Method and communication device for providing a list of plays for sporting event participants

A communication device for event participants includes a communication module and a controller coupled to the communication module. The controller is configured to at least one of receive and generate a list of messages for an event participant, store the list of messages in the communication device, receive event information through the communication module, and modify the list of messages based on the received event information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter described herein relates generally to sporting events and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for communicating with sporting event participants.

At least some know sporting events, such as team-oriented athletic events, involve different participants that perform distinct roles during the event and that receive direction during the event. For example, an athletic game may include a plurality of athletes that receive directions from one or more coaches. The coaches may direct the athletes to perform specific plays at specific times. In at least some known athletic games, the coaches are often separated from the players by a distance that makes oral communication of the plays to the players from the coaches difficult and/or impractical. Moreover, athletic games such as football are often played in stadiums or other venues that may be filled with spectators, and a noise level generated by the spectators can also impede communication between coaches and players.

At least one known device for communicating from coaches to players uses a radio system contained within a player's helmet. The helmet may contain a radio receiver that communicates with a radio transmitter used by a coach. However, if the spectators or noise within the stadium are too loud, the player may still be unable to hear communications from the coach. As such, plays communicated by the coach may not be received or may be misunderstood by one or more players.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a communication device for event participants is provided that includes a communication module and a controller coupled to the communication module. The controller is configured to at least one of receive and generate a list of messages for an event participant, store the list of messages in the communication device, receive event information through the communication module, and modify the list of messages based on the received event information.

In another embodiment, a communication system for event participants is provided that includes a plurality of communication devices configured to be communicatively coupled together. Each communication device includes a communication module and a controller coupled to the communication module. The controller is configured to at least one of receive and generate a list of messages for an event participant, store the list of messages in the communication device, receive event information through the communication module, and modify the list of messages based on the received event information.

In yet another embodiment, a method for communicating with event participants is provided that includes providing a plurality of communication devices, communicatively coupling together a first plurality of communication devices of the plurality of communication devices to form a first network, and transmitting data including at least one of audio signals and at least one message within the first network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the embodiments are described herein being used within the game of football, the embodiments and devices described herein may be used within any suitable sporting event, athletic event, and/or any other event.

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary communication device100that may be used in events such as athletic games to enable two-way communication as described herein. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, device100is described as being used in a football game. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, communication device100includes a coupling device102and a housing104. Coupling device102enables housing104to be coupled to a desired location on a participant, such as on a wrist or arm of an athlete. Coupling device102may include, but is not limited to only including, hook and loop fasteners, an elastic band, fasteners, snaps, buckles, athletic tape, and/or any suitable fastener mechanism that enables housing104to be coupled to a suitable location. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, coupling device102is designed to be water-resistant and impact-resistant such that housing104is retained on the athlete's wrist or arm during high impact or high contact sporting events, such as football games.

In the exemplary embodiment, housing104includes a display106, a processor108, a memory110, a user interface112, a communication module114, and an audio module116. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, housing104includes at least one power source (not shown), such as one or more batteries, that provides power to the components contained within housing104. Display106, memory110, user interface112, communication module114, and audio module116are coupled to processor108and are in data communication with processor108. In the exemplary embodiment, housing104is also impact-resistant to facilitate protecting the components within housing104during high impact events. In one embodiment, housing104is at least partially deformable, such that housing104at least partially bends when impacted. Alternatively or additionally, in the exemplary embodiment, housing104includes a cover118that facilitates protecting components of communication device100, such as display106, user interface112, and/or any suitable component of communication device100. Cover118is selectively movable relative to the other components contained within housing104. For example, cover118may be hinged, slidably, and/or foldably coupled to housing104via a coupling mechanism120to enable cover118to be selectively opened and closed to provide access to display106, user interface112, and/or other components of communication device100. For example, when a play is about to be initiated during game play, a user may close cover118to facilitate protecting communication device100from impact.

Display106may include, but is not limited to only including, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, a plasma display, and/or any suitable visual output device that enables graphical data and text to be displayed a user. In one embodiment, display106includes one or more LEDs and/or other suitable devices that provide coloring and/or lighting (such as backlighting) to one or more portions of housing104. In another embodiment, housing104includes multiple displays106. In the exemplary embodiment, display106is a touch screen that enables a user to input data into communication device100.

Processor108transmits and receives data to and from, and controls an operation of one or more components of communication device100. As used herein, the term “processor” is not limited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art as a processor, but broadly refers to a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits, and these terms are used interchangeably herein.

