FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to management of penalties for sportspersons, and in particular to a control system and method of operation for managing a penalty box.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, a match official may use several tools to manage a sports match. For example, a coin to toss deciding the team initially in possession of the ball, red and yellow cards to indicate penalties and warnings, and watches to keep track of the game time and the accumulation of stoppage time.

Penalties awarded to a player of the sports game by the match official typically involve the player being sent from the field to a "penalty box" or "sin bin" for a period of time. Managing the players in the penalty box typically requires a match official to time the period of time awarded by the penalty. However, if more than one player is sent from the match at any one time, the match official has a difficult job of managing the penalties and players. Further, any match audience is typically excluded from knowledge of penalty status and penalty durations.

It is an object of the invention to go at least some way toward overcoming or at least ameliorating the one or more of the above mentioned problems or disadvantages, or which at least provides the public with a useful choice. In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention. Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed, in any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first broad aspect the invention consists in a system for managing one or more players penalised during a sports match, comprising :

one or more penalty zones, each zone comprising at least one sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a player in the penalty zone;

a user interface configured to allow input of a penalty parameter; and

a display configured to show information comprising the penalty parameter; a controller configured to:

connect to the at least one sensor of each zone, the display and the user interface, receive the penalty parameter from the user interface,

receive the signal indicative of a player in the penalty zone, then, output the penalty parameter to the display.

In some embodiments, the penalty parameter comprises a timer which counts down a time duration remaining for a penalty awarded for the player in the penalty zone. In some embodiments, the penalty parameter comprises a penalty type parameter, and the controller is further configured to determine a penalty time duration according to the penalty type received.

In some embodiments, the sensor is located on a seating surface and comprises at least one of a capacitive, pressure or light sensitive sensor, the sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a player seated and not seated on the seating surface.

In some embodiments, the controller, display and user input is facilitated by a portable computing device.

In some embodiments, the user interface is further configured to allow input of one or more of:

a penalty start time,

a penalty stop time,

a penalty duration reset, and/or

an option to change the penalty parameter.

In some embodiments, the user interface is further configured to allow input of:

an option to pause all penalty count down durations, and

an option to continue all penalty count down durations.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to connect to the sensor using a wireless interface. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a second display arranged to be viewed by a match audience, and the controller is further configured to output the penalty parameter to the second display. In some embodiments, the system further comprises an advertising database connected to the controller, and the controller is further configured to receive advertising from the database and output the advertising for display when either no signal indicative of a player in the penalty zone is received, or, a penalty duration has elapsed.

In some embodiments, the at least one sensor is housed in an overlay adapted for retrofitment to a pre-existing seat.

In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to output the penalty parameter to a television broadcast system.

In another broad aspect the invention consists in a method for managing one or more players penalised during a sports match on a hand held computer device comprising a display screen and a user interface, comprising the steps of:

transmitting a signal indicative of a player sensed in one or more penalty zones to the computer device;

receiving the signal indicative of the player in the penalty zone from the computer device;

receiving a penalty parameter from the user interface;

displaying the penalty parameter on the display when the signal indicative of a player sensed in one or more penalty zones is received.

In some embodiments, the penalty parameter comprises a time duration, the computer device operable to count down the time duration remaining for a penalty awarded for the player in the penalty zone.

In some embodiments, the penalty parameter comprises a penalty type parameter, and the method further comprises determining a penalty time duration according to a penalty type received.

In some embodiments, the user interface is further configured to allow input of one or more of:

a penalty start time,

a penalty stop time,

a penalty duration reset, and/or

an option to change the penalty parameter.

In some embodiments, the user interface is further configured to allow input of: an option to pause all penalty count down durations, and

an option to continue all penalty count down durations.

In some embodiments, the sensed signal is transmitted wirelessly.

In another broad aspect the invention consists in a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute a visual display generating process, the process comprising the steps of any one of the above method steps. In another broad aspect the invention consists in a device operable to allow

management of one or more players penalised during a sports match, comprising :

a portable computing device comprising a user interface configured to allow input of a penalty parameter and a display configured to show information comprising the penalty parameter;

a communication module configured to connect to one or more remote penalty zones, each zone comprising at least one sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a player in the penalty zone;

wherein the device is configured to:

receive the penalty parameter from the user interface,

receive the signal indicative of a player in the penalty zone, then, output the penalty parameter to the display.

In some embodiments, the penalty parameter comprises a timer which counts down a time duration remaining for a penalty awarded for the player in the penalty zone.

In some embodiments, the penalty parameter comprises a penalty type parameter, and the controller is further configured to determine a penalty time duration according to the penalty type received. In some embodiments, the sensor is located on a seating surface and comprises at least one of a capacitive, pressure or light sensitive sensor, the sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a player seated and not seated on the seating surface.

