WO/2012/054255 | WEIGHT-LIFTING EXERCISE MACHINE |
US20140081437A1 | 2014-03-20 | |||
US20120202599A1 | 2012-08-09 | |||
US20140121013A1 | 2014-05-01 | |||
US20100279753A1 | 2010-11-04 | |||
US20060252476A1 | 2006-11-09 |
IX. CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A method for ranking performance of a sports team during the course of a single game comprised of the steps of: observing a first team in an offensive role for a first scoring event; assigning the first scoring event a predetermined first numerical value; recording the first numerical value in a computer readable medium and adding it to a first sum; observing a first team in a defensive role for a second scoring event; assigning the second scoring event a predetermined second numerical value; recording the second numerical value in a computer readable medium and adding it to a first sum; observing a second team in an offensive role for a third scoring event; assigning the third scoring event a predetermined third numerical value; recording the third numerical value in a computer readable medium and adding it to a second sum; observing a second team in a defensive role for a fourth scoring event; assigning the fourth scoring event a predetermined fourth numerical value; recording the fourth numerical value in a computer readable medium and adding it to a second sum; during the game broadcasting the first sum and the second sum in a human understandable format; comparing the first sum and second sum at the end of the game and broadcasting a report of the team with a greater sum as a prevailing team. 2. A method for ranking performance of a sports team as in claim 1 further characterized in that the defensive scoring event is any of a fumble recovery, interception or other turnover, a quarterback sack, forcing a punt or stripping the ball from an offensive player. 3. A method for ranking performance of a sports team during the course of a single game comprised of the steps of: observing a first team in a defensive role for a first scoring event; assigning the first scoring event a predetermined first numerical value; recording the first numerical value in a computer readable medium and adding it to a first sum; observing a second team in a defensive role for a second scoring event; assigning the second scoring event a predetermined second numerical value; recording the second numerical value in a computer readable medium and adding it to a second sum; during the game broadcasting the first sum and the second sum in a human understandable format; comparing the first sum and second sum at the end of the game and broadcasting a report of the team with a greater sum as a prevailing team. |
motivation to attempt to score for his team. In a similar manner, a hockey player can at one moment be making an offensive drive toward the opposing goal and then be stripped of the puck and is instantly then, with the rest of his team, defending against his opponent and protecting his own team's goal. Returning to figure 1, it can be observed that it basically includes a series of observations of a game of both teams, each having an offensive squad and defensive squad. In figure 1 a portion of the game is depicted. In step 12 a first team's offensive squad and an opposing second team's defensive squad compete against each other during a game. By mere way of illustration a football game is used to flesh out an example. Virtually any sport or other contest could also be fit into this method. At step 14, throughout the game an observer, such as a scorekeeper or referee, observes the first team's offensive squad for an offensive scoring event. In this football example the offensive scoring event could be a touchdown, field goal, safety, extra point or conversion. In this sense the scoring is similar to a typical and well known football game scoring system. When an offensive scoring event is detected, meaning observed by the scorekeeper, referee or other game official then a predetermined numerical value associated with that offensive scoring event is awarded. For example six points to the team whose offensive squad scored the touchdown. This score is then recorded in a computer readable medium. This could be a score keeping computer. With similar effect the score could be recorded on paper with pencil or other available means to record the fact that points were awarded to a team. Then, that predetermined numerical value, the points awarded, is added to a first sum which is the overall score for that team. The score is then recorded in a computer readable medium where it can be saved, recalled and have additions made for future scoring events for that team. During the same course of play as described immediately above in step 14, the present method materially departs from all known processes and methods to evaluate a team in step 16. In step 16, throughout the game an observer, possibly the same or similar official or referee as observing the other team's offense, observes the second team's defensive squad for a defensive scoring event. For example a scoring event could be a safety, a fumble recovery, interception or other turnover, forcing a punt, a quarterback sack, stripping the ball or other specific action beneficial to the defending team. To elaborate for clarity of one scoring event, forcing a punt is important in a football example. Under the traditional rules, when a team in possession of the ball is considering their