Memory110includes a computer readable medium, such as, without limitation, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a flash drive, a compact disc, a digital video disc, and/or any suitable memory that enables processor108to store, retrieve, and/or execute instructions and/or data. In the exemplary embodiment, memory110includes and/or receives a list of plays (not shown inFIG. 1) that may be accessed and/or displayed by communication device100.

User interface112includes, without limitation, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a scroll wheel, a pointing device, an audio input device employing speech-recognition software, and/or any suitable device that enables a user to input data into communication device100and/or retrieve data from communication device100as described herein. In one embodiment, user interface112is at least partially integrated within display106, such as within a touch screen. In the exemplary embodiment, user interface112also includes at least one button and/or switch that enables a user to access additional or alternative functions of communication device100, as described more fully herein.

Communication module114includes, without limitation, a wireless radio-frequency (RF) transceiver. Communication module114may be configured to connect to a network and/or to other communication devices100using any suitable communication protocol, such as, without limitation, an Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 protocol, an IEEE 802.15 protocol, and/or an IEEE 802.16 protocol. Moreover, communication module114may use spread spectrum, frequency hopping, and/or any suitable technique to facilitate reducing or eliminating RF interference with communication module114. In one embodiment, communication module114communicates with a wireless headset (not shown), such as an athletic helmet, to enable data to be transmitted and received between communication device100and the headset.

In the exemplary embodiment, audio module116includes a microphone and at least one speaker. Audio module116uses noise cancellation and/or filtering technology to substantially eliminate background noise that may be present within an event venue, such as a football stadium, from entering the microphone and/or the speaker. Moreover, the microphone and/or speaker(s) of audio module116may be selectively disabled or muted if communication device100is coupled to an external speaker and/or microphone (not shown), such as a speaker and/or a microphone within a helmet or a headset. Audio module116enables a user to transmit and receive audio signals from one communication module114and/or communication device100to another communication module114and/or communication device100. As such, audio module116enables audio communication between users of different communication devices100and/or other suitable devices.

In one embodiment, communication device100includes a global positioning satellite (GPS) system that enables a location of device100to be monitored and/or tracked. For example, if communication device100is misplaced or lost, the GPS system facilitates enabling the owner to locate and retrieve device100.

FIG. 2illustrates an exemplary list200(or playlist) of communication messages or plays202, such as offensive, defensive, or special teams plays, or other sequence of events that may be selectively generated, received, and/or stored within communication device100, such as within memory110(shown inFIG. 1). As used herein, in the exemplary embodiment, list200is a listing of desired plays, wherein each “play” refers to a predefined action or set of actions that an athlete or a group of athletes (such as a team) should perform at or within a specific time, such as during a specific “down” of a football game.

In the exemplary embodiment, memory110includes any suitable number of playlists200, and any suitable number of plays202within playlist200. Each play202included within playlist200includes at least one play image204and at least one associated data field206that may be used, for example, to categorize, order, sort, and/or determine a sequence of plays202to display. In one embodiment, play image204provides a visual representation of a play to be executed (or “run”) by a team and/or an athlete. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, play image204displays a formation of the team members upon the field of play, and includes a visual depiction of the actions that each team member should take (i.e., a route that each player should run, blocking schemes of other players, etc.). Image204may also include text and/or notes that describe one or more aspects of play202. Alternatively, play image204may include any suitable visual and/or graphical representation of a play202and/or image204may include a link to an audio selection included within or associated with play202.

Data fields206provide information associated with each play202, such as a suitable situation in which play202should be run. For example, typical information that can be included within data fields206and associated with each play202may include, without limitation, whether play202is designed to be run in a particular field location, within certain yard lines, along, towards, and/or near the sidelines of the field, and/or within a particular area of the field (such as the area of a field known as the “red zone”), whether play202is a running play, a passing play, a trick play, or other suitable play type, whether play202is a defensive play, an offensive play, or a special teams play, and/or whether play202is designed to be used during a particular down (e.g., whether play202is a first down play, a second down play, etc.). Moreover, each play202may include additional information within data fields206, such as an expected yardage gain for each play202, a code name, play number, and/or other identifier for each play202, and/or a specific opposing team that each play202is suitable to be used against. Each data field206may also include a note field for optionally entering and/or displaying text, such as text indicating a likelihood of success or the effectiveness of each play202based on data accumulated from the current game or based on historical data accumulated from previous games against the same opposing team and/or other teams, and/or any suitable text. Additionally, a user, such as an athlete or a coach, may record an audio file and associate the audio file with a particular play202, such as their opinions or thoughts about how effectively each play202was run against the opposing team and/or pitfalls or reminders about that particular play. Furthermore, in one embodiment, each play202may be modified after being downloaded into communication device100. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, device100is dynamic and plays202may be modified, synchronized, and/or updated between other communication devices100and/or downloaded to a computer and/or other suitable device as desired.

