System, methodology, and computer program for gathering hockey and hockey-type game data

An system, methodology and computer program product for gathering game data pertaining to players, teams, and leagues, so that the players, teams, league, and league administrators have access to the game data. A touch screen computer terminal is provided at the sports venue and it is in communication with a computer network. A server computer is in communication with the touch screen computer terminal over the computer network, and the server computer receives the game data over the computer network from the touch screen computer terminal, and proceeds to and store and organize the game data in a database. The game data is then made available over the computer network to league administrators, so that the league administrators can make quick and accurate decisions based on game data. The game data is also made available to the players over the computer network.

BACKGROUND

In today's society, people are turning more and more to sports for enjoyment and to relieve everyday stress. Sports teams and leagues at the amateur level are presently a rapid growth segment. In fact, a great deal of time is expended by the administrators of these teams and leagues to keep all the game data and player statistical data accurate, current, and complete.

Game data comprising, among other things, statistics is kept for individual players as well for teams and leagues. The way in which these records are kept is oftentimes by pen and paper or worse yet, memory. These methods have their limitations. For example, manually written records can become lost, damaged when in adverse environments, or altered. Further, manually written records on player statistics become unwieldy as the accumulate over time, and ultimately end up being destroyed or recycled. Also, editing paper records causes vast amounts of time to be wasted in simply locating the statistics to be edited.

The problems with the present system is therefore multifaceted. Players and teams have gaps in their personal and team performances, and players oftentimes are forced to keeping their own statistics if they want to monitor their own growth or lack thereof.

Another significant problem associated with present paper based statistical record keeping is that league administrators have old records and oftentimes incomplete, messy, and illegible records to use to make important decisions, such as what players to suspend, resolving disputes, player misconduct, and other related decisions.

Yet another problem with current record keeping techniques is that the statistics become inaccessible to the athletes, as they are kept in logs or manuals controlled by someone else, who is typically inconveniently located. Not having the statistics of how other players are performing can have dramatic effects on competitions. For example, in hockey, mismatches between competing athletes may occur resulting in injuries to one or both of the athletes.

Thus, there is a need for a better way to maintain statistical records (data) pertaining to athletes and sports teams and make this statistical data quickly available to league administrators so that he or she can make important decisions in a timely manner and therefore make the league run more efficiently and safely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a new system and methodology and computer program product for an electronic gamesheet to be used for keeping and maintaining game data, that itself comprises statistical data. The present invention comprises an electronic game sheet that may be used in conjunction with hockey (ice), and other similar sports comprising field hockey, lacrosse, ball hockey, and roller hockey. The system comprises a touch screen computer terminal located at the sporting venue. One of these touch screen computer terminals is positioned at each hockey rink. The touch screen computer terminal (or client computer) is in electronic communication with a system server computer. Game data comprising statistical data, team data, and league data is entered into the touch screen computer terminal at the rink and stored therein as the game is played. An official or scorekeeper enters the game data as it is generated. After the game has ended, the resultant game data entered into the touch screen computer terminal is verified by the referee, and the game data is then uploaded to the server computer from the touch screen computer terminal by way of wireless transmission. The upload may also be by way of the internet (world wide web) if the touch screen computer terminal is linked to same at the hockey rink, which is not always the case. After upload to the server computer, the server computer is in communication with a database and the uploaded game data is stored and organized in the database in tables.

The league administrator, from his or her computer, then accesses the server computer database over the internet and makes important decisions comprising suspending players, resolving disputes, and editing rosters. Indeed, the administrator can prevent unregistered and suspended players from playing by entering this information into the database, so that the scorekeeper sees this information when retrieving that player from the system database in a manner fully described in the detailed description. Additionally, the actual players may view all the game data and their personal statistical data over the internet so that they know the team standings and their own statistics. The players cannot edit their own statistical data, as this important task is for an administrator.