In some embodiments, the user interface is further configured to allow input of one or more of:

a penalty start time,

a penalty stop time,

a penalty duration reset, and/or an option to change the penalty parameter.

In some embodiments, the user interface is further configured to allow input of:

an option to pause all penalty count down durations, and

an option to continue all penalty count down duration.

In some embodiments, the portable computing device is configured to connect to the sensor using a wireless interface. In some embodiments, the portable computing device is further configured to connect to a second display arranged to be viewed by a match audience.

In some embodiments, the at least one sensor is housed in an overlay adapted for retrofitment to a pre-existing seat.

In some embodiments, the portable computing device is further configured to output the penalty parameter to a television broadcast system.

The following embodiments may relate to any of the above aspects. Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used in this specification, the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both. As used herein, "computer-readable medium" excludes any transitory signals but includes any non-transitory data storage circuitry, e.g., buffers, cache, and queues, within transceivers of transitory signals.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which :

Figure 1 shows an exemplary implementation of a system including exemplary informational inputs and outputs.

Figure 2 shows an example of how sensors may be configured to detect a player undertaking a penalty.

Figure 3 shows a preferred exemplary embodiment of the system that includes a plurality of sensors, each corresponding to an individual player penalty seat, and connected to an interface.

Figure 4 shows an example of a user interface.

Figure 5 shows a diagram of a process of an exemplary system in operation.

Figure 6 shows an example of a sensor housing for retrofitment to an existing seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

Exemplary embodiments of a system, method and apparatus for managing players in a game are presented herein. In particular, managing players who have been sent from the field of play by a match official for an infringement that justifies time off the field.

According to a first exemplary embodiment, a match penalty management system is generally accessed via a computing device. Preferably the computing device is a wireless hand held device such as a tablet computer or smart phone. The computing device is generally in communication with a network via wireless communications methods, for example, WIFI, satellite communications, Bluetooth, or other wireless methods.

A user, for example, a match official, inputs information pertaining to a penalty assigned to one or more players during a match being played, however, may also include additional information such as team names, player names and/or numbers, and the scheduled length of time for the match.

Penalty information generally relates to a player being sent from the field of play. The penalty information may include, for example, information relating to the duration of the penalty and the type of penalty. For example, a match official of a sport with the power to award penalties may award a player penalty such as a yellow card, a nd penalty time such as five minutes. Where more than one penalty is awarded at any one time, the information may also include information identifying the particular player a penalty applies to.

Exemplary embodiments also include supporting hardware that supports accurate penalty time keeping . A penalty begins from the time a player leaves the field, enters a penalty punishment zone, or takes a seat upon a designated punishment platform. The penalised player will typically spend their penalty time in a box or on a seat or bench to which offending players can be sent for a period as a penalty during a game.

In some exemplary embodiments, accurate time keeping of penalty time is facilitated by providing one or more seats upon which a penalised player is to sit. The seat includes one or more sensors for detecting when a player is sitting on the penalty seat. In other exemplary embodiments, accurate time keeping is facilitated by a sensor detecting when a player has entered a designated penalty zone. In such embodiments, the sensor is configured to output a signal to the computing device of the match official . The sensor signal may be used to alert the match official that the player is at the penalty seat or zone, and/or may be used to trigger a timer to automatically count down the duration of the penalty.

In some embodiments, the time duration of a penalty under progress is provided to a display. The display may be provided on the hand held device operated by the match official, and/or it may be a display provided for the audience of a match such as the displays typically provided in a sports a rena . When no penalties are taking place, any display may be used to show other information related to the match, and/or advertising . Where applicable, various embodiments provided by the present disclosure may be implemented using hardware, softwa re, or combinations of hardwa re and softwa re. Also, where applicable, the various hardware components and/or software components set forth herein may be combined into composite components comprising software, hardware, and/or both without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Where applicable, the va rious hardware components and/or softwa re components set forth herein may be separated into sub-components comprising softwa re, ha rdware, or both without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, where applicable, it is contemplated that software components may be implemented as hardware components a nd vice-versa .

Softwa re in accordance with the present disclosure, such as prog ram code and/or data, may be stored on one or more computer readable mediums. It is also contemplated that softwa re identified herein may be implemented using one or more general purpose or specific purpose computers and/or computer systems, networked and/or otherwise. Where applicable, the ordering of va rious steps described herein may be changed, combined into composite steps, and/or separated into sub-steps to provide features described herein . The system may be implemented on one or more computers. The computer includes a processor (otherwise referred to as a computing device and/or controller) connected by a data bus network to other components such as memory, a storage unit, a

communication interface, a display and one or more user interface devices such as a mouse and keyboard .