Each play202may be rank-ordered, sorted, and/or filtered by one or more data fields206. More specifically, plays202may be rank-ordered, sorted, and/or filtered based on the play number, the play type, the down number, the field location, the opposing team, the elapsed time in the game, and/or any other suitable criteria that may be input in data fields206and displayed on display106(shown inFIG. 1). Moreover, plays202may be filtered to prevent certain plays from being displayed based on undesired data field206values. For example, only “red zone” plays202may be displayed, only running plays202may be displayed, and/or only first down plays202may be selected to be displayed. The filtering, sorting, and/or rank-ordering of plays202is variably selected and dynamic, such that a user may change the filtering, sorting, and/or the rank-ordering of plays202at any suitable time including in real-time, such as while a game is being played, by using processor108(shown inFIG. 1) to filter out, prioritize, and/or deprioritize specific data fields206. As used herein, the terms “prioritize” and “deprioritize” refer to increasing or decreasing, respectively, a weighting and/or a placement of plays202within the rank-ordering of playlist200, (i.e., a prioritized play202is generally displayed before a deprioritized play202) and/or increasing a likelihood of a play202being displayed or not being displayed. For example, plays202identified as running plays may be weighted and/or prioritized higher than other plays202such that the running plays202have a greater probability of being displayed before other plays202.

In one embodiment, a master playlist (not shown) is downloaded and/or stored within communication device100. The master playlist includes all plays202that a particular team has available for use, or a suitable subset thereof. One or more playlists200may be generated and/or selected from the master playlist.

In one embodiment, communication device100is substantially synchronized with a third party system, such as a time clock, a scoreboard computer, a timekeeper computer, or other computer, and/or any suitable system or device. In such an embodiment, communication device100receives event information, such as an amount of time left in a quarter or game, an amount of time remaining on a play clock, a current down number, a current yard location on the field, and/or any suitable data. Such received information may be displayed to a user via display106and/or via any other suitable component of communication device100. For example, in one embodiment, if device100receives data indicating that less than two minutes remain in the game, audio module116(shown inFIG. 1) emits a tone, beep, alarm, and/or any other suitable audial alert to notify the user. Moreover, communication device100may automatically adjust the information displayed on display106based on the event information received. For example, in one embodiment, communication device100adds and/or removes one or more plays202within playlist200based on the received event information. For instance, in one embodiment, communication device100receives event information that indicates that the current down number is first down. Automatically, in such an embodiment, all plays202are removed from display106and/or playlist200except those designated in data fields206as first down plays202. The modified or filtered playlist200is then displayed on display106. In another example, communication device100receives event information indicating that the team has progressed to, or is starting their engagement in, a specific area of the playing field, such as in the red zone. In such an example, all plays202are removed from display106and/or playlist200except those designated in data fields206as red zone plays202. The modified or filtered playlist200is then displayed to the user on display106. In a further embodiment, communication device100may indicate that the ball location is within the red zone by, for example, displaying a red shading, a red lighting, and/or a red border within display106, or any suitably colored shading, display, and/or border.

Communication device100may also modify an order of plays202within playlist200based on the received event information. For example, if communication device100receives event information indicating that the current down number is first down, communication device100may prioritize first down plays202higher than other plays202within playlist200and/or may provide the user an option to selectively view other plays202in playlist200. Playlist200displays plays202leveling a rank-order or on a prioritized basis such that all first down plays202are displayed first, and the remaining plays202within playlist200are displayed after the first down plays202.