options on a fourth down, they can attempt an advancing play for a new down or can punt the ball downfield. The punt downfield will normally result in turning possession to the receiving team and put that receiving team far from the opposing goal. Obviously, this makes a long run for their offensive chances during their possession. Continuing this example, in the present system, the offensive team situated with a fourth down is now faced with the reality that a punt will give a point (or two) to the receiving team for having forced a turnover of possession. Now, there may be pressure for the offensive team on a fourth down to attempt to advance the ball and retain possession rather that punt downfield a relinquishing possession. Further in this example, with an offensive team on a fourth down it may be possible to attempt a field goal. The probability of a successful field goal decreases with the distance from the goal posts. An unsuccessful field goal attempt may be a defensive scoring event for forcing the other team into that precarious position. On the other hand, a successful field goal should not reward the defense. As can now be seen, the pressures and strategic thought process may be different than under traditional rules. The action of the game will be increased. The likelihood of a tie and subsequent overtime will be similarly reduced. It should be noted that in the traditional football scoring rubric defensive successes are typically not awarded points to the defending team. In this presently described arrangement the fruitful behavior and achievements of the defense contributes to the overall score of the whole team. It should now be appreciated that an offensive squad may now have pressure to behave differently. Instead of having relatively low point risk for play that might expose the quarterback to a sack, now the offense could be exposed to consider their respective defense to protect the integrity of the quarterback. In another one of many possible repercussions of this new scoring method, a team may have different considerations when deciding whether to punt or make a play to advance the ball on their own terms when faced with a fourth down situation. In a sense, the lines of distinction between which is the offensive squad and which is the defensive squad are blurred. Both offense and defense can now score and both offense and defense can risk giving away points by certain actions. Returning to the example, when a defensive scoring event is detected, again by the scoring official, then a predetermined numerical value associated with that defensive scoring event is recorded in a computer readable medium. Similar to offensive scoring that recording is commonly done with a computer and appropriate software or by other available recording means. That predetermined numerical value is added to a second sum, the score of the team now characterized as defensive, and recorded in a computer readable medium. Continuing this example in step 18, a swap of each teams' defensive squad for offensive squad and offensive squad for defensive squad is shown. This is a familiar event in football as the team with possession of the ball shifts from one team to the other as squads are exchanges on the field. As noted above, this characteristic role of being offense or defense does not necessarily mean a change of the players on the field. This is because a single player at one moment can be either defensive or offensive and then, due to the course of events of a play, can change to the converse role. In similar fashion to steps 14 and 16, above, steps 20 and 22 show that both the offensive squad of the second team as well as the defensive squad of the first team each now have an opportunity to score points for their respective teams. When a predetermined action, such as a touch down, field goal, safety, extra point or conversion, occurs then the offensive team is awarded points. Likewise, when a fumble recovery, interception or other turnover, a quarterback sack or stripping the ball occurs then the defensive squad responsible for that action is credited with achieving points for the team overall and that teams score is appropriately increased with that
predetermined numerical value (points). As with the scenario in figure 1, the converse field in figure 2 also has the points recorded in a computer readable or human readable medium and that teams score is summed to reflect the total points earned by both the defense and offense of that team. Figure 3 continues with this football example, in step 24 at least at some point during the game the sums or scores for the first and second teams are displayed in a human readable format. This could be done by means of a visual display, such as score board. An alternate format that could be understood by a person could be an audible broadcast of the then current scores. Step 26 is contemplated at the end of the regularly timed play. For example, the clock on the fourth quarter has finally run out, typically the end of regulation play. It is at this point that the winner and loser of the game are determined, recorded and announced. Steps 28, 30 and 32 show the three possible outcomes at the end of the regulation clock. In step 28 the first team prevails and this is reported on the score board or other humanly understandable announcement. In step 30 the second team has a greater score and prevails and this outcome is similarly proclaimed. Or, in step 