Thus, the system maintains game data in a logical and convenient format, and it is therefore a useful tool for sports organizations. The system eliminates the need for paper records and paper gamesheets and thus eliminates the problems associated with this paper based gamesheets, for example, time delays, messy handwriting, missing/lost gamesheets. Further, the system is superior to the paper gamesheet methods, because when paper gamesheets are used, someone must go to all the separate rinks and collect the outstanding gamesheets. Also, since data is entered into an electronic system, the burden on league administrators is greatly decreased and the administrators can do other things for the sports organization.

Thus, the present invention avoids and overcomes the problems associated with paper gamesheets and handwritten statistical data records and prior methods of managing game data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As seen inFIG. 1, the present invention is for a system30and methodology comprising an electronic gamesheet102(FIG. 2) that keeps track of and maintains the game data100pertaining to hockey players, teams, and leagues, so that league administrators can quickly and efficiently make important decisions pertaining to the hockey game. Among other things, these important decisions comprise whether or not to suspend a player, altering the players on a team, altering the term of a suspension, resolving disputes between team and players and the league, reviewing the games after they are played, inputting the rosters for the teams, and leaving important messages for the teams. The present system30and methodology are beneficial to both recreational and amateur hockey leagues and organizations, as game data100is instantly available over the internet116(world wide web) or by wireless transmission110.

It is noted at the outset that the present detailed description is written for an embodiment of the present invention wherein game data100for the sport of hockey is described and detailedly discussed. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that in alternative embodiments, the present system30and methodology may be embodied so that it can be used in conjunction with other sports comprising: field hockey, lacrosse, ball hockey, and roller hockey without deviating from the principles described herein.

Turning now toFIG. 1, shown therein is a diagrammatic view of the overall layout of the system30. In this embodiment, the system30that comprises a touch screen computer terminal (client computer)32in wireless communication by way of the wireless communication means38, with the server computer114. Shown inFIG. 3is the touch screen computer terminal that the scorekeeper (or referee or game official)34has access. Displayed on the touch screen computer terminal32is an electronic gamesheet102that has the functionality of a graphical user interface (GUI), as seen inFIG. 3. One of the scorekeeper's34jobs is to access the touch screen computer terminal32and enter game data100into the touch screen computer terminal32as the game is played. The touch screen computer terminal (or ice rink computer terminal)32may be securely installed within the penalty box40at the ice rink36, one being installed at each ice rink36in the league. The game data100from the game is entered into the touch screen computer terminal32by way of a plurality of touch screen displays44displayed on the touch screen computer terminal32. Examples of the touch screen displays44into which game data100is entered may be viewed inFIGS. 21–26. The game data100entered into the touch screen displays44is stored in the touch screen computer terminal's32memory, then verified by a referee34and uploaded to the server computer114by way of carrier wave transmission as seen inFIG. 1. This is a protection against a power failure or computer communications fail all the game data100will not be lost.

As seen inFIG. 1, the game data100is transmitted via carrier wave signals110or other form of electronic wireless transmission to the server computer (server)114. If the rink36is wired for internet access, a wired link may be established between the touch screen computer terminal32and the server computer114over a computer network117such as the internet116or world wide web.

Once the game data100reaches the server computer114, is then stored and organized in the database106as seen inFIG. 2. From there, the game data100may be transmitted over the internet (or world wide web)116to the league administrator42. The league administrator42can then make rapid decisions pertaining to the game and transmit them back to the scorekeeper34in the reverse order of the process just described.

Further, once this game data100is transmitted, it updates the system30database106that is in communication with the server computer114. The game data100, which among other things comprises statistical data101for each player team and league, is then made available for viewing over the internet (world wide web) at the web site bearing the domain name “www.Pointstreak.com”. The players, if they have access to a player terminal118, can instantly access all the game data100comprising among other things statistical data101by accessing the “Pointstreak.com” web site. The statistical data101may be embodied to comprise a player's personal statistics, team statistics, league statistics, penalties, wins, losses, and schedules. However, the players do not have authority to edit game data100.

