of the binary counters 91 and 95 are energized, and this produces an
output from the AND gates 116 and 118, which in turn energizes the NAND
gate 120 to drive the deuce line 104 to its low state. This signal is
applied to the NOR circuit 122 which illuminates the deuce signal display
64 which appears at the top of FIG. 6. In addition, when the deuce line
104 is driven low, the inverter 124 supplies one positive input to the AND
gate 126. Upon the arrival of the next point for side A, the other input
to AND gate 126 is energized and flip-flop 128 is energized, causing its
output Q to go to the high state. OR gate 130 transmits the resultant
positive signal to the NOR gate 122 which turns off the display 64. AND
gate 132 is turned on, illuminating the ad display 134 and also sending an
indication signal to the annunciator circuit on line 136. Incidentally, as
previously mentioned, all of the arrows directed outwardly from the
circuit of FIG. 6 are connected to the annunciator circuit.
The circuitry described hereinabove for player A's side finds its
equivalent on player B's side, with the ad display 138 being illuminated
in the event of an ad for player B.
In the event that, following an advantage for player A, player B wins the
next point, both inputs to the NAND gate 140 are energized and the
resultant low signal is applied to the AND gates 142 and 144, thereby
clearing and resetting flip-flops 128, 146, 148, and 150. This removes the
inputs to AND gates 132 and 152, de-energizing the two
advantage-indicating LED's 134 and 138. With both flip-flops 128 and 150
being in their reset state, their "Q" outputs are low, thus producing a
low output from the OR gate 130. Since the other input to the NOR gate 122
is also low, the output from the NOR circuit 122 to the deuce signal LED
64 is high, and the deuce LED is energized with a concurrent signal being
applied to lead 154 to energize the audio annunciator circuit.
The aforementioned deuce-ad-deuce-ad states will repeat indefinitely as
long as players A and B alternately score points. If, however, either
player scores two consecutive points after deuce, a game point is
registered in much the same manner as described previously in connection
with a game which is won without going through the deuce sequence. More
specifically, assuming that a player "A" has won the first point following
a deuce, and that he has an ad, then flip-flop 128 is in the energized
state. Another point won by player A will cause the transmission of a
second pulse through the AND gate 126, thereby resetting flip-flop 128 and
setting flip-flop 146 to the energized state. This will transmit a high
signal from the "Q" output of flip-flop 146 through the OR gate 110, which
also receives game points from the point counter, latch, and LED driver
91, as described hereinabove. The action is clearing circuit 91 and in
transmitting a game signal to the game counter, latch and LED driver 92 is
the same as described hereinabove. It is also noted that a clear signal is
applied from the output of NOR gate 114 to the clear line 156. Further,
the clear signal is low, and this low is also applied to the AND gates 142
and 144, which pass a momentary low to clear and reset flip-flops 128,
146, 148, and 150. As soon as the positive signal at the output of
flip-flop 146 clears, the deuce line 104 and the clear line 156 revert to
their normal high states, and the point counting logic circuitry is ready
for the next game. Of course, the same holds true for the B side of the
logic circuitry.
Incidentally, with regard to the point counter displays 48 and 50, they may
either hold at the 3 count required for deuce, or they may be blanked out
by the blanking circuits 158 and 160 leading to the "B" input of point
counters 91 and 95, respectively, from the inverters 124 and 162, which
are high in the deuce state.
Now, referring to the game counters, latches and LED drivers 92 and 96,
these operate in much the same manner as described hereinabove for the
point counter circuits with the exception that the deuce and the ad
functions are not included. In addition, to accommodate the requirement in
tennis scoring that a set must be won by two games, the subtraction
circuit 164 and the two AND gates 166 and 168 are provided. The
subtraction circuit 164 provides an output to the two AND gates 166 and
168 whenever the difference between the games registered by the two games
counter circuits 92 and 96 is equal to or greater than two games. Assuming
that this is the case, whenever the outputs Q.sub.B and Q.sub.C from
either game counter 92 or 96 indicate an output of 6 and energize the AND
gates 170 or 172, the pulse is tranmitted through AND gate 166 or 168 and
the set counter 93 or 97 is advanced. Concurrently, inverters 174 and 176
provide resetting signals to the game counters 92 and 96.
As an optional feature, the match counters 94 and 98 may be provided to
total the number of matches won by each side.
