WIRELESS SIGNALING FOR ELECTRONIC FENCING SCORING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate to scoring systems for fencing competitions.

BACKGROUND

In the sport of fencing, a scoring apparatus is traditionally used to indicate touches between fencers. The scoring apparatus may provide a buzzer sound and illuminate lights that signal when a touch has occurred. A referee is required to see the signaling light of the scoring apparatus to determine whether to award a fencer a point. By looking at the scoring apparatus to determine whether a point should be awarded, the referee must take his eyes off the fencers, and may miss actions from the fencers that may violate the rules of fencing. Additionally, audience members may not be able to follow the competition due to the low visibility of the lights illuminated on the display of the scoring apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that different references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to have the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

FIG. 1A illustrates a traditional fencing competition equipped with electronic scoring.

FIG. 1B illustrates a fencing competition equipped for wireless signaling for electronic scoring, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1C illustrates another fencing competition equipped for wireless signaling for electronic scoring, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A illustrates a signaling device used during a fencing competition equipped for wireless signaling for electronic scoring, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B illustrates a receiving device used during a fencing competition equipped for wireless signaling for electronic scoring, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example schematic for a connection between a scoring apparatus without an isolation unit and a signaling device, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example schematic for a connection between a scoring apparatus with an isolation unit and a signaling device, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example schematic for a signaling device, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example schematic for a receiving device, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example schematic for a light source arrangement, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method of implementing wireless signaling for electronic scoring for a fencing competition, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates another method of implementing wireless signaling for electronic scoring for a fencing competition, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Described herein are embodiments covering systems and methods for providing wireless signaling for an electronic scoring system for a fencing competition. The wireless signaling electronic scoring system includes a signaling device configured to be electrically connected to the scoring apparatus, a receiving device configured to be wirelessly connected to the signaling device, and a light source arrangement configured to be electrically connected to the receiving device. The receiving device and the light source arrangement may be worn on a body of a fencer (e.g., attached to a face mask of a fencer's uniform or other portion of the fencer's uniform). The light source arrangement may include one or more electronic components. In one embodiment, the electronic components may be one or more photonic emitters, for example light emitting diodes (LEDs). The one or more electronic components may be attached to a face mask of a fencer's uniform and/or to other locations on the fencer's uniform. The light source arrangement may also include one or more light emitting fibers (LEFs) or other light-emitting electronic elements sewn onto or woven into a part of the fencer's uniform.

Fencing is a highly competitive and strenuous sport for two contestants (also referred to as fencers). A fencing competition takes place on a fencing strip and involves two fencers wearing protective clothing and face masks. Each fencer uses a sword equipped with a blade appropriate to the type of fencing competition (e.g., foil, épée, sabre).

In competition, fencing is judged by a referee who monitors both fencers' activities as each fencer attempts to score points by touching his weapon to a target area of his opponent's body. In foil and épée fencing, points are scored only when the tip of the weapon's blade touches a target area on the opponent's body (e.g., the opponent's torso in foil fencing and the opponent's entire body in épée fencing) for the required amount of time (e.g., 2 milliseconds in épée, 14 milliseconds in foil). In sabre fencing, points are scored when any portion of the weapon's blade touches the target area on the opponent's body (e.g., the opponent's entire body above the waist, except the hands) for the required amount of time (e.g., 100 microseconds).

Modern fencing competitions employ electronic scoring systems, which makes it easier for the referee to determine whether a fencer made a valid touch (e.g., a touch to the target area of the fencer's opponent for the required amount of time). Electronic scoring systems include a body cord, which connects to a connection point inside the guard of the fencing weapon (e.g., the portion of the weapon held by the fencer). The body cord extends inside the fencer's sleeve to the fencer's back and is electrically connected to a fencer cable. In some embodiments, the fencer cable may be a spring-wound cable reel wire equipped with a rewind and tension device located beyond the boundary lines of competition. The reel maintains the tautness of the fencer cable, as the fencer moves up and down the fencing strip. In another embodiment, the fencer cable may be elongated by means of a combination of pulleys and an elastic cord that is connected to a fixed point located beyond the boundary lines of competition. The fencer cable is further electrically connected to a scoring apparatus, which is also located beyond the boundary lines of competition. Each fencer is equipped with his own body cord, which is connected to the scoring apparatus via a distinct connection interface.

In fencing competitions that implement electronic scoring, the fencing strip may be a grounded fencing strip (i.e., the fencing strip is connected to ground). This is to prevent the fencer's weapon from registering a touch if the fencer touches the tip or sides of his weapon's blade to the fencing strip. The grounded fencing strip also protects the fencers by providing a path to ground when the electronic scoring equipment is active.

The display of the scoring apparatus includes two sets of lights where each set is associated with each fencer. Each set of lights includes at least one colored light (e.g., red or green) and a white light. Each fencer is assigned a color before the fencing competition begins. The colored lights are illuminated when the fencer makes a touch within a target area on his opponent's body. The white lights are illuminated in foil when the fencer makes a touch on his opponent outside of the target area. For some scoring systems, the scoring apparatus may also include one or more yellow lights. The yellow light may be illuminated if there is a short in a circuit of a fencer's equipment. The yellow light may also be illuminated if a fencer touches his weapon's blade to the grounded strip.

The display of the scoring apparatus may also contain at least one alphanumeric window. One alphanumeric window may display the amount of time remaining during a fencing competition to the fencers, the referee, and the audience. Another alphanumeric window, or a set of alphanumeric windows, may display each fencer's score during the competition.

The fencer may be equipped with additional uniform components to enable electronic scoring during a fencing competition. During a foil or a sabre fencing competition, each fencer may wear a layer of electrically conductive material (also referred to as a lame) over the traditional fencing jacket, to help the electronic scoring apparatus distinguish between valid and non-valid touches.

The body cord used for each type of fencing includes at least two connectors that connect the fencer's weapon and the fencer cable. For foil or sabre fencing competitions, the body cord includes an additional connector that connects to the fencer's lamé. During an épée fencing competition, when the tip of a fencer's blade is depressed on a target area, a circuit is completed within the weapon, and a valid touch is registered (also referred to as a hit). During a foil fencing competition, when the tip of a fencer's blade is depressed on a target area, a circuit is broken within the weapon, and another circuit is completed between the weapon and the opponent's lame, and a valid touch is registered. When the tip is depressed on a non-target area, the circuit is not completed and an invalid touch is registered. During a sabre fencing competition, any contact between the fencer's weapon and the opponent's lamé closes the circuit between the fencer's weapon and the opponent's lamé and a valid touch is registered. Any contact with the rest of the opponent's body is not registered.

When a touch is registered, either valid or invalid, an electrical signal is transmitted to the scoring apparatus through the fencer cable. The scoring apparatus determines which fencer made the touch and whether the touch was valid. The scoring apparatus will then cause either a colored light to be illuminated (based on the fencer that scored the touch) or a white light to be illuminated (if the touch was not a valid touch) in the set of lights associated with the fencer that made the touch.

