Abstract:
Described is a method of capturing and reporting scores including receiving shot event data composed of identity data respecting an identity of a shooter and shot data respecting a shot made by the shooter; recording the identity data, the shot data and a relationship therebetween; and processing the shot event data according to competition rules and generating score data. An apparatus and system configured for performing the method also is disclosed.

Description:
REFERENCE TO EARLIER APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This Application incorporates by reference and, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/111,142 filed on Feb. 3, 2015. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    This invention is not the subject of federally sponsored research or development. 
       RESERVATION OF COPYRIGHTS 
       [0003]    Portions of the disclosure of this document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to any reproduction of the document or disclosure as it appears in official records, but reserves all remaining rights under copyright. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Clay pigeon shooting includes three major disciplines: 1. trap shooting; 2. skeet shooting; and 3. sporting clays. In trap shooting, the targets are launched from a single “house” or machine T, as shown in the Figure, generally away from the shooter. In skeet shooting, the targets are launched from two “houses” in along paths that intersect in front of the shooter. Sporting clays involves traversing a complex course along which are many “houses” points that launch the targets in random directions. 
         [0005]    In the United States, American Trap is the most popular form of clay target shooting practiced. American Trap has three categories: 1. singles; 2. doubles; and 3. handicap. For singles and doubles, five “stations” are provided for shooters behind the trap house. In singles, each shooter shoots from each station at five targets thrown in an unknown direction and arc. In doubles, the machine does not oscillate, but throws two targets simultaneously for each competitor. Handicap events are similar to singles events except that shooters stand farther from the trap house. 
         [0006]    Competitions involving clay pigeon shooting regularly occur throughout the world. Although governed by different standards and regulations, all of the competitions depend on accurate recordation and reporting of whether a competing shooter hit or missed a pigeon. 
         [0007]    In the United States, the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) is recognized and sets the standards and rules that governs all competitions large and small. Although every competition venue employs a computer that runs software for entering data respecting competing shooters and their shots and then processing their scores, typically only the major competitions employ Shooting Sports Software (3S). Smaller competitions, such as for high schools, often employ less sophisticated software. 
         [0008]    For the 3S program, shooter and shot data input is slow and prone to errors. Data typically is entered manually into fields provided by the 3S program from paper entry applications and shot score sheets. The poor 3S interface does not easily accept digital data, in particular respecting scores. Non-3S programs also tend to be designed for manual data input. 
         [0009]    Copying scores from paper applications and score sheets into the input screen of a computer program is cumbersome and unreliable, particularly for score sheets in at least two important ways. First, especially during popular competitions, human errors may unintentionally suppress or enhance a competitor&#39;s true performance on the range. Second, especially where wagering is a permitted component of the competition, human motives may intentionally alter a competitor&#39;s true performance. Regardless of the origin of the concern, ensuring data integrity is paramount. 
         [0010]    What is needed is a method of and system for receiving shot data, inputting the data into existing processors for processing, and/or processing the data and outputting the results therefrom in a quick, reliable fashion. Since the invention improves on what is publicly available, this disclosure does not extend to details thereof except as needed for context. 
         [0011]    The invention provides improved elements and arrangements thereof, for the purposes described, which are inexpensive, dependable and effective in accomplishing intended purposes of the invention. 
         [0012]    Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, which refers to the accompanying drawing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0013]    The invention is described in detail below with reference to the following figure, which is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system for and method of capturing and reporting scores configured according to principles of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    This disclosure is not limited in application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth or illustrated in the drawings herein. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Phraseology and terminology used herein is for description and should not be regarded as limiting. Uses of “including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, “connected,” “coupled” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. “Connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical or electrical connections or couplings. Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanical or electrical configurations described or illustrated are intended to exemplify embodiments of the disclosure. However, alternative mechanical or electrical configurations are possible, which are considered to be within the teachings of the disclosure. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, “or” is to be considered inclusive. 
         [0015]    The invention is a method of and system for providing shooter and shot score data recorded via an electronic tablet, such as, but not limited to an Apple iPad® or iPhone®, to a web-based database and either providing the data to computers running existing software for subsequent processing and report output, or internally processing the data and outputting report. 
         [0016]    Referring to the Figure, an embodiment of a system for capturing and reporting scores configured according to principles of the invention includes a server  5  that is in communication with the world wide web or global internet via a router (not shown). Server  5  includes sufficient memory and processors for receiving, storing, processing and distributing data. 
         [0017]    The invention also includes one or more electronic tablets  10  that each have sufficient memory and processors adapted for running software configured for receiving data and then establishing electronic communications with server  5  and providing data thereto. Preferably, the electronic communications occur via a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as WiFi, bluetooth, infrared or other convention  20 , local to tablet  10 , but also may occur via non-local networking, such as via mobile cellular communications. Preferably, all communications are encrypted to prevent interception and manipulation. 
         [0018]    Software on tablet  10  instructs tablet  10  to display a form (not shown) for receiving contact data input respecting individual shooters. When data entry is complete, the software instructs the tablet to establish communications with server  5  and store the data thereon. 
         [0019]    To overcome the concerns noted above for manually entering data in the 3S and other software programs currently used for managing shooting competitions, the invention provides for formatting these data in a manner that corresponds with the programs for direct receipt therein, for example with an appropriately-ordered CSV-format file. In practice, a club manager seeking to enter the manager&#39;s club in a competition may use the software on tablet  10  to instruct server  5  to transmit a file or files containing the contact data of its participating members to a third party, such as the competition manager for entry into the competition manager&#39;s computer system  15  for the competition venue. 
         [0020]    To further streamline competition management, the invention also provides for registering or checking in shooters for competitions via tablet  10 . Preferably, shooters may use tablet  10  to identify themselves via a keyboard associated with tablet  10 , select their names from a list displayed on tablet  10  via touchscreen capabilities, have recognized their identifying data disposed on a medium via magnetic card reader or optical indicia scanner, or implement other means for remotely identifying the shooter. The identifying data then is transferred to the competition manager for subsequent matching up and recognition of the shooter. 
         [0021]    Tablet  10  is configured to run software that instructs tablet  10  to display a form (not shown) pertaining to a shooting event. The form may include a control or menu for selecting a particular shooting event. The form includes controls or menus for selecting from the database shooters that are participating in the event. 
         [0022]    For each selected shooter, the form provides controls for recording the results of each of the shooter&#39;s shots, such as hit or miss, or optionally with richer data, such as miss of right- or left-thrown target. These shot data then are communicated to server  5  for storage thereon in association with the shooter&#39;s contact data. Alternatively, the software on tablet  10  or server  5  may be programed or responsive to the control pertaining to a selected event to provide the data directly to a third party computer system with or without storage of the data on server  5  as well. 
         [0023]    Server  5  is configured to process the data received according to programmed rules (step  25 ) and then output corresponding report data, such as shooter scores and line ups, to the competition manager&#39;s computer system  15  for viewing or printing as a report  20 . 
         [0024]    Alternatively, server  5  is configured to transmit the shot data to an authorized third party (not shown) for processing and subsequent display, printing, etc. 
         [0025]    Key elements of the invention include: 
         [0026]    1. providing shooter data entered via electronic tablet into event host database 
         [0027]    2. providing shot data entered via electronic tablet into event host database 
         [0028]    3. shooter check-in via tablet (keyboard, touch, magnetic card reader, QR code scan) 
         [0029]    4. distribute shooter data only to authorized third party. 
         [0030]    The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described and depicted herein, rather only to the following claims.