Reset switch 44 may be provided to clear all of the displays.
Instead of employing a separate single unit to keep score and hanging this
unit on the side of the court, on the fence or the like, individual
scorekeeping units may be combined with the score input units. More
specifically, the unit of FIG. 3 may be combined with each of the two
units carried by the players, as shown in FIG. 2. Under these
circumstances small LED displays of the type shown in FIG. 3 may be
provided on each of the input units as shown in FIG. 2. With such an
arrangement, the complete circuit of FIG. 4 would be replicated at each of
the two portable units, and nearly all of the circuitry of FIG. 5 would
also be included. Of course, the local signals would not need a receiver,
but two transmitters would be used at each location to provide the feature
of confirmation to the other player, of the point being won by either
player A or player B. In addition, if desired, the audio circuitry feature
could be dropped, as this might involve more weight than would be desired
for carrying by each player. With logic circuitry being as compact as it
now is, the matter of replicating the logic circuitry of FIG. 6 would be
of minor consequence.
For completeness, it may be noted that in the foregoing description that
the digital numerical displays have been described as light emitting
diodes to indicate one practical alternative. It is to be understood that
any other desired form of indicator, such as liquid crystals, nixie tubes,
incandescent or fluorescent lamps, etc., could be used in accordance with
power requirements, cost, output illumination, and other factors. In the
description, side A and side B were employed; however, color coding of
switches and indicators or any other desired indicating system could be
used. It is also noted that, in FIGS. 2 and 3 certain specific
arrangements including hooks and/or metal loops were shown for securing
the units to the fence or to the apparel of the players. Other types of
loops, straps, clips, or other arrangements could of course be used to
supplement or instead of the indicated securing elements. With regard to
the switches shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the recessing serves to avoid
undesired operation by impact either by a tennis ball or the body, and
this result could be achieved by other arrangements such as double
switches, covers for the switches, for example. Concerning another minor
aspect of the present disclosure, antenna symbols appear in the drawings,
and represent the pickup or transmission points for the R.F. signals. They
may be implemented, as noted elsewhere in the specification in any
conventional manner.
Incidentally, concerning symbols which are used in the present drawings,
the pulse (.OMEGA.) symbol is the positive pulse incrementing input to
flip-flops, counters, and one-shot multivibrators, for example; Q is the
output of a digital device such as a flip-flop, and QB and QC represent
the outputs of successive stages of a counter; C is the "clear" input to a
flip-flop or a counter; and the symbol "B" adjacent a counter indicates a
blanking input.
Referring now to review the mode of operation of the system from a "logic"
point-of-view, it may be noted that, in the implementation disclosed
hereinabove, both sides have two input switches, one to record a point for
side "A," and another to record a point for side "B." In the logic
circuitry, when a first indication that side A won the point is received,
a preliminary indication is stored indicating that side A won the point;
however, if player B disputes the point and either sends an opposing
signal, or no confirming signal, no permanent recording in favor of A or
displaying of the changed score occurs. The logic circuitry for recording
the preliminary indication is one of the flip-flops 84 in FIG. 4, and
additional logic circuitry for preventing full recording and display if
the point is disputed includes the other flip-flop 84 and the AND circuit
86. It is noted in passing that much the same result could be accomplished
using only one input from each side, with slightly modified receiver and
processing circuitry. Thus, a preliminary indication would be recorded
upon the arrival of an "A" pulse, and after a predetermined time interval
(if no intervening signal arrives) this "A" pulse would be recorded and
displayed. However, if player B disputes the point, he would promptly
depress his input switch and the arrival of a "B" pulse would inhibit the
operation of the permanent scoring and display operation. With this
arrangement, of course, only one transmitter is required form each side.
Further, when two combined input and score-keeping units are used, without
a separate scorekeeping unit, only one transmitter would be required from
each unit.
In closing, it is to be understood that the present tennis scoring system
may be implemented in accordance with any desired electronic logic system
of components. Further, while the particular arrangement of AND, OR, NAND,
NOR gates, flip-flops, etc. as described in the present Detailed
Description constituted one effective and workable method for implementing
the present invention, other systems of logic components could also be
employed. Also, the input switches could be of the capacitive type
frequently used in elevators, or of any other convenient form. In
addition, while the present system is primarily intended for use in tennis
matches, it could also be employed in connection with other types of
sporting contests.
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