Electronic scoring mechanisms may also include a set of extender lights (also referred to as repeater lights). The set of extender lights may include at least two extender light boxes (referred to herein as extender lights) that are electrically connected to the scoring apparatus. The scoring apparatus may include a connection interface reserved for a connection to the extender lights. The extender lights are placed above the scoring apparatus, or at opposite ends of the fencing strip, or around the fencing strip, to be easily visible by the referee and the audience. The display of the extender lights may include the same colored and white lights as the display of the scoring apparatus. Some extender lights may further include the same yellow lights as included on the display of the scoring apparatus. When the scoring apparatus registers a touch and causes a light to be illuminated, a signal may be transmitted from the scoring apparatus to each extender light, causing the corresponding light on the extender lights to also be illuminated.

Electronic scoring mechanisms are used in most fencing competitions because of the benefits conferred to the referee and the audience. Because the fencer's actions are so quick, judges would have a difficult time determining whether a valid touch occurred without the use of electronic scoring. Further, in order to score a point, governing fencing authorities (e.g., the Federation Internationale d'Escrime (FIE)), and other organizations that subscribe to these authority's rules, require a fencer's weapon to touch his opponent's target area for a specified amount of time in order for the touch to be valid. Without electronic scoring, the referee would have a difficult time determining whether the fencer's weapon touched his opponent's target area for the required amount of time.

Because the rules of fencing are fairly sophisticated, the referee cannot simply rely upon the scoring apparatus, or the extender lights, to determine the outcome of a competition. Rather, he must also pay constant attention to the fencer's movements to ensure that all touches have been properly scored and that the fencers have stayed within the bounds of the fencing strip at all times. Because a fully constructed fencing strip may extend at least 17 meters, the referee must move constantly back and forth with the fencers over a long distance to track the fencer's movement. As such, the referee must continually divide his attention between the fencers and the scoring apparatus, which is generally positioned to the side, at the middle of the fencing strip. Even with the use of extender lights, the referee must constantly keep up with the illumination of the extender lights and readjust his focus to the fencers to keep up with the competition. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system that enables the referee (and the audience) to keep his eyes on both fencers and the scoring lights at the same time, regardless of where the fencers are positioned along the fencing strip.

As mentioned above, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for providing a wireless scoring system for a fencing competition. The wireless signaling system includes a signaling device configured to be electrically connected to the scoring apparatus traditionally used in modern fencing matches. The signaling device is configured to be wirelessly connected to a receiving device that is configured for attachment to a fencer's uniform. The receiving device may be configured to be electrically connected to a light source arrangement that is also attached to a fencer's uniform. When a touch is registered by the scoring apparatus, the wireless scoring system may allow a light source of the light source arrangement attached to the fencer's uniform to be illuminated. By attaching the light source arrangement to the fencer's uniform, the referee, and the audience, will be able to focus on the movements of the fencers and view the scoring lights without having to focus on scoring equipment that is placed beyond the bounds of the fencing strip. The wireless signaling system described in embodiments is usable as an attachment or accessory to any conventional wired electronic scoring system used for the scoring of fencing matches. The wireless signaling system may be secure so as to prevent cheating and/or tampering with the results of a fencing match, may provide one way electrical isolation so as to prevent any electrical signal from entering into a scoring apparatus from the wireless signaling system, and/or may provide quick signaling to the light source arrangement worn by fencers in a manner that mitigates or eliminates any lag in the signaling. The wireless signaling system provides a cost efficient device that can modify any existing fencing scoring apparatus to provide wireless scoring and display capabilities to the existing scoring apparatus.

FIG. 1A illustrates a traditional fencing competition equipped with electronic scoring. Fencer(s) 100 (collectively referred to herein as fencers and each may be referred to individually as fencer) stand on a fencing strip 102 for the duration of the fencing competition. The fencing strip 102 may be grounded (e.g., the fencing strip is connected to the ground circuit of the electronic scoring apparatus). Fencers 100 are judged by a referee who monitors the activity of fencers 100 as each fencer 100 attempts to score a point by touching his weapon to a target area of his opponent's body with his weapon for a required amount of time (e.g., scoring a valid touch). The touch of fencer's 100 weapon to his opponent's target area causes an electronic signal to be transmitted to a scoring apparatus 106 through a body cord 104. Body cord 104 is electrically connected to fencer's 100 weapon and, depending on the type of fencing competition, to a conductive lamé worn over fencer's 100 uniform.

The scoring apparatus may be position adjacent to the fencing strip 102. The display of scoring apparatus 106 includes at least two sets of lights, where each set is associated with a different fencer. Each set of lights includes at least one colored light (e.g., a red light or a green light) and a white light. Each fencer is assigned a color before the fencing competition begins. Scoring apparatus 106 registers a touch from a fencer's 100 weapon and in response causes either an appropriate colored light (for a valid touch) or a white light (for an invalid touch) that is associated with one of the fencers to be illuminated. Traditionally, the light associated with the fencer scoring the hit is illuminated. Scoring apparatus 106 may further include at least one yellow light. The yellow light may be illuminated if there is a short in a circuit of the fencer's 100 weapon. The yellow light may also be illuminated if the fencer 100 touches his weapon to the grounded strip.

A set of extender lights 108 may be electrically connected to scoring apparatus 106 via a connection interface. The connection interface may be specifically reserved for the set of extender lights 108. Extender lights 108 may include the same colored lights as the display of the scoring apparatus 106, and may include the same white lights. When scoring apparatus 106 registers a touch and causes a colored light or a white light to be illuminated, a signal is transmitted from scoring apparatus 106 to extender lights 108, causing the corresponding light to also be illuminated.

FIG. 1B illustrates a fencing competition equipped for wireless signaling for electronic scoring, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Fencers 100 may stand on a fencing strip 102 for the duration of a fencing competition. Fencers 100 may be judged by a referee who monitors the activity of fencers 100 as each fencer 100 attempts to score a point by touching his weapon to a target area of his opponent's body with his weapon for the required amount of time (e.g., scoring a valid touch).

Fencers 100 may wear a protective uniform during the fencing competition, which may include at least a face mask and a jacket. Fencer's 100 face mask may include a wire mesh to protect the fencer's 100 face from injury. Fencer's 100 uniform and weapon may be equipped to enable electronic scoring during the fencing competition. During a foil or a sabre fencing competition, fencer 100 may wear a conductive lamé over his fencing uniform to cover the fencer's target area. During a foil competition, fencer 100 may also wear a conductive bib attached to his mask.

A body cord 104 may be electrically connected to fencer's 100 weapon and a spring-wound reel (not illustrated here) located at the end of the fencing strip, beyond the boundary lines of competition. The spring-would reel may be electrically connected to scoring apparatus 106. During a foil or a sabre fencing competition, body cord 104 may also be electrically connected to fencer's 100 lamé. Each fencer 100 may be equipped with his own body cord 104, which may be connected to scoring apparatus 106 via separate connection interfaces.