FIG. 3illustrates exemplary modes300of operation of communication device100(shown inFIG. 1).FIG. 4illustrates a specific embodiment of communication device100. AlthoughFIG. 3illustrates only three modes300of operation, communication device100may be configured to operate using any suitable number of modes300. In the exemplary embodiment, when communication device100is operating in a first mode302(such as an offensive mode), a first playlist200is displayed with a first plurality of plays202. When communication device100is operating in a second mode304(such as a defensive mode), a second playlist200is displayed with a second plurality of plays202wherein at least some of the plays202may be different than those displayed in the first mode302of operation. When communication device100is operating in a third mode306(such as a special teams mode), a third playlist200is displayed with a third plurality of plays202. In the exemplary embodiment, each of first playlist200, second playlist200, and third playlist200includes at least one play202that is not present in the other playlists. Alternatively, first playlist200, second playlist200, and/or third playlist200include substantially similar plays202, but different plays202may be filtered and/or displayed within each playlist.

In the exemplary embodiment, a separate playlist200may be displayed on display106(shown inFIG. 1) during each mode300. For example, when communication device100is operating in offensive mode302, only plays202identified in data fields206(shown inFIG. 2) as being offensive (or other suitable value) are displayed. However, when communication device100is operating in defensive mode304or special teams mode306, only plays202identified in data fields206as associated with defensive or special teams, respectively, are displayed.

As shown inFIG. 4, in one configuration of communication device100, a plurality of buttons400are included within user interface112, such as an offensive mode button402, a defensive mode button404, and a special teams mode button406. A user may selectively toggle between various modes300of operation by pressing offensive mode button402, defensive mode button404, and/or special teams mode button406. For example, communication device100enters offensive mode302when offensive mode button402is depressed, defensive mode304when defensive mode button404is depressed, and special teams mode306when special teams mode button406is depressed. Alternatively, buttons400may be configured in any suitable manner that enables a user to selectively enter any suitable mode300as desired. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 4, user interface112includes a power-on button408and a power-off button410that energize and deenergize communication device100, respectively. User interface112also includes volume buttons412for adjusting an audio output level of a speaker414within audio module116(shown inFIG. 1). In an alternative embodiment, one or more buttons400are embodied within a touch screen within user interface112and/or display106. In a further alternative embodiment, user interface112and/or communication device100includes any suitable number and arrangement of buttons400that enables device100to function as described herein.

FIG. 5illustrates exemplary networks500of communication devices100. In the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of communication devices100are coupled in at least one network500based on the particular mode300(shown inFIG. 3) of operation that device100is operating in. Moreover, each communication device100may be configured to operate in any mode300. More specifically, each network500includes all communication devices100that are operating within a particular mode300. For example, each communication device100operating in an offensive mode302(shown inFIG. 3) of operation communicates with every other communication device100operating in the same mode302such that a first or offensive network502is formed. Similarly, communication devices100operating in a defensive mode304(shown inFIG. 3) of operation form a second or defensive network504, and communication devices100operating in a special teams mode306(shown inFIG. 3) of operation form a third or special teams network506. A fourth or team network508may be formed that includes at least one communication device100operating in each mode302,304, and306of operation. In such an embodiment, a head coach, a game manager, or other suitable user may operate a communication device100in a fourth mode (not shown) of operation that is capable of communicating with other communication devices100through the team network508to transmit and/or receive data from any or all other communication devices100. A suitable icon or other notification may be displayed on display106of each communication device100to indicate which operating mode300and/or network500that each communication device100is operating within. Moreover, data, including audio signals, plays202, and/or playlists200(both shown inFIG. 2), are transmitted and received within each network500by the devices100within the same network500.

As such, a plurality of networks500may be formed that are each distinct, such that the devices100in each network500only communicate with those devices100in their respective network500. For example, defensive coaches and one or more defensive players may operate a plurality of communication devices100in a defensive mode304of operation in a defensive network504. Network504will only receive data relating to those plays202identified as applicable to defensive network504and will not receive data relating to those plays202identified as applicable to other networks500. Similarly, offensive coaches and one or more offensive players (such as a quarterback) may operate a plurality of communication devices100in an offensive mode302of operation in an offensive network502, and special teams coaches and one or more special teams players may operate a plurality of communication devices100in a special teams mode306of operation in a special teams network506.

Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, all data transmitted and received within one network500is prevented from being transmitted and received within other networks500. For example, data transmitted and received within defensive network504is not transmitted or received within offensive network502, special teams network506, or team network508. However, since team network508may include one or more communication devices100within one or more networks500such as defensive network504, offensive network502, and/or special teams network506, data transmitted and received within team network508(i.e., communication devices100operating in the fourth mode or head coach mode) may be transmitted and received within any networks500and/or communication devices100of team network508. Alternatively, networks500may be configured in any suitable manner. For example, in one embodiment, networks500may overlap with other networks as desired, such that data transmitted and received within networks500may be shared (i.e., transmitted and received within all overlapping networks500). For example, special teams network506may at least partially overlap defensive network504and/or offensive network502.