Turning now toFIG. 2, shown therein is a schematic for the database106for the system30that is in communication with the server computer114. The database106, as seen inFIG. 2, stores and organizes all the game data100for a plurality of aspects of the hockey game, this game data100is described below.FIG. 3shows the touch screen display44(electronic gamesheet102) appearing on the touch screen computer terminal32located at the rink36that the scorekeeper34manually enters game data100pertaining to the game into. Seen inFIG. 3is an example of a touch screen display44showing fictitious data entered therein (all the screen shots herein are intended to comprise fictitious game data for the purposes of illustration and example). The touch screen display44provides rapid access to a plurality of information pertaining to the hockey game being played.

Seen inFIG. 3is the touch screen display44the scorekeeper34views on the touch screen computer terminal32, and it shows the electronic gamesheet102which among other things displays the hockey league, the teams playing, home team scoring, away team scoring, the period, the date and time of the game. Around the periphery of the electronic game sheet102are a plurality of buttons50that the scorekeeper34can press for purposes to be described presently. These plurality of buttons50comprise home goal52, away goal54, home penalty56, away penalty58, edit home roster60, and edit away roster62. Upon depressing one of the plurality of buttons50, the associated touch screen display44is called up and displayed for the scorekeeper34and the scorekeeper34can commence entering game data100therein.

To begin a entering game data100for a new game, the scorekeeper34touches the touch screen display44and enters in a valid user ID (identification number) and a valid password as seen inFIGS. 4 and 5, and if successful, an electronic link is established between the server computer114and the touch screen computer terminal32. The server computer114also downloads game data100to the touch screen computer terminal32once it is in communication therewith. Once this is accomplished, the scorekeeper34selects start a new game (FIG. 6), or selects restore saved game as shown inFIG. 7.

As the game progresses, touch screen terminal data37from every game is stored in a designated touch screen terminal file database (memory)35in the touch screen computer terminal32, and only after the game is completed is the touch screen terminal file database37transmitted to the server computer114for organization and storage in the database106. This feature allows the game to be played even in the event of communications failure between the touch screen computer terminal32and the server computer114. Also, prior to selecting a new game (FIG. 6) and prior to entering data100for a new game, the touch screen computer program33executed on the touch screen computer terminal32computer process makes a determination as to whether any existing touch screen terminal file database37is stored at the touch screen computer terminal32and if so, the scorekeeper34can decide whether or not to restore a game or start a new game (seen inFIG. 7).

The process for a new game beings with the scorekeeper34systematically entering game data100into the touch screen computer terminal32at the ice rink36. Initial pre-game steps walk the scorekeeper34through all the basic information about the game to be played, as seen inFIGS. 8–15. As seen in these figures, the scorekeeper enters the following touch screen terminal data37into the touch screen terminal32: date, time, league, division, home and away teams, referee, linesman1, linesman2, and scorekeeper. Some of this game data100was downloaded from the server computer114when initial connection was made between the server computer and the touch screen computer terminal32. The system may also be embodied so that the game may be selected from a schedule downloaded from the server computer114. These initial steps make certain the scorekeeper34does not make errors with the game data100entered into the touch screen computer terminal32prior to a game commencing.

Next, turning toFIGS. 16–20, the computer server114in response to the touch screen terminal data37entered by the scorekeeper34, downloads to the touch screen computer terminal32game data100pertaining to team rosters of the teams about to play so that the scorekeeper34has this game data. Thus, the scorekeeper34can quickly see on the touch screen display44the rosters for the teams that are about to play in the game. This game data100comprises default jersey numbers, suspensions, and available players. As seen inFIG. 16, the scorekeeper34inputs if there is a forfeit and what team forfeited, inputs the players playing (FIG. 19), inputs the goalies playing (FIG. 18), and can also see the suspended players (they are grayed out inFIG. 19) who are ineligible to play, and can change jersey numbers as necessary (FIG. 20).

Turning now toFIGS. 21–26, shown therein are the screen displays generated and displayed when the home and away goal buttons (52,54respectively) fromFIG. 3are pressed by the scorekeeper34in the event a goal is scored. As seen in those figures, the name of the scorer by jersey number is entered into the touch screen computer terminal32, along with the number of any player who assisted and secondarily assisted, along with the time and period the goal was scored.