During an épée competition, when the tip of fencer's 100 weapon is depressed on a target area, a circuit is closed within the weapon and a valid touch is registered. During a foil competition, when the tip of fencer's 100 weapon is depressed on a target area, a circuit is broken within the weapon and another circuit is completed between the weapon and the opponent fencer's 100 lame, and a valid touch is registered. When the tip is depressed on a non-target area, the circuit is not closed within the weapon and an invalid touch is registered. During a sabre fencing competition, any contact between fencer's 100 weapon and the opponent's lame closes the circuit between fencer's 100 weapon and the opponent fencer's 100 lamé and a valid touch is registered, while any contact to any other area on the opponent's body is not.

When a touch is registered, either valid or invalid, an electrical signal may be transmitted to scoring apparatus 106 through body cord 104. Scoring apparatus 106 may register which fencer 100 made the touch and whether the touch was a valid touch. Scoring apparatus 106 may cause a colored light (e.g., a red light or a green light) to be illuminated if the touch was valid, or a white light to be illuminated if the touch was invalid. The illuminated lights may be included in the set of lights associated with the fencer that made the touch.

A signaling device 110 may be electrically connected to scoring apparatus 106, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, signaling device 110 may be electrically connected to scoring apparatus 106 in place of a set of extender lights, such as extender lights 108 as illustrated in FIG. 1A. In another embodiment, signaling device 110 may be electrically connected to scoring apparatus 106 via the same connection interface as reserved for extender lights 108.

In embodiments, signaling device 110 may include an isolation unit, a microcontroller, and one or more radio transceivers. The isolation unit may provide electrical isolation between scoring apparatus 106 and the other components of signaling device 110. In one embodiment, the isolation unit may be included as part of a connector that electrically connects signaling device 110 and scoring apparatus 106. In some embodiments, the isolation unit may be built into scoring apparatus 106 as provided by the manufacturer. As such, signaling device 110 may not include the isolation unit and instead may include a microcontroller and one or more radio transceivers, without an isolation unit. Further details regarding signaling device 110 are included below with reference to FIG. 2A.

Signaling device 110 may be wirelessly connected to a receiving device 112. Receiving device 112 may include a microcontroller and a radio transceiver. The radio transceiver of signaling device 110 may transmit wireless signals to receiving device 112, which may be received by the radio transceiver of receiving device 112. Further details regarding receiving device are included below with reference to FIG. 2B.

A receiving device 112 may be configured for attachment to a component of each fencer's 100 uniform. For example, receiving device 112 may be attached to fencer's 100 face mask, as illustrated. Receiving device 112 may be electrically connected to a light source arrangement 114. Light source arrangement 114 may also be attached to fencer's 100 face mask. Light source arrangement 114 may include one or more light sources. For example, light source arrangement 114 may include at least two distinct colored light sources (e.g., a red light source and a green light source) and a white light source. In one embodiment, light source arrangement 114 may include one or more colored light source and one or more white light source. The different light sources may correspond to the colored lights and the white lights included on the display of scoring apparatus 106. In another embodiment, light source arrangement 114 may include one light source capable of illuminating multiple different colors (e.g., a red light, a green light, a white light).

In one embodiment, light source arrangement 114 may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) attached to a rigid printed circuit board (PCB). The LEDs may include at least two colored LEDs and a white LED. In one embodiment, the LED may be a multicolored LED that can illuminate at least two colored lights and a white light. In some embodiments, the rigid PCB may include one or more predrilled holes that allow the rigid PCB to be attached to the mesh of the fencer's 100 face mask. In one embodiment, the rigid PCB may be attached to the mesh of the fencer's face mask by a wire hoop (e.g., a staple) threaded through one hole of the rigid PCB and one or more holes of the mesh of the fencer's 100 face mask. The rigid PCB may be attached to either the interior or exterior of fencer's 100 face mask.

In another embodiment, light source arrangement 114 may include one or more LEDs attached to a flexible PCB. The LEDs may include at least two colored LEDs and a white LED. In one embodiment, the LED may be a multicolored LED that can illuminate at least two colored lights and a white light. The flexible PCB may be configured for attachment to the interior of the fencer's 100 face mask. In one embodiment, the flexible PCB may be attached to the interior of the fencer's 100 face mask using an adhesive material.

In one embodiment, light source arrangement 114 may be built into the fencer's 100 face mask, as provided by the manufacturer. In such an embodiment, receiving device 112 may also be built into the fencer's 100 face mask.

When a touch is made by either fencer 100 and is registered by scoring apparatus 106, scoring apparatus 106 may determine which fencer 100 made the touch and whether the touch was valid. Scoring apparatus 106 may transmit a first signal to signaling device 110 via a wired connection, where the first signal includes the information on the touch. In one embodiment, the first signal may be an analog signal. In another embodiment, the first signal may be a digital signal. Signaling device 110 may generate a second signal. In one embodiment, the second signal may be a wireless signal (e.g., a Bluetooth signal or a Wi-Fi signal). The second signal may include the information regarding the touch. Signaling device 110 may transmit the second signal to receiving device 112 using a wireless protocol (e.g., a proprietary radiofrequency (RF) protocol, a Bluetooth protocol, a Wi-Fi protocol, and so on). Receiving device 112 may receive the second signal and decode the second signal to determine which light source of light source arrangement 114 to illuminate. Receiving device 112 may cause a light source of light source arrangement 114 to be illuminated. The illuminated light source may correspond to the illuminated light on the display of scoring apparatus 106. The illuminated light source configured for attachment to fencer's 100 uniform allows the referee, and the audience, to see that a touch was made without taking their eyes off of the fencers. Additionally, a fencer 100 who has been touched is able to see whether the touch was registered by scoring apparatus 106 and whether the touch was valid or invalid based on the illuminated light source on the uniform of the opponent fencer 100.

FIG. 1C illustrates another fencing competition equipped for wireless signaling for electronic scoring, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Fencers 100 may engage in competition and wear the same uniform as described with respect to FIG. 1B.

Signaling device 110 may be electrically connected to scoring apparatus 106, in accordance with embodiments previously described. Signaling device 110 may be wirelessly connected to receiving device 112, also in accordance with embodiments previously described. Receiving device 112 may be configured for attachment to a component of fencer's 100 uniform. For example, receiving device 112 may be attached to fencer's 100 jacket, as illustrated. Receiving device 112 may be electrically connected to a light emitting fiber (LEF) arrangement 116.

LEF arrangement 116 may include one or more LEFs and an LEF light source. The LEFs may be bundled together and one end of the LEF bundle may be configured for attachment to the LEF light source. LEFs at the unattached end of the LEF bundle may be sewn onto (e.g., as a patch) or woven into fencer's 100 uniform. In one embodiment, the unattached end of the LEF bundle may be sewn onto or woven into the jacket of fencer's 100 uniform. The LEF light source may be composed of at least two distinct colored lights (e.g., a red light and a green light) and one white light. In one embodiment, the LEF light source may be one light source capable of illuminating different colors. The different lights of the LEF light source may correspond to the colored lights and the white lights included on the display of scoring apparatus 106. In one embodiment, the LEF light source may include one or more LEDs. In another embodiment, the LEF light source may include one or more laser diodes. In one embodiment, the LEF light source may include at least two laser diodes that emit distinctly colored lasers and one laser diode that emits a white laser.