The user input devices include allowing a user to input an action to the computer, such as selecting keys from a keyboard, selecti ng one or more buttons or links. The signals from the user input devices are sent to the processor. Optionally, audio input/output components are included to allow, for example, voice commands and dictatorial input.

The processor could be a microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), programmable logic controller (PLC), application specific integrated circuits or other processing component. The processor is configured to process va rious signals, such as signals from the user interface. The processor may be configured to display information on the display. The processor is configured to execute computer-readable program instructions that are stored in data storage and are executable to provide desired processing functionality. The computer system performs specific operations by the processor and other components by executing one or more sequences of instructions to perform a function. In another example, the processor may be configured to interface with the

communication interface, which in turn is capable of sending and receiving instructions via a network such as the internet. The desired functions of the processor may be contained as computer-readable instructions such as code. The code may be stored locally on a computer readable medium such as the storage device or sourced from a location external to the computer. A computer readable medium may refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.

In various implementations, non-volatile media includes optical or magnetic disks, volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as system memory component, and transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire, and fibre optics. In one embodiment, the logic is encoded in non-transitory computer readable medium. In one example, transmission media may take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave, optical, and infrared data communications. Some common forms of computer readable media includes, for example, floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer is adapted to read. The processor is ideally configured to control the transmission of information with other devices. Other devices may include, for example, other computers, servers or networks. The network may be wired, wireless, or a combination of both.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, execution of instruction sequences to practice the present disclosure may be performed by computer system. In various other embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of computer systems coupled by communication link to a network (e.g ., such as a LAN, WLAN, PTSN, and/or various other wired or wireless networks, including telecommunications, mobile, and cellular phone networks) may perform instruction sequences in coordination with one another.

Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a system 100 according to a preferred embodiment, including exemplary informational inputs and outputs. In particular, the core of the system 100 is a controller 101 linked to one or more sensors 102 and one or more displays 106.

The system is described in terms of functional block diagrams and various processing steps. It should be appreciated that such functional blocks may be realised in many different forms of hardware, firmware, and/or software components configured to perform the various functions. For example, the system may employ various integrated circuit components such as memory elements, digital signal processing elements, lookup tables, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices.

The controller 101 may include or be implemented by any number of processor elements such as microprocessors and central processing units, memory elements, power supplies, and other functional components as necessary such as a graphical processing unit (GPU) 107 to support the operation of a display. In this respect, the processor may include or cooperate with any number of software programs or instructions designed to carry out various methods, process tasks, calculations, control functions, and the generation of display signals and other data used by display. The controller 101 is preferably supported by a storage 103 accessed locally or remotely. The storage unit 103 may be used to store machine readable instructions that are provided to the controller for execution. The storage unit may also include memory acting in support of the controller operation. One or more sensors 102 are connected to the controller 101 by a wired or wireless interface. The sensors 102 are configured to detect a player is undertaking a penalty.

The system 100 further includes a communication interface device 105, such as a wireless interface for connection to a network, such as the Internet or an intranet. The communication interface 105 may be used to facilitate communication between the controller and the one or more sensors 102, and further facilitate communication with the one or more display devices 106.

A timer or clock 108 is connected to the controller 101 to facilitate time management. The clock reference may be generated internally by the controller, such as derived from a clock signal of a microprocessor, or the clock reference may be provided by an external reference provided, for example, via the communication interface 105. A user interface 104 is optionally provided to allow input of data such as penalty duration, starting and stopping a penalty timer. The user interface may include one or more buttons selectable by a user to control aspects of the penalty management system. Figure 2 shows an example of how sensors may be configured to detect a player undertaking a penalty. In the depicted example, two chairs 110 located in a penalty zone or "sin bin" are constructed with an accompanying sensor 102. The sensor 102 may be any number of sensor types operable to output a signal that can be interpreted as a player being on the seat or not. For example, the sensor 102 may be, but is not limited to, a capacitive based touch sensor, pressure sensor or light sensor.

The output of the sensors 102 is conveyed directly or indirectly to the controller 101. Some sensors may require, for example, electronics to correctly interface and support the sensor type. Supporting electronics may include a power source, a signal buffer, and a wired or wireless communication interface for transmitting the sensor signals to the controller 101.

Figure 3 shows a preferred exemplary embodiment of the system 100 that includes a plurality of sensors 102, each corresponding to an individual player penalty seat, and connected to an interface 120. The interface 120 may contain any of the

abovementioned supporting electronics and preferably includes a wireless interface 121 for communication to a remote located controller 101. It is envisaged that short range (up to fifty metres) communication is best facilitated by Bluetooth wireless transceiver hardware.

The controller 101 is configured to receive the signals, or a signal indicative of the status of the sensors, in order to control the penalty duration. The controller 101 is configured to output the penalty duration information for display by one or more displays 106. The display may be a display for a match official, a match audience, or both.