Turning now toFIGS. 27–32, shown therein are the screen displays generated and displayed when the home and away penalty buttons55,58fromFIG. 3are pressed by the scorekeeper34in the event a player incurs a penalty. The scorekeeper34need only enter into the touch screen computer terminal32player, the infraction, the severity (major or minor), the time of the infraction.

The buttons edit home roster60and edit away roster62allow the scorekeeper34to modify the roster during the game.

Returning toFIG. 3, shown therein is the other functions button68that allows the scorekeeper34to press thereon, and the touch pad screen displays44shown inFIGS. 33–36are caused to appear on the touch screen terminal32. As seen inFIG. 33, goals may be deleted, added, edited, and penalties may be edited.

Returning toFIG. 3, shown therein is the end game button70, and when this button is pressed, the end game dialog is started, this dialog seen inFIGS. 37–45. The scorekeeper34enters notes (FIG. 38), and if the game was postponed when it was postponed (FIGS. 39–40). Before the final information pertaining to the game just played (or postponed if that is the case) is uploaded to the server114, the head referee reviews and must approve of the game data100described above that has been entered into the electronic gamesheet102, this shown inFIGS. 42–44.

Touch Screen Terminal Data Storage The touch screen computer terminal (or client computer)32is part of the present system30, and the present system may be embodied to comprise a plurality of touch screen computer terminals32each located at an ice rink36. In other embodiments, the touch screen computer terminal32may be a handheld wireless device. The touch screen computer terminal32is electronically linked to the server computer114as seen inFIG. 1. The game data100generated at each of the touch screen computer terminals32as the game is played and stored at each touch screen terminal file database35is uploaded to the server computer114, and processed and stored in the database l06before it becomes viewable at the Pointstreak.com web site.

The server computer (web server)114comprises vast quantities of game data100uploaded from all the games played, and therefor needs the database106as structured inFIG. 2. Also, to accommodate situations wherein there are power disruptions, and/or client computer32—server computer114problems, each of the client computers32at the rink36stores the touch screen terminal data37in a non-volatile compact flash memory, such flash memory technologies known to those skilled in the art.

Due to the fact that there exists the possibility that multiple files of touch screen terminal data37may have to be stored on the touch screen computer terminal's32flash memory, files are stored in the following hierarchy: general information file, rink information file, league information file, team information files, game in progress data files, game in progress data files, completed game data files not posted, and completed game data files posted.

New Game Reference Files

When a new game is started, multiple files are used to provide information needed for proper initialization of game entry, these files comprising information on the Rink, League, Division, Officials, Teams, Rosters. The new game dialog dynamically downloads this from the server computer114, and after downloading, these files are stored in the compact flash memory at their designated filename (based on rink ID—users and leagues that play on the rink; League ID—divisions teams, penalties and officials for the league; Team ID—players on teams, positions, jersey numbers, suspensions). The advantage here is that in the event of a communications failure with the server computer114, previous/default versions of the files remain on the compact flash, so games can be played even if communication with the server computer114is down.

Game in Progress Data Storage

When a game is in progress, the software at the touch screen computer terminal32retains a database file comprising all the current game information called a current game data file, located in non-volatile memory. This data is updated every time the scorekeeper34enters new game data100into the touch screen computer terminal32. In this manner, when the game is completed or ends, this current game data100file comprises the all the data to be uploaded to the server computer114. This is accomplished by use of HTTP Posts.

Client Computer—Server Computer Communication

The data interaction between the touch screen computer terminal32(client computer) and the server computer114is by way of transmission control protocols (TCP) internet protocols (IP), such protocols being known to those skilled in the art. The interface involves use of internet based hyper text transmission protocols (HTTP) “GET” and “POST” requests, and these allow for quick transmission of text files over a TCP/IP link. Downloads from the server computer114to the touch screen terminal32is done by using HTTP “GET” requests to a hypertext preprocessor (PHP) script using variables in the uniform resource locator (URL) address. The server computer114responds with information in a text file.