FIG. 2A illustrates a signaling device 200 used during a fencing competition equipped for wireless signaling for electronic scoring, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Signaling device 200 may be configured to be electrically connected to a scoring apparatus 202. Scoring apparatus 202 may include any fencing scoring apparatus used during a fencing competition equipped for electronic scoring. Scoring apparatus 202 may correspond with scoring apparatus 106, as discussed with respect to FIGS. 1A-1C. Scoring apparatus 202 may include a connection interface reserved for a set of extender lights to be connected to scoring apparatus 202. In embodiments of the present disclosure, signaling device 200 may be used in place of the extender lights. In one embodiment, signaling device 200 may connect to scoring apparatus 202 via the connection interface reserved for the extender light. In one embodiment, signaling device 200 may connect to scoring apparatus 202 through a parallel connector or a serial connector.

Scoring apparatus 202 may transmit a first signal to signaling device 200 after receiving an electrical signal that a fencer has touched his weapon to his opponent's body. In one embodiment, the first signal may be an analog signal. In such an embodiment, the first signal may include information regarding which colored light needs to be illuminated on a light source arrangement 226 attached to either fencer's uniform (e.g., light source arrangement 114 illustrated in FIG. 1B or LEF arrangement 116 illustrated in FIG. 1C). In another embodiment, the first signal may be a digital signal. In such an embodiment, the first signal may include information regarding which fencer made the touch and whether the touch was valid.

Signaling device 200 may include an isolation unit 204. Isolation unit 204 may be an optocoupler, a capacitive coupler, a gigantic magneto resistance (GMR) isolator, or any other isolation component that can provide electrical isolation. Isolation unit 204 may be included to provide electrical isolation between scoring apparatus 202 and the other components of signaling device 200. Electrical isolation may be included as a safety measure to prevent excessive electrical current that might be present in the signaling device 200 from reaching the fencer, who is electrically connected to scoring apparatus 202 via a body cord. In one embodiment, isolation unit 204 may include any isolation component that can provide unidirectional isolation. Unidirectional isolation may be included to prevent a third party signal transmitted to radio transceiver 208 from interfering with and manipulating the scoring of the fencing competition. By providing unidirectional isolation, an electrical signal (e.g., the first signal) may pass from scoring apparatus 202 through isolation unit 204 into the signaling device 200, while electrical signals transmitted to signaling device 200 (e.g., from receiving unit 220 may not pass through isolation unit 204 into the scoring apparatus 202.

In one embodiment, isolation unit 204 may be built into scoring apparatus 202 as provided by the manufacturer. Signaling device 200 may not include isolation unit 204 and isolation between scoring apparatus 202 and the other components of signaling device 200 may be provided via the built-in isolation unit. In such an embodiment, the first signal transmitted from the scoring apparatus 202 with the built in isolation unit may be a digital signal. In another embodiment, the first signal transmitted from the scoring apparatus 202 with the build in isolation may be an analog signal.

Signaling device 200 may further include a microcontroller 206. In some embodiments, microcontroller 206 may be any microchip available, including, for example, AVR-based chips, ARM-based chips, STM8-based chips, STM32-based chips, or peripheral interface controller (PIC)-based chips. In other embodiments, microcontroller 206 may be any one of the many microcontroller devices available, including, for example, BeagleBone Black, a Raspberry Pi microcontroller, an Arduino microcontroller, STEM32 Discovery, etc. Microcontroller 206 may receive a first signal from scoring apparatus 202. The first signal from scoring apparatus 202 may be an analog signal or a digital signal. The first signal from scoring apparatus 202 may contain information regarding which fencer touched his weapon to his opponent and whether the touch was a valid touch. In one embodiment, the first signal from scoring apparatus 202 may contain information regarding which light source needs to be illuminated on light source arrangement 226. Microcontroller 206 may decode the received signal to determine which light source needs to be illuminated on light source arrangement 226 electrically connected to receiving device 220. Microcontroller 206 may generate a second signal, and transmit the second signal to radio transceiver 208. In one embodiment, microcontroller 206 may determine which receiving device 220 worn by the fencers to transmit the second signal to. In such an embodiment, microcontroller 206 may transmit the second signal to a radio transceiver 208 that is associated with the fencer that made the touch. In another embodiment, microcontroller 206 may transmit the second signal to both radio transceivers 208 so the signal may be transmitted to both fencers. In one embodiment, the second signal may be a wireless signal.

In one embodiment, signaling device 200 may further include a switch. The switch may be used by the fencers or the referee to change the fencer's assigned colors during, or in between, fencing competitions. In one embodiment, microcontroller 206 may register that a switch occurred. In one embodiment, the second signal generated by microcontroller 206 may include information about the light source of the light source arrangement attached to the fencer(s) that is to be illuminated. In such an embodiment, the second signal may include information that the newly assigned colored light source is to be illuminated.

Signaling device 200 may further include a radio transceiver 208. In one embodiment, signaling device 200 may include multiple radio transceivers 208. In such an embodiment, radio transceivers 208 may be associated with the receiving device 220 attached to each fencer's uniform. In one embodiment, radio transceiver 208 may include a Wi-Fi device (e.g., a Wi-Fi chip), a Bluetooth device, a ZigBee device, or any other device dedicated to secure short-range communication (e.g., a device that sends and/or receives secure communications). In one embodiment, radio transceiver 208 may include a Bluetooth device (also referred to herein as a Bluetooth module). Radio transceiver 208 may receive the second signal from microcontroller 206 and convert the second signal to a wireless signal. Radio transceiver 208 may transmit the second signal to a radio transceiver 222 of a receiving device 220, illustrated in FIG. 2B, via a wireless connection 210. In one embodiment, wireless connection 210 may be a Bluetooth connection. Alternatively, the wireless connection may be a Wi-Fi connection, an RF connection, or other type of connection.

Different scoring apparatuses on the market may have different ports with different numbers of pins, different physical arrangements of pins, different shapes of port connectors, and so on. Additionally, some scoring apparatuses may have digital ports over which digital signals are sent while other scoring apparatuses may have analog pots over which analog signals are sent. Additionally, some scoring apparatuses have parallel ports while other scoring apparatuses have serial ports. In embodiments, an adapter cable is provided as part of the signaling device or as a separate connector that couples the signaling device to the scoring apparatus. The adapter cable may have a first end that connects to the signaling device and a plurality of second ends, where each of the plurality of second ends is configured to plug into a port of a particular scoring apparatus or group of scoring apparatuses. For example, one of the plurality of second ends may be a parallel connector having a first shape, another of the plurality of second ends may have be a parallel connector having a second shape, another of the plurality of second ends may be a serial connector, and so on. Additionally, some of the plurality of second ends that are configured to connect to ports over which an analog signal is sent may include or be connected to an analog to digital converter, while others of the plurality of second sends that are configured to connect to ports over which a digital signal is sent may lack an analog to digital converter.