Figure 6 shows another example of how the sensors 102 may be implemented where the sensors 102 are provided as part of an overlay for placement on a pre-existing seat 110. The overlay may be, for example, a cushion 111 that houses the sensor 102 and optionally the sensor interface 120. To help secure the cushion 111 to the seat 110, one or more straps 112 may be provided. Housing the sensor 102 and/or interface 120 in an overlay allows ease of retrofitment with any seating that may already exist at a match venue. In some embodiments, an overlay for a seat is provided where the overlay contains several sensors for individual player detection. Such an overlay may be best suited for a bench seat. However, a bench seat may not have clearly marked individual seating spaces clearly allocated. Colour or another visual indication on the surface of the overlay may be provided to indicate an allocated zone for a player to sit.

Figure 4 shows an example of a user interface 130. The user interface 130 may be provided on a display 106 that is part of a portable computing device such as a smartphone or tablet. Similarly, the user interface 130 includes a user input in the form of buttons selectable by a user by way of a touch sensitive interface or selectable by an external device such as a mouse or touchpad.

In the example depiction, the user interface 130 depicts four columns of information and control that can correspond to four individual players under penalty. Each column has: · a seat identification 138 that corresponds to a physical seat in the penalty zone and optically includes an indication of the penalty type such as a yellow card ;

• a penalty duration readout 131 that counts down a time remaining for a player and any given penalty;

• a start button 132 that may be used to manually start a penalty duration;

· a stop button 133 that may be used to manually stop a penalty duration;

• a reset button 134 that may be used to manually restart a penalty duration; and

• a change card button 135 that may be used to change the type of penalty awarded, and therefore the penalty duration associated with the type of penalty. The interface may also include global button selections such as a stop all 136 and start all 137 buttons. These buttons may be usefully employed should match play temporarily stop for any particular reason. In some embodiments, the controller 101 is configured to receive a signal from a match clock and when the match clock is temporarily stopped, any penalty times elapsed are temporarily paused such that any penalty duration is only consumed during match play duration. Temporary match stoppages may be caused by, for example, injuries stoppages, time out elections or a half time break.

When a player is sin binned, they are to sit on a vacant seat. As soon as they sit down, a countdown for that seat begins, and is displayed by the controller, as well as on any large display. In this way, match officials, the penalised player, and spectators can see how long the player has to go before they can return to the field and re-join the game. According to one example, most applicable to a field hockey match, a default card for any seat is "Green" which is a two minute countdown. If the player has been sent off with a "Yellow" card, the countdown for that seat can be changed by selecting the penalty type input 138.

If a player is mis-behaving while in the penalty zone, the match officials can override the countdown as follows:

• a countdown for any sin binned player can be stopped and restarted;

• a penalty originally issued, for any penalised player, can be changed;

· a Green Card can be changed to a five minute Yellow, and a five minute Yellow can be changed to a 10 minute Yellow;

• all seats can be paused and restarted at the same time using the stop all 136 and start all buttons 137. According to one preferred embodiment, the controller 101 is based on a "Raspberry Pi 3" single board Linux computer and the display 106 is a seven inch touch screen display which also facilitates the user input interface 104.

The controller runs machine executable instructions located in the storage 103 to control the operation of the penalty management system.

In some embodiments, the controller operates without the seats 110, sensors 102 or any display for an audience. In this embodiment, the penalty duration information is displayed only to the match officials who are then responsible for advising penalised players when they can return to the game.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a communications link with external parties such as a television broadcast system. The controller 101 is configured to relay data relating to a penalty that has been awarded to the television broadcast system for use in providing match data to a television audience by way of an onscreen display overlay or similar. The controller may also be configured to store penalty data that has been awarded during a match into storage 103 for later transmission to an external party for post-match analysis. Figure 5 shows a diagram of a process of the aforementioned system in operation. At step 150, a signal from the sensor 102 is transmitted to the handheld computing device operated by a match official. The signal from the sensor 102 is indicative of a player sensed in one or more penalty zones such as sitting on a seat in a sin bin area and received by the computing device at step 151.

At step 152, penalty parameters are retrieved, either from the user interface 104, or directly from a database 103 of stored, predetermined parameters including penalty types and a penalty time duration associated with the penalty types.

At step 153, the penalty time duration information is sent to one or more displays 106, such a display arranged for a match official, or a display for a match audience.

Such general techniques are known to those skilled in the art and are not described in detail herein. Moreover, it should be understood that the exemplary process illustrated may include additional or fewer steps or may be performed in the context of a larger processing scheme. Furthermore, the various methods presented in the drawing Figures or the specification are not to be construed as limiting the order in which the individual processing steps may be performed.

It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the disclosure.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were individually set forth. Although the invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/or improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.