Sports scorekeeping system with integrated scoreboard and automatic entertainment system

Abstract

An integrated sports scorekeeping and entertainment system ( 101, 102, 103 ). The system accepts game information from manually operated scorekeeping devices ( 100 - 4 c, 100 - 4 d, 100 - 8, 100 - 7 ) and automatic performance content generation sub-systems ( 201 ), for combining into either control commands and/or information that outputs to scoreboards ( 100 - 3 ), primary lighting systems ( 100 -L and 400 -J 8 a ), secondary lighting systems ( 400 -J 8 b ), music systems ( 400 -J 5 ), video systems ( 400 -J 6 ), goal score indicators ( 400 -J 7 ), dynamic advertising displays ( 400 -J 9 ), etc. The system ( 101, 102, 103 ) includes a universal scoreboard interface ( 100 - 6 ) that inputs pertinent game information in the form of a virtual scoreboard for translation into the physical signals for controlling the scoreboard ( 100 - 3 ), without the need or use of the Scoreboard's native control console ( 100 - 2 ).

1 . A system for use during a live sporting event for controlling at least one information output device comprising:
 a first input device for accepting game information related to the live sporting event;   a performance content generation sub-system, the performance content generation sub-system being operable to automatically generate game information based on the live sporting event; and   an output sub-system, the output sub-system being operable to receive game information from the first input device and the performance content generation sub-system and to send commands to the at least one information output device, the commands consisting of at least one of:
 a) at least part of the game information; 
 b) electronic instructions based at least in part on the game information. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one information output device is a scoreboard. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a universal scoreboard interface device, the universal scoreboard interface device being operable to:
 a. receive commands from the output sub-system; 
 b. translate the commands into signals recognizable by the scoreboard; 
 c. provide the signals to the scoreboard. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the scoreboard includes a game clock that starts and stops to indicate official time. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the game information includes clock state changes. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the first input device is operable by a game official. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising a second input device, the second input device being operable to transmit clock state changes to the output sub-system. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the second input device is a wireless clicker. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the game information generated by the performance content generation sub-system comprises clock state changes. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein clock start indications are generated by the performance content generation sub-system based in part on the motion of a player or a game object of the live sporting event. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the live sporting event is an ice hockey game and the game object is a ice hockey puck. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the game information generated by the performance content generation sub-system comprises scoring information. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the output device is a primary lighting system for providing general illumination of the event whose color or luminosity is adjusted in response to the commands from the output sub-system. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the primary lighting system uses LED lights capable of creating multiple colors, and wherein the commands from the output sub-system directs the colors to change. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the output device is a scoring indication lamp whose color or luminosity is adjusted in response to the commands from the output sub-system. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the output device is an audio system that is directed to output words or music in response to commands from the output sub-system. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the output device is a video or a video and audio output device that is directed to output video or video and audio in response to the commands from the output sub-system. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the video or video and audio output device is a scoreboard. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the video or video and audio output device is a dynamic advertising display. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the dynamic advertising display is affixed to structures facing inward toward a performance area of the event. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the dynamic advertising display is flexible for conforming to curved surfaces and comprises at least a flexible display technology. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the dynamic advertising display further comprises a base illumination layer to enhance the visibility of the flexible display technology. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the dynamic advertising display further comprises a covering layer to protect its integrity. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the dynamic advertising display further comprises a water-proofing layer to protect its integrity. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the output device is a secondary lighting system for providing controlled illumination of limited areas whose color, luminosity or illumination pattern is adjusted in response to the commands from the output sub-system. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the secondary lighting system is a laser projection device and where the system directs the projection of a team logo or symbol in response to commands from the output sub-system. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the game information generated by the performance content generation sub-system comprises video or audio of the live sporting event. 
     