FIG. 2B illustrates a receiving device 220 used during a fencing competition equipped for wireless signaling for electronic scoring, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Receiving device 220 may be configured to be wirelessly connected to signaling device 200, illustrated in FIG. 2A. Receiving device 220 may be configured for attachment to a fencer's uniform during a fencing competition. Each fencer competing in the fencing competition may have a receiving device attached to his uniform. In one embodiment, receiving device 220 may be attached to each fencer's face mask. In another embodiment, receiving device 220 may be attached to each fencer's jacket.

Receiving device 220 may include a radio transceiver 222. Radio transceiver 222 may include a Wi-Fi device, a Bluetooth device, a ZigBee device, or any other device dedicated to secure short-range communication. In one embodiment, radio transceiver 222 may include a Bluetooth device (also referred to herein as a Bluetooth module). Radio transceiver 222 may receive a second signal from radio transceiver 208 of signaling device 200. In one embodiment, the second signal may be a wireless signal. The second signal may contain information regarding which light source needs to be illuminated on light source arrangement 226. In one embodiment, the second signal is received only by the receiving device 220 that is associated with the fencer who made the touch. In another embodiment, the second signal is received by the receiving device(s) 220 attached to both fencers of the fencing competition.

Receiving device 220 may also include a microcontroller 224. Microcontroller 224 may be any one of the many microcontrollers available, including, for example, BeagleBone Black, a Raspberry Pi microcontroller, an Arduino microcontroller, STEM32 Discovery, etc. Microcontroller 224 may receive the second signal from radio transceiver 222 and decode the second signal to determine which light source to be illuminated on light source arrangement 226. In one embodiment, microcontroller 224 may decode the second signal to determine whether receiving device 220 is the appropriate receiving device to cause a light source of light source arrangement 226 to be illuminated.

Microcontroller 224 may generate a connection signal when the second signal is received from radio transceiver 222. In one embodiment, the connection signal may contain information regarding whether the second signal was received by microcontroller 224 and/or whether microcontroller 224 successfully decoded the second signal. Microcontroller 224 may transmit the connection signal to radio transceiver 222. Radio transceiver 222 may receive the connection signal from microcontroller 224 and convert the connection signal to a wireless signal. Radio transceiver 222 may transmit the connection signal to radio transceiver 208 of signaling device 200. Radio transceiver 208 may transmit the connection signal to microcontroller 206. Microcontroller 206 may decode the connection signal to determine whether the second signal transmitted from radio transceiver 208 to radio transceiver 222 was successfully transmitted and/or decoded.

Receiving device 220 may be configured to be electrically connected to light source arrangement 226. In one embodiment, light source arrangement 226 may correspond with light source arrangement 114 as described with respect to FIG. 1B. In another embodiment, light source arrangement 226 may correspond with LEF arrangement 116 as described with respect to FIG. 1C. Receiving device 220 may cause a light source of light source arrangement 226 to be illuminated. The illuminated light source of light source arrangement 226 may correspond to the light illuminated on the display of scoring apparatus 202.

In one embodiment, receiving device 220 may further include an indicator light. The indicator light may indicate to the fencers and the referee what colored light is assigned to each fencer. In one embodiment, the indicator light may be one or more colored LEDs, where each LED corresponds to a colored light included on the display of scoring apparatus 202. In another embodiment, the indicator light may be one multi-colored LED. Microcontroller 224 may cause a colored light of the indicator light to be illuminated, where the colored light corresponds with the fencer's assigned color. The colored light of the indicator light may be illuminated until power is no longer provided to receiving device 220 or the fencers or referee switches the color assignment. In one embodiment, the indicator light may not be included on receiving device 220 and instead may be included with light source arrangement 226. In some embodiments, the indicator light may not be included on receiving device 220 and, instead, may be included on light source arrangement 226. In other embodiments, the indicator light may be included on both receiving device 220 and light source arrangement 226.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example schematic for a connection between a scoring apparatus without an isolation unit and a signaling device, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The connection may be made between a scoring apparatus interface 302 and a signaling device interface 306. In one embodiment, an isolation unit may be included as a component of the signaling device. In another embodiment, the isolation unit may be included as a component of the connector 300 between scoring apparatus interface 302 and signaling device interface 306. The isolation unit may be an optocoupler (illustrated here), a capacitive coupler, a GMR isolator, or any other isolation component 304 that can provide electrical isolation. The isolation unit may be included to provide electrical isolation between the scoring apparatus and other components the signaling device.

In one embodiment, connector 300 may be any connector that corresponds to a connection interface of existing extender lights. This may include, but is not limited to, a DIN connector (e.g., a DIN-8 connector, a DIN-6 connector, etc.), a registered jack (RJ) connector (e.g., RJ-25 modular socket, etc.), etc. In one embodiment, connector 300 may be a connector that corresponds to a connection interface of existing extender lights where the connector is associated with a common ground connection. In another embodiment, connector 300 may be a connector that corresponds to a connection interface of existing extender lights where the connector is associated with a common positive connection. In another embodiment, connector 300 may be a connector that is associated with both a common ground connection and a common positive connection. In such an embodiment, connector 300 may convert a first signal transmitted from the scoring apparatus to either common ground or common positive so as to transmit through isolation component 304 to signaling device interface 306. Therefore, connector 300 may be a universal connector where the universal connector may correspond to any connection interface of any existing extender lights.

The scoring apparatus may transmit a first signal to the signaling device. In one embodiment, the first signal may be an analog signal (i.e., an analog electrical signal) that is sent over a parallel connector. In another embodiment, the first signal may include multiple analog signals, wherein each analog signal corresponds to a different light on the display of the scoring apparatus. The multiple analog signals may be sent over a parallel connector or a serial connector. For example, the first signal may include an analog signal associated with the light of each set of lights for a fencer. The first signal may pass through isolation component 304. Isolation component 304 may provide electrical isolation between the scoring apparatus and other components of the signaling device. Connector 300 may include multiple isolation components 304. In one embodiment, each analog signal corresponding with a distinct light source may individually pass through an isolation component 304.

After passing through isolation component 304, the first signal may pass to the signaling device through a signaling device interface 306. Signaling device interface 306 may include a set of pins, wherein each pin is to receive a distinct signal. In one embodiment, each analog signal corresponding with each light may pass to a distinct pin of signaling device interface 306.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example schematic for a connection between a scoring apparatus with an isolation unit and a signaling device, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The connection may be made between a scoring apparatus interface 402 and a signaling device interface 404. Scoring apparatus interface 402 may correspond to scoring apparatus interface 302 of FIG. 3. In one embodiment, an isolation unit may be built into the scoring apparatus as provided by the manufacturer.

Scoring apparatus interface 402 may be connected to microcontroller interface 404 through a connector 400. Connector 400 may be any connector that corresponds to a connection interface of existing extender lights. This may include, but is not limited to, a DIN connector, a RJ connector, etc.

