US-12623136-B2 - Methods, devices, and systems for facilitating officials during a sporting event

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices for facilitating officials during a sporting event. According to one embodiment, a device is disclosed including a processor, a memory electrically coupled with the processor, a microphone interface electrically coupled with the processor, a user interface electrically coupled with the processor, a haptic feedback device electrically coupled with the processor; and a wireless transceiver electrically coupled with the processor. The processor is configured for receiving a first audio signal via the microphone interface; determining the first audio signal is associated with a first whistle blow; and upon determining the first audio signal is associated with the first whistle blow, transmitting a first device message via the wireless transceiver to an access point; receiving a first access point acknowledgment message from the access point; and upon receiving the first access point acknowledgement message, activating the haptic feedback device for a first period of time.

Inventors

• Keith David Fogleman
• Benjamin W. Bomer
• Freddie L. Davis
• Belvin S. Freeman
• Daniel J. Conti

Assignees

• USTOPIT, INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20240116

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A mobile device for facilitating an official of a sporting event, the mobile device comprising: a processor; a memory electrically coupled with the processor; a microphone interface electrically coupled with the processor; a user interface electrically coupled with the processor; a haptic feedback device electrically coupled with the processor; and a wireless transceiver electrically coupled with the processor, wherein the processor is configured for: receiving a first audio signal via the microphone interface; determining the first audio signal is associated with a first whistle blow; and upon determining the first audio signal is associated with the first whistle blow, transmitting a first device message via the wireless transceiver to an access point; receiving a first access point acknowledgment message from the access point; and upon receiving the first access point acknowledgement message, activating the haptic feedback device for a first period of time; receiving a first device command from the user interface; upon receiving the first device command, transmitting a second device message to the access point and activating the haptic feedback device for a second period of time, wherein: the access point is electrically coupled with a scoreboard controller; the access point is configured for: transmitting a first access point message to the scoreboard controller upon receiving the first device message; and transmitting a second access point message to the scoreboard controller upon receiving the second device message; the first access point message is configured to stop a game clock associated with the scoreboard controller; and the second access point message is configured to start the game clock associated with the scoreboard controller.
2. 2 . The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured for: receiving a third access point message via the wireless transceiver, wherein the third access point message is associated with a second whistle blow detected by another mobile device; and upon receiving the third access point message, activating the haptic feedback device for a third period of time.
3. 3 . The mobile device of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured for: receiving a fourth access point message via the wireless transceiver, wherein the fourth access point message is associated with a start of the game clock; and upon receiving the fourth access point message, activating the haptic feedback device for a fourth period of time.
4. 4 . The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a push button.
5. 5 . The mobile device of claim 1 further comprising a belt clip.
6. 6 . The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the microphone interface is configured to be electrically coupled with a lavalier microphone.
7. 7 . The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the microphone interface is configured to be wirelessly coupled with a microphone.
8. 8 . The mobile device of claim 7 , wherein the microphone interface is a wireless personal area network (PAN) interface.
9. 9 . The mobile device of claim 8 , wherein the microphone interface is compliant to at least one version of a Bluetooth® standard.
10. 10 . The mobile device of claim 1 further comprising a rechargeable battery.
11. 11 . The mobile device of claim 10 further the rechargeable battery is a lithium-ion rechargeable battery.
12. 12 . The mobile device of claim 10 further comprising a charging port electrically coupled with the rechargeable battery.
13. 13 . The mobile device of claim 12 , wherein the charging port is compliant to a universal serial bus (USB) charger.
14. 14 . The mobile device of claim 12 , wherein the charging port is a wireless charging port.
15. 15 . The mobile device of claim 1 further comprising a display electrically coupled with the processor.
16. 16 . The mobile device of claim 15 wherein the display is configured to provide a game status of the sporting event.
17. 17 . The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein determining the first audio signal is associated with the first whistle blow comprises determining a spectral component within the first audio signal above predetermined sound pressure threshold and having a frequency component between 2700 Hertz and 4700 Hertz.