32 the first team and second team have the same score. It should be noted that with both defensive and offensive teams theoretically scoring points throughout the game that a 'tie', as in step 32, is a relatively unlikely outcome. However, in the event of equal scores then a special contest can be determinative of the final result. For example, a sudden death situation where the next team to score any point could be the prevailing team. Other tie breaking events could also be employed and remain within the scope of this invention. It should be understood that this method and system of comparing teams can be applied to other sports. For example, in baseball the defensive team is on the field while the offensive team is at bat. Under the historical rules, only the batting team can score by earning run. The excellence of the defense cannot directly score, although they can benefit their team by limiting the opposing team's scoring opportunities. Continuing this baseball example, by using the presently described approach, a defensive scoring event could be, for example, when a pitcher pitches a no hit inning, thus awarding that pitcher's team a point (run) or two. Another defensive scoring event might be a double or a triple play by the fielders. Again this could be worth a preset value. Other defensive plays that show the excellence of a defensive play could equally be characterized as a defensive scoring event. A version of the present invention can be fairly described as a method for ranking performance of a sports team during the course of a single game comprised of the steps of observing a first team in an offensive role for a first scoring event and then assigning that first scoring event a predetermined first numerical value. This first numerical value is recorded in a computer readable medium, such as a computer and adding it to a first sum. The first sum is essentially a running tally of the total points achieved by the first team. Simultaneously, an observer observes a first team in a defensive role for a second scoring event. The defensive role is generally defined by the team at the moment with the traditional role of preventing the opposing team from scoring or gaining an advantage. The second scoring event is assigned a predetermined second numerical value. That value, and all the scoring event values are decided before play begins. The second numerical value is recorded in a computer readable medium and adding it to a first sum. Likewise and at the same time a second team is observed in an offensive role for a third scoring event and then the third scoring event is assigned a predetermined third numerical value. The third numerical value is recorded in a computer readable medium and adding it to a second sum. The second sum is essentially a score of the second team. Simultaneously, a second team is observed in a defensive role for a fourth scoring event and once detected then the fourth scoring event is assigned a predetermined fourth numerical value. The fourth numerical value is recorded in a computer readable medium, such as memory in a computer, and is then added to a second sum. Also simultaneously during the game broadcasting the first sum and the second sum are broadcasted in a human understandable format such as audibly or visually. At the end of the game the first sum and second sum are compared and broadcasted in a report with the team with a greater score identified as a prevailing team. In a version of this method the defensive scoring event is any of a fumble recovery, interception or other turnover, a quarterback sack, forcing a punt or stripping the ball from an offensive player. In another version of the invention the data resulting from the defensive scoring can be utilized for ranking, measuring or betting on teams, individuals or a team's cumulative defensive effort. The scoring method need not be applied only to a team, including defense and offense, as a unit. Another defensive event or action that can cause a defense to be awarded a score can be when the offense fails to produce a touchdown, down or field goal. This can be considered a forced turnover resulting from the defensive effort and therefore should reward the defense for such actions that reduce the effectiveness of the opposing team's offense. For example, a quarterback sack that results into a forced turnover may also be considered a defensive point. The present method need not only be applied to currently active sporting matches. It can also be retroactively applied to games played in the past, even prior to the invention of this scoring system. By applying this system to games in the past certain defensive teams, coaches and strategies can be evaluated for effectiveness of a defensive or offensive strategy. The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. VIII. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY It is evident that an invention such as Team Defensive Scoring by Design, in any of it encompassed iterations, is desirable because it can provide a more detailed and enthralling assessment of competitive sports teams. The present scoring system increases interest and engagement from live sports, gaming, wagering and other sports related commercial activity. The system also provides for a more true and accurate means to rank the performance of sports teams during traditional league play and
championship ranking.
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