The scoring apparatus may transmit a first signal to the signaling device. In one embodiment, the first signal may be a digital signal. The first signal may include information regarding which light source of a light source arrangement (e.g., attached to fencer's face mask or sewn onto or woven into fencer's uniform) is to be illuminated. Signaling device interface 404 may include a set of pins, wherein each pin is to receive a distinct signal. In one embodiment, the first signal may pass to a distinct pin of signaling device interface 404.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example schematic for a signaling device 500, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Signaling device 500 may include an isolation unit (not shown). In one embodiment, the isolation unit may be included in a connector to facilitate a connection between signaling device 500 and a scoring apparatus. In another embodiment the isolation unit may be built into the scoring apparatus as provided by the manufacturer. In such embodiments, the isolation unit may not be included in signaling device 500.

Signaling device 500 may include a microcontroller 504 and one or more radio transceivers 506, 508. Microcontroller 504 may be any one of the many microcontrollers available, including, for example, BeagleBone Black, a Raspberry Pi microcontroller, an Arduino microcontroller, STM32 Discovery, etc. In one embodiment, radio transceiver(s) 506, 508 may be a Wi-Fi device, a Bluetooth device, a ZigBee device, or any other device dedicated to secure short-range communication. In one embodiment, the signaling device may include multiple radio transceivers (e.g., radio transceiver 506 and radio transceiver 508). Each radio transceiver 506, 508 may correspond to a different fencer. For example, radio transceiver 506 may communicate with a receiving device attached to one fencer's uniform, while radio transceiver 508 may communicate with a receiving device attached to the other fencer's uniform. In other embodiments, the signaling device may include one radio transceiver wherein the single transceiver may communicate with each receiving device attached to each fencer's uniform.

A first signal may be received by microcontroller 504 through a signaling device interface 502. The first signal may be transmitted from the scoring apparatus electrically connected to signaling device 500 via signaling device interface 502. In one embodiment, the first signal may be an analog signal. In another embodiment, the first signal may be a digital signal. The first signal may include information regarding which fencer made a touch and whether the touch was a valid touch. In one embodiment, the first signal may include information regarding which light source of a light source arrangement (e.g., attached to fencer's face mask or sewn onto or woven into fencer's uniform) is to be illuminated.

Microcontroller 504 may decode the signal to determine which light source of the light source arrangement is to be illuminated. Microcontroller 504 may generate a second signal, wherein the second signal includes the decoded information. Microcontroller 504 may transmit the second signal to radio transceiver 506. In one embodiment, microcontroller 504 may transmit the second signal to only one radio transceiver 506, 508. The radio transceiver 506, 508 that receives the second signal may be associated with the fencer that made the touch. In another embodiment, microcontroller may transmit the second signal to both radio transceivers 506, 508.

Radio transceiver(s) 506, 508 may receive the second signal from microcontroller 504. Radio transceiver(s) 506, 508 may convert the second signal to a wireless signal. The second signal may include information regarding which light source of the light source arrangement is to be illuminated. Radio transceiver(s) 506, 508 may transmit the second signal to the receiving device attached to a fencer's uniform. For example, radio transceiver 506 may transmit the second signal to the receiving device attached to the left fencer's uniform and radio transceiver 508 may transmit the second signal to the receiving device attached to the right fencer's uniform.

During, or in between, fencing competitions, fencers may switch their assigned colors (e.g., if fencers switch sides on the fencing strip). A switch 510 may be provided on signaling device 500 to allow fencers to switch the colors assigned to each fencer. If the colors assigned to each fencer are switched, microcontroller 504 may register the switch. In one embodiment, the second signal generated by microcontroller 504 may include information regarding the newly assigned colors. In another embodiment, microcontroller 504 may generate and transmit a third signal to the appropriate radio transceiver 506, 508. The third signal may contain information regarding the newly assigned color.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example schematic for a receiving device 600, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Both fencers may wear a receiving device 600 during a fencing competition. Receiving device 600 may include a radio transceiver 602. Radio transceiver 602 may be a Wi-Fi device, a Bluetooth device, a ZigBee device, or any other device dedicated to secure short-range communication. Radio transceiver 602 may receive a signal (e.g., the second signal or the third signal transmitted by radio transceiver 506, as illustrated in FIG. 5) from a signaling device. In one embodiment, the signal may be a wireless signal. In one embodiment, only the radio transceiver 602 of the receiving device 600 worn by the fencer that made the touch may receive the signal. In another embodiment, both radio transceivers 602 of the receiving devices 600 worn by both fencers may receive the signal.

Radio transceiver 602 may transmit the signal to a microcontroller 604. Microcontroller 604 may be one of the many microcontrollers available, including, for example, a BeagleBone Black, a Raspberry Pi microcontroller, an Arduino microcontroller, STM32 Discover, etc. In one embodiment, microcontroller 604 may include a plurality of input/output (I/O) pins, wherein each I/O pin is associated with a different light source of the light source arrangement connected to receiving device 600.

In one embodiment, receiving device 600 may further include an indicator light. In some embodiments, the light indicator may be included with light source arrangement 608.The indicator light may indicate to the fencers and the referee what colored light is assigned to each fencer. In one embodiment, the indicator light may be one or more colored LEDs, where each LED corresponds to a colored light included on the display of the scoring apparatus. In another embodiment, the indicator light may be one multi-colored LED. Microcontroller 604 may cause a colored light of the indicator light to be illuminated, where the colored light corresponds with the fencer's assigned color. The colored light of the indicator light may be illuminated until power is no longer provided to receiving device 600 or the fencers or referee switches the color assignment. In one embodiment, the indicator light may not be included on receiving device 600 and instead may be included with the light source arrangement.

Microcontroller 604 may receive the signal from radio transceiver 602. In one embodiment, the signal may include information regarding which light source of the light source arrangement should be illuminated as a result of a touch by a fencer (either valid or invalid). In another embodiment, the signal may include information regarding which colored light of the indicator light should be illuminated. In such an embodiment, the signal may also include an instruction to keep the indicator light illuminated until the indicator light is switched or power to receiving device is lost.

In one embodiment, microcontroller 604 may decode the signal and determine which light source of the light source arrangement is to be illuminated. In one embodiment, microcontroller 604 may determine whether the light source arrangement connected to the receiving device 600 that is associated with a fencer contains a light source that is to be illuminated. In one embodiment, microcontroller 604 may determine that no light source of the light source arrangement connected to receiving device 600 is to be illuminated. In another embodiment, microcontroller 604 may determine that a light source of the light source arrangement is to be illuminated. In such an embodiment, microcontroller 604 may generate a fourth signal where the fourth signal includes information regarding which light source of the light source arrangement to illuminate. In one embodiment, the fourth signal may be an analog signal. Microcontroller 604 may transmit the fourth signal to the I/O pin associated with the light source to be illuminated.

In one embodiment, microcontroller 604 may generate a fifth signal where the fifth signal indicates that a signal (e.g., the second signal or the third signal) was received. Microcontroller 604 may transmit the fifth signal to radio transceiver 602. Radio transceiver 602 may receive the fifth signal and may convert the fifth signal to a wireless signal. Radio transceiver 602 may transmit the fifth signal to a signaling device, such as signaling device 500 illustrated in FIG. 5. A radio transceiver 506, 508 may receive the fifth signal. The radio transceiver 506, 508 that receives the fifth signal may be associated with the fencer to whom receiving device 600 is attached. Radio transceiver 506, 508 may transmit the fifth signal to microcontroller 504 and microcontroller 504 may decode the fifth signal to determine whether a signal (e.g., the second signal, the third signal, the fourth signal) was successfully transmitted and/or decoded by microcontroller 604.