18. 18 . A method for facilitating an official of a sporting event, the method comprising: receiving a first audio signal via a microphone interface of a mobile device, the mobile device comprising: a processor electrically with the microphone interface; a memory electrically coupled with the processor; a user interface electrically coupled with the processor; a haptic feedback device electrically coupled with the processor; and a wireless transceiver electrically coupled with the processor; determining the first audio signal is associated with a first whistle blow; upon determining the first audio signal is associated with the first whistle blow, transmitting a first device message via the wireless transceiver to an access point; receiving a first access point acknowledgment message from the access point; and upon receiving the first access point acknowledgement message, activating the haptic feedback device for a first period of time; receiving a first device command from the user interface; upon receiving the first device command, transmitting a second device message to the access point and activating the haptic feedback device for a second period of time, wherein: the access point is electrically coupled with a scoreboard controller; the access point is configured for: transmitting a first access point message to the scoreboard controller upon receiving the first device message; and transmitting a second access point message to the scoreboard controller upon receiving the second device message; the first access point message is configured to stop a game clock associated with the scoreboard controller; and the second access point message is configured to start the game clock associated with the scoreboard controller.
19. 19 . The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the predetermined sound pressure threshold is between 104 decibels and 116 decibels.
20. 20 . The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the predetermined sound pressure threshold is configurable automatically based on background noise.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM This application is a continuation of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2022/073789 entitled “METHODS, DEVICES, AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING OFFICIALS DURING A SPORTING EVENT,” which was filed on Jul. 15, 2022, which claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/222,715 titled “IMPROVED METHODS, DEVICES, AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING OFFICIALS DURING A SPORTING EVENT,” filed Jul. 16, 2021, the contents of both of which are incorporated by reference herein. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a mobile device and more specifically to methods, devices, and systems for facilitating officials during a sporting event. BACKGROUND A key requirement in officiating sporting events (e.g. basketball games, etc.) is providing accurate and fair timekeeping. Timekeepers have to listen carefully for an on court referee whistle blow and as quickly as possible have to stop the game clock. Additionally, they have to watch for the indication from the referee to start the game clock. Any delay and/or failure to accurately stop or start the game clock requires game delay for the timekeeper to rewind the game clock to the correct setting. Such errors further delay the game and cause players, coaches, and fans much concern while putting uncertainty into the overall outcome of the game. Accordingly, a need exists to better facilitate officials during sporting events including accurate and fair timekeeping. SUMMARY The presently disclosed subject matter is directed toward methods, devices, and systems for facilitating officials during a sporting event. According to one embodiment, a device is disclosed including a processor, a memory electrically coupled with the processor, a microphone interface electrically coupled with the processor, a user interface electrically coupled with the processor, a haptic feedback device electrically coupled with the processor; and a wireless transceiver electrically coupled with the processor. The processor is configured for receiving a first audio signal via the microphone interface; determining the first audio signal is associated with a first whistle blow; and upon determining the first audio signal is associated with the first whistle blow, transmitting a first device message via the wireless transceiver to an access point; receiving a first access point acknowledgment message from the access point; and upon receiving the first access point acknowledgement message, activating the haptic feedback device for a first period of time. The access point is electrically coupled with a scoreboard controller. In some embodiments, the access point may be configured for transmitting a first access point message to the scoreboard controller upon receiving the first device message. In some embodiments, the first access point message may be configured to stop a game clock associated with the scoreboard controller. In some embodiments, the processor may be further configured for receiving a first device command from the user interface; and upon receiving the first device command, transmitting a second device message to the access point; and activating the haptic feedback device for a second period of time. The access point may be further configured to transmit a second access point message to the scoreboard controller upon receiving the second device message. The second access point message may be configured to start the game clock. In some embodiments, the processor may be further configured for receiving a third access point message via the wireless transceiver; and upon receiving the third access point message, activating the haptic feedback device for a third period of time. The third access point message may be associated with a second whistle blow detected by another mobile device. In some embodiments, the processor may be further configured for receiving a fourth access point message via the wireless transceiver; and upon receiving the fourth access point message, activating the haptic feedback device for a fourth period of time. The fourth access point message may be associated with a start of the game clock. In some embodiments, the user interface may include a push button. In some embodiments, the mobile device further may include a belt clip. In some embodiments, the microphone interface may be configured to be electrically coupled with a lavalier microphone. In other embodiments, the microphone interface may be configured to be wirelessly coupled with a microphone. In certain embodiments the microphone interface may be a wireless personal area network (PAN) interface. The microphone interface may be compliant to at least one version of a Bluetooth® standard. In some embodiments, the mobile device may further include a rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery may be a lithium-ion rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, the mobile device may further include a charging port electrically coupled with the rechargeable battery. In certain emb