     
         28 . A system for controlling a display output on a sports scoreboard at an event, comprising:
 a third-party device, the third party device comprising:
 a processor; 
 a user interface for inputting game information; 
 a communication sub-system; 
   wherein the processor is operable to generate a virtual scoreboard from the game information;   and   a universal scoreboard interface comprising:
 a processor; 
 a communication sub-system 
   the universal scoreboard interface being operable to:
 receive the virtual scoreboard from the third-party device; 
 translate the virtual scoreboard into signals recognizable by the scoreboard; 
 provide the signals to the scoreboard. 
   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28  wherein the scoreboard includes a game clock that starts and stops to indicate official time. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the user interface includes one or more buttons for indicating clock state changes. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29  wherein a game official uses a portable device in communication with the system for indicating clock state changes. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the portable device is a wireless clicker. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 28  further including a performance content generation sub-system, the performance content generation sub-system being operable to automatically generate game information based on the live sporting event; wherein the game information is used as an input to one of the third party device and the universal scoreboard interface. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33  wherein the scoreboard includes a game clock that starts and stops to indicate official time and wherein the game information generated by the performance content generation sub-system includes clock state changes. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34  wherein the clock start indications are generated by the performance content generation sub-system based on the motion of a player or a game object. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35  wherein the sporting event is an ice hockey game and the game object is a ice hockey puck. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 33  wherein the game information generated by the performance content generation sub-system includes scoring information. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 28  that further controls one or more output devices other than the scoreboard. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38  wherein at least one of the one or more output devices is a primary lighting system for providing general illumination of the event whose color or luminosity is adjusted in response to the game information. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the primary lighting system uses LED lights capable of creating multiple colors, and wherein the system directs the colors to change in response to game information. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 38  wherein at least one of the one or more output devices is an audio system that is directed to output words or music in response to the game information. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 38  wherein at least one of the one or more output devices is a video or video and audio system that is directed to output video or video and audio in response to the game information. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42  wherein the video or video and audio output device is useable as a scoreboard. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 42  wherein the video output device is a dynamic advertising display. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 44  wherein the dynamic advertising display is affixed to structures facing inward toward the performance area of the sporting event. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 44  wherein the dynamic advertising display is flexible for additionally conforming to curved surfaces and comprises at least a flexible display technology. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46  wherein the dynamic advertising display further comprises a base illumination layer to enhance the visibility of the flexible display technology. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 44  wherein the dynamic advertising display further comprises a covering layer to protect its integrity. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 44  wherein the dynamic advertising display further comprises a water-proofing layer to protect its integrity. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 38  wherein at least one of the one or more output devices is a secondary lighting system for providing controlled illumination of limited areas whose color, luminosity or illumination pattern is adjusted in response to the game information. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 50  wherein the secondary lighting system is a laser projection device and wherein the system directs the projection of a team logo or symbol in response to the game information. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the game information generated by the performance content generation sub-system comprises video or audio of the ongoing event. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 33  that further controls one or more output devices other than the scoreboard. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 53  wherein at least one of the one or more output devices is a primary lighting system for providing general illumination of the event whose color or luminosity is adjusted in response to the game information. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54  wherein the primary lighting system uses LED lights capable of creating multiple colors, and wherein the system directs the colors to change in response to game information. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 53  wherein at least one of the one or more output devices is a scoring indication lamp whose color or luminosity is adjusted in response to the game information. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 53  wherein at least one of the one or more output devices is an audio system that is directed to output words or music in response to the game information. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 53  wherein at least one of the one or more output devices is a video or video and audio system that is directed to output video or video and audio in response to the game information. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 58  wherein the video or video and audio output device is useable as a scoreboard. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 58  wherein the video output device is a dynamic advertising display. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 60  wherein the dynamic advertising display is affixed to structures facing inward toward the performance area of the sporting event. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 60  wherein the dynamic advertising display is flexible for additionally conforming to curved surfaces and comprises at least a flexible display technology. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 62  wherein the dynamic advertising display further comprises a base illumination layer to enhance the visibility of the flexible display technology. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 60  wherein the dynamic advertising display further comprises a coving protective layer to protect its integrity. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 60  wherein the dynamic advertising display further comprises a water-proofing layer to protect its integrity. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 33  wherein the output device is a secondary lighting system for proving controlled illumination of limited areas whose color, luminosity or illumination pattern is adjusted in response to the game information. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 66  wherein the secondary lighting system is a laser projection device and where the system directs the projection of a team logo or symbol in response to the game information. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 33  wherein the game information generated by the performance content generation sub-system comprises video or audio of the ongoing event. 
     
     
         69 . An apparatus for translating virtual scoreboard indications from a third party device into physical signals capable of controlling a scoreboard, comprising:
 Inputs for accepting the virtual indications from the third party device for display on the scoreboard,   A processing element for converting the virtual indications into physical control signals recognizable to the scoreboard, and   Outputs for relaying the physical signals to the scoreboard.   
     
     
         70 . The apparatus of  claim 69  wherein the inputs and processing element are reconfigurable to accept and process indications from two or more distinct third party devices. 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus of  claim 69  wherein the processing element and the outputs are reconfigurable to convert the virtual indications into physical control signals recognizable by two or more distinct scoreboards. 
     
     
         72 . The apparatus of  claim 69  wherein the scoreboard includes a game clock that starts and stops to indicate official time. 
     
     
         73 . The apparatus of  claim 72  wherein the third party device accepts game information from a scorekeeper or game official, including clock state changes. 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus of  claim 72  wherein the apparatus directly accepts game information from a scorekeeper or game official, including clock state changes. 
     
     
         75 . The apparatus of  claim 69  that is in communication with a wireless clicker for accepting game information. 
     
     
         76 . The apparatus of  claim 72  that is in communication with a wireless clicker for accepting game clock state changes. 
     
     
         77 . The apparatus of  claim 69  that is in communication with a performance content generation sub-system capable of generating game information based on a live sporting event, the game information being used as an input for one of: the apparatus and the third party device. 
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 77  wherein the game information generated by the performance content generation sub-system includes clock state changes. 
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 78  wherein the clock start indications are generated by the performance content generation sub-system based at least in part on the motion of a player or a game object.