The fourth signal may pass through a light source indicator 606. Light source indicator 606 may transmit the fourth signal to light source arrangement interface 608. Light source arrangement interface 608 may receive the fourth signal from microcontroller 604 after passing through light source indicator 606. Light source arrangement interface 608 may include a plurality of pins, wherein each pin is associated with a light source provided in the light source arrangement. Several pins of light source arrangement interface 608 may also be associated with indicator lights.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example schematic for a light source arrangement 700, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Light source arrangement 700 may be electrically connected to a receiving device, such as receiving device 600 illustrated in FIG. 6. Light source arrangement 700 may be composed of a plurality of different light sources. For example, light source arrangement 700 may include at least two distinct colored light sources 708 and a white light source 706. The different light sources 706, 708 may correspond to the colored lights and the white lights included on the display of the scoring apparatus. Light source arrangement 700 may further include one or more indicator lights 704. Indicator lights 704 may be provided to indicate to the fencers and the referee which colored lights are associated with each fencer. If the fencers switch the color assigned to each fencer (i.e., if the fencers switch sides during the fencing competition), indicator lights 704 may provide an indication that the colors were successfully switched.

In one embodiment, light source arrangement 700 may be configured for attachment to fencer's face mask. Light source arrangement 700 may include one or more LEDs. In one embodiment, the LEDs may be attached to a rigid PCB. The rigid PCB may include a one or more predrilled holes that allow the rigid PDB to be attached to the mesh portion of the fencer's face mask. The rigid PCB may be attached to either the interior or the exterior of the fencer's face mask. In one embodiment, the rigid PCB may be attached to the mesh of the fencer's face mask by a wire hoop (e.g., a staple) threaded through a hole of the rigid PCB and one or more holes of the mesh of the fencer's face mask.

In another embodiment, light source arrangement 700 may include one or more LEDs that are attached to a flexible PCB. The flexible PCB may be attached to the interior of the fencer's face mask. In one embodiment, the flexible PCB may be attached to the interior of the fencer's face mask using an adhesive.

In another embodiment, light source arrangement 700 may be an LEF arrangement. In such an embodiment, light source arrangement 700 may be sewn onto or woven into the fencer's uniform. For example, light source arrangement 700 may be sewn onto or woven into the fencer's jacket. The LEF arrangement may include one or more LEFs and a LEF light source. The LEFs may be bundled together and one end of the LEF bundle may be attached to the LEF light source. LEFs at the unattached end of the LEF bundle may be sewn onto or woven into the fencer's uniform. In one embodiment, the unattached ends of the LEF bundle may be sewn onto or woven into the fencer's jacket. The LEF light source may be composed of at least two distinct colored light sources and one white light source. The different light sources of the LEF light source may correspond to the colored lights and the white lights included on the display of the scoring apparatus. In one embodiment, the LEF light source may include one or more LEDs. In another embodiment, the LEF light source may include one or more laser diodes.

In some embodiments where light source arrangement 700 is an LEF arrangement, light source arrangement 700 may not include one or more indicator lights 704. Rather, indicator lights 704 may be included on the receiving device electrically connected to light source arrangement 700. In other embodiments, the LEF light source may include at least two distinct colored light sources that are designated to provide a color assignment indication on each fencer's uniform. In one embodiment, one or more LEFs of the LEF arrangement may be connected to the designated color assignment light sources separately from other LEFs of the LEF arrangement. The one or more LEFs may be attached to the fencer's uniform (e.g., as a top elastic of the fencer's socks, as a wrist elastic of the fencers jacket sleeve, under a knee elastic of the fencer's knickers, etc.). The one or more LEFs may be continuously illuminated so to provide an indication to the fencers and/or the referee of each fencer's assigned color.

Light source arrangement 700 may be electrically connected to the receiving device via light source arrangement interface 702. Light source arrangement interface 702 may correspond to light source arrangement interface 608 as illustrated in FIG. 6. A signal (e.g., the fourth signal transmitted to light source arrangement interface 608) may be received by light source arrangement 700. The signal may include information regarding which light source of light source arrangement 700 should be illuminated. Light source arrangement interface 702 may provide the signal to the light source, causing that light source to be illuminated.

In one embodiment, a second light source arrangement may be attached to the fencer's uniform. The second light source arrangement may be electrically connected to light source arrangement 700 via a second light source arrangement interface 710. The signals received by light source arrangement 700 may pass through light source arrangement 700, to second light source arrangement interface 710. Second light source arrangement interface 710 may include a plurality of pins, wherein each pin is associated with a light source provided in the second light source arrangement. By allowing the signals to pass through light source arrangement 700 and to second light source arrangement, the same light sources illuminated in light source arrangement 700 may be illuminated in the second light source arrangement. In another embodiment, a series of light source arrangements may be connected in the above described fashion, allowing the fencer to have multiple connected light source arrangements attached to his uniform.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate methods 800 and 900 of implementing wireless signaling for electronic scoring for a fencing competition, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. For simplicity of explanation, methods 800 and 900 are depicted and described as a series of acts. However, acts in accordance with this disclosure can occur in various orders and/or concurrently with other acts not presented and/or described herein. Furthermore, not all acts may be performed to implement methods 800 or 900 in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that methods 800 or 900 could alternatively be represented as interrelated states via a state diagram or events.

Referring now to FIG. 8, at block 810, an electrical connection may be established between a signaling device and a scoring apparatus. The scoring apparatus may be used during a fencing competition to alert a referee and an audience to whether a fencer has touched his opponent with his weapon, and whether the touch was valid (e.g., the fencer touched his opponent's target area with his weapon for the required amount of time). The target area may differ based on the type of fencing competition (e.g., foil, épée, sabre). A fencer's weapon may be electrically connected to a body cord, and the body cord may be electrically connected to a fencer cable. The fencer cable may be further electrically connected to the scoring apparatus. Depending on the type of fencing competition, the body cord may also be electrically connected to a conductive lamé worn over the fencer's uniform. The conductive lamé may cover the fencer's target area.

The display of scoring apparatus may include at least two sets of lights, where each set is associated with a fencer. Each set of lights may include at least a colored light and a white light. The scoring apparatus may register a touch made by a fencer's weapon and cause either a colored light (if the touch was valid) or a white light to be illuminated (if the touch was invalid).

The signaling device may be electrically connected to the scoring apparatus in place of a set of extender lights. In one embodiment, the signaling device may be electrically connected to the scoring apparatus via the same connection interface reserved for the extender lights.

The signaling device may include an isolation unit. The isolation unit may be an optocoupler, a capacitive coupler, a gigantic magneto resistance (GMR) isolator, or any other isolation component that can provide electrical isolation. In one embodiment, the isolation unit may be included as part of a connector that electrically connects the signaling device to the scoring apparatus. In another embodiment, the isolation unit may be built into the scoring apparatus as provided by the manufacturer. In such an embodiment, the isolation unit may not be included as part of the signaling device.