Alternatively or additionally, users may transmit and/or receive data to and/or from only specified or designated communication devices100, rather than to all communication devices100within a network500. In such embodiment, each communication device100includes a unique identification number or other identifier that enables each communication device100within a network500to be distinguished from other communication devices100within network500. A user may select a specific communication device100to transmit data to or receive data from by, for example, selecting a communication device100from a list of available communication devices100within display106.

During operation, in the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of communication devices100are used by, for example, a quarterback, a defensive captain, a special teams captain, and/or one or more coaches and/or coordinators. Alternatively, any suitable player, athlete, and/or other suitable person may use communication device100. In the exemplary embodiment, devices100are worn on a wrist or arm of a user, such as a player and/or a coach. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, one or more communication devices100may operate in a low-power state to facilitate reducing power consumption and/or to prolong battery life.

In one example, if a football team is in possession of a football, a head coach, one or more offensive coaches or coordinators, and/or one or more players, such as a quarterback, operate individual communication devices100in offensive mode302. In addition, at least one coach may operate a device in a team network508. The head coach selects one or more plays202and/or playlists200for the offensive team to execute. Using device100, the head coach transmits the one or more plays202and/or playlists200to one or more offensive coaches and/or directly to a player, such as the quarterback. In addition, or in the alternative, an offensive coach or coaches may also transmit one or more plays202and/or playlists200to the quarterback. Alternatively, the head coach or other coaches may use a computer or other data device to select and transmit one or more plays202to one or more communication devices100within offensive network502and/or team network508. In the exemplary embodiment, the quarterback receives plays202and/or playlists200on communication device100, and views plays202and/or playlists200on display106. Plays202and/or playlist200may be filtered, sorted, and/or rank-ordered based on data contained in data fields206. The quarterback may scroll through plays202using user interface112, and may select a play202to view an image of the play202and/or any data associated with each play202. The quarterback may then communicate play202to other offensive players within a huddle to enable the offensive team to execute play202.

In one embodiment, communication devices100receive event information from a computer or other suitable device that identifies one or more status aspects of the game, such as an amount of time left in the game or quarter, a field location of the ball, a current down number, a number of time-outs remaining, and/or any suitable information. Communication device100automatically filters, sorts, and/or rank-orders plays202based on the received event information as described more fully herein. As such, the head coach, offensive coaches, quarterback, and/or any suitable user may quickly view more useful and/or relevant plays202, according to the current state of the game, before other less useful and/or less relevant plays202are displayed. Therefore, if the received event information indicates that the current down number is first down, the head coach can quickly view first down plays202and select a desired first down play202to transmit to the offensive coaches and/or the quarterback. Moreover, the head coach and/or other users may filter and/or order plays202based on any suitable data field206and/or combination of data fields206.

In a similar manner, if the football team is in a defensive or a special teams situation, the head coach, defensive coaches, special teams coaches, and/or any suitable user may select defensive plays202and/or special teams plays202to transmit to appropriate communication devices100within appropriate networks500, as described more fully herein.

A technical effect of the systems and method described herein includes at least one of: (a) providing a plurality of communication devices; (b) communicatively coupling together a first plurality of communication devices of a plurality of communication devices to form a first network; and (c) transmitting at least one of audio signals and at least one play within a network.

The above-described embodiments facilitate providing a portable and robust communication device for events such as, without limitation, athletic events and sporting events. The communication device facilitates enabling constant and/or selective communication between one or more coaches and one or more players in a game. The communication device enables one or more plays and/or playlists to be transmitted and received between the coaches and players to facilitate selecting a desired play or plays to execute within the game. Images and/or details associated with the plays or playlists may be viewed and/or modified within the communication devices. The plays and/or playlists may be filtered or modified such that only certain types or categories of plays are displayed, or such that certain types or categories of plays are displayed before other plays. Event information may be received by the communication devices and one or more playlists may be modified based on the received event information. Moreover, each communication device may be operated in one or more modes, and one or more networks of communication devices may be formed based on the modes.

Exemplary embodiments of a communication device, a communication system, and a method for communicating with event participants are described above in detail. The method, device, and system are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the device and/or system and/or steps of the method may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. For example, the communication device may also be used in combination with other events, and is not limited to practice with only the events or games as described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other sporting event, athletic event, and/or other communication applications.