The signaling device may further include a microcontroller. The microcontroller may be any one of the many microcontrollers available, including, for example, BeagleBone Black, a Raspberry Pi controller, an Arduino controller, STM32 Discovery, etc.

The signaling device may further include a radio transceiver. The radio transceiver may include a Wi-Fi device, a Bluetooth device, a ZigBee device, or any other device dedicated to secure short-range communication.

At block 812, a wireless connection may be established between the signaling device and a receiving device. The receiving device may be attached to the fencer's uniform during a fencing competition. Each fencer may have a receiving device attached to his uniform during the fencing competition. In one embodiment, the receiving device may be attached to each fencer's face mask. In another embodiment, the receiving device may be attached to each fencer's jacket.

The receiving device may include a radio transceiver and a microcontroller. The radio transceiver may be a Wi-Fi device, a Bluetooth device, a ZigBee device or any other device dedicated to secure short-range communication. The microcontroller may be any one of the many microcontrollers available, including, for example, BeagleBone Black, a Raspberry Pi controller, an Arduino controller, STM32 Discovery, etc. The receiving device may be electrically connected to a light source arrangement. The light source arrangement may be attached to the fencer's uniform during the fencing competition. Each fencer may have a light source arrangement attached to his uniform during the fencing competition. In one embodiment, the light source arrangement may be attached to each fencer's face mask. In another embodiment, the light source arrangement may be sewn onto or woven into each fencer's uniform.

At block 814, the signaling device may receive a first signal from the scoring apparatus indicating a fencer touched his opponent with his weapon during a fencing competition. A fencer's weapon may touch the fencer's opponent and the weapon may transmit an electrical signal through the electrically connected body cord to the scoring apparatus. The scoring apparatus may determine which fencer made the touch and whether the touch was valid or invalid. The scoring apparatus may cause a colored light to be illuminated if the touch was valid, or a white light to be illuminated if the touch was invalid. The illuminated lights may correspond to the specific fencer that made the touch.

The scoring apparatus may transmit the first signal to the signaling device, where the first signal includes the information regarding the touch. The microcontroller of the signaling device may generate a second signal including information regarding the touch. The signaling device may convert the second signal to a wireless signal.

At block 816, the signaling device may transmit the second signal indicating that the touch occurred to the receiving device. The signaling device may transmit the second signal through a radio transceiver of the signaling device. The second signal may be received by the radio transceiver of the receiving device. The microcontroller may decode the second signal to determine which light source of the light source arrangement to illuminate. At block 818, the second signal may be received by the receiving device. The second signal may be a wireless signal. In one embodiment, only the receiving device worn by the fencer that made the touch may receive the signal. In another embodiment, both receiving devices worn by both fencers may receive the signal.

At block 820, the receiving device may determine whether the second signal should be acted on by the receiving device. The receiving device may decode the second signal to determine which fencer made the touch and whether the touch was a valid touch. The second signal may specify that lights of a particular fencer (e.g., fencer A) are to be lit. The receiving device may decode the signal to determine if it is set to fencer A or fencer B. If the signal indicated that lights of fencer A are to be lit up, then the receiving device for fencer A may determine that it should light up one or more lights in accordance with the second signal. However, the receiving device for fencer B may decode the second signal and determine that it should not light up any lights. If the receiving device determines that the second signal should not be acted on, method 800 may end. If the receiving device determines that the second signal should be acted on, method 800 may continue to block 822.

At block 822, the receiving device may determine which light source of the light source arrangement to illuminate.

At block 824, the receiving device may cause the appropriate determined light source of the light source arrangement to be illuminated (e.g., the red lights or the green lights or the white lights of the light source arrangement). The illuminated light source may correspond to the illuminated light on the display of the scoring apparatus. As the fencing competition continues, method 800 may return to block 814. If the fencing competition has ended (e.g., either fencer has scored a threshold number of points or a competition time has expired), method 800 may terminate.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method 900 of implementing wireless signaling for electronic scoring for a fencing competition, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. At block 910, an electrical connection may be established between a signaling device and a scoring apparatus.

At block 912, a wireless connection may be established between the signaling device and a receiving device. At block 914, a first signal may be received by the signaling device indicating that the wireless connection was successfully established. An isolation unit of the signaling device may prevent the first signal from being transmitted to the scoring apparatus.

At block 916, a color assignment may be registered for the fencers of the fencing competition. The color assignment may be registered through a switch included on the signaling device and/or a switch included in the receiving device. If the switch is activated, a microcontroller of the signaling device may associate a color assignment with a fencer of the fencing competition. The microcontroller may generate a second signal where the second signal contains information regarding the assigned color.

At block 918, the second signal may be transmitted to the receiving device. The second signal may contain information regarding the color assignment for the fencers. In one embodiment, the second signal may be transmitted to each receiving device attached to each fencer. In a further embodiment, the second signal may include information regarding the color assignment for both fencers. In another embodiment the second signal may be transmitted to one receiving device attached to one fencer. In such an embodiment, the second signal may include information regarding the color assignment of that fencer.

At block 920, a light source associated with the color assignment may be illuminated. The light source associated with the color assignment may include an indicator light. In one embodiment, the indicator light may be included on the receiving device associated with each fencer. In another embodiment, the indicator light may be included as a light source of the light source arrangement connected to the receiving device associated with each fencer.

At block 922, a third signal may be received by the signaling device indicating that the light source associated with the color assignment is illuminated. The isolation unit of the signaling device may prevent the third signal from being transmitted to the scoring apparatus.

At block 924, a fourth signal may be received by the signaling device indicating that a fencer touched his weapon to his opponent. The fourth signal may include information regarding the touch.

At block 926, it may be determined which receiving device is associated with the color assigned to the fencer that made the touch. In one embodiment, the microcontroller of the signaling device may determine which colored light of the scoring apparatus display was illuminated. Microcontroller may determine which fencer is associated with the color of the light illuminated on the scoring apparatus display.

At block 928, a fifth signal may be transmitted to the receiving device associated with the color assigned to the fencer that made the touch. In one embodiment, the fifth signal may be transmitted to only the receiving device associated with the color assigned to the fencer that made the touch. In another embodiment, the fifth signal may be transmitted to both receiving devices worn by both fencers. As the fencing competition continues, method 900 may return to block 924. If the fencing competition has ended, method 900 may terminate.

The preceding description sets forth numerous specific details such as examples of specific systems, components, methods, and so forth, in order to provide a good understanding of several embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that at least some embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components or methods are not described in detail or are presented in simple block diagram format in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. Particular implementations may vary from these exemplary details and still be contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” When the term “about” or “approximately” is used herein, this is intended to mean that the nominal value is precise within ±10%.

Although the operations of the methods herein are shown and described in a particular order, the order of operations of each method may be altered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse order so that certain operations may be performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct operations may be in an intermittent and/or alternating manner.

It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

WIRELESS SIGNALING FOR ELECTRONIC FENCING SCORING SYSTEM

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