Uploads to the server computer114are accomplished using the HTTP “POST” command to a PHP script which parses the data and returns a confirmation. These transactions may be accomplished using standard internet forms comprising fields for the data. Such forms known to those skilled in the art. The HTTP “POSTS” and “GETS” are provided by PHP scripts running on the server computer114.

Start of a New Game

When a new game is started, as described, various files need to be downloaded from the server computer114to the touch screen computer terminal32for use as lookup tables for the teams, leagues, and divisions. Each of these files remains resident on the compact flash memory on the touch screen computer terminal32in case of internet failure, but each game should be started with downloading these files.

End of Game

After the game has been completed, game results are posted to the server computer114for processing thereby. This commences once the game is over, and from the touch screen computer terminal (client computer)32comes a HTTP “POST”, the server computer114will attempt to parse the incoming data, and if the data is valid, there is a confirmation that has a unique Game ID for the posted game.

If the server114does not confirm the upload, the scorekeeper34re-attempts the upload again. If this fails, then the game must still be stored in on the touch screen terminal32flash memory. The next time a scorekeeper34attempts to upload data from the touch screen computer terminal32, the system30checks if there are any outstanding game posts, and these should be attempted to be uploaded by the scorekeeper34.

Once the scorekeeper34has selected the teams that are playing, the touch screen terminal32automatically downloads from the computer100the players that are going to play in the game. The system30automatically prevents those players who are suspended or who are unregistered from participating by preventing the scorekeeper34from being selected. These ineligible players are those who have been given the status by the league administrator42(seeFIG. 1).

The billing for this service being provided to the teams, and the hockey rinks is made directly to the leagues and rinks. The server computer114may be embodied so as to comprise a merchant account, which timely bills for services rendered, and keeps track of debts owed.

The Web Site

After the game data is posted on the Pointstreak.com web site, the players may then view the game data100stored in the database106from their own personal computers. The game data100is available over the internet116. The players may enter the web site and view game data100comprising their personal statistical data101. A brief description of the game data100, which comprises statistical data101, available from the web site will be described presently.

The actual players and teams may enter the web site and visually view a plurality of information and game data100, but not edit the information and game data100(seen inFIG. 1is the player terminal118and its internet116link to the server114and database106). What follows is a description of the screen displays caused to be generated by the server computer114executing the computer software program of the present invention.

Turning now toFIG. 46, shown therein is a sample league and sample division. The player selects the Division and is brought to the web page for the division. The player may immediately select “View division scoring leaders” (FIGS. 55A and 55B) or “View division goaltending leaders” (FIG. 56) and be immediately brought to those web pages and view the statistical data100for each of these categories.

The abbreviations used throughout the web pages to identify statistical data are as follows:GP—games playedW—games wonL—games lostT—games tiedPTS—pointsGF—goals forGA—goals againstPIM—penalties in minutesGAA—goals against averageGFA—goals for averageHome—record at homeAway—record not at homeSO—shutout

The player can see the team standings and where his or her team stands in particular, as seen inFIG. 47. The player may also click on any team in the team standings list and be brought to the statistical data page for that team as seen inFIG. 51. At this web page, the player can view the selected team's record, recent games, upcoming games, and the team's captain's message. The player may also click on player schedule and be brought to a web page showing the schedule for the selected team. If player stats is selected, this web page displays the statistics for each member on the team (FIGS. 52A,52B, and54). The statistics sheet ofFIGS. 52A,52B and53shows each players GP, G, A, PTS, PIM, and the goalie statistics sheet (FIG. 54) shows the goalie's GP, L, T, GA, GAA, SO. The advantage of this feature is that each player can instantly access his or her personal statistical data101and compare them to other players on the team, or other players in the league. Also, upon clicking on the players name, a web page showing additional information about the player comprising age, size, date of birth, place of birth and a photo of the player is displayed (not shown in the figures).

Another feature is the game box score web page, shown inFIGS. 48–50. This is a particularly useful web page that allows a player to see the important results from a game in one place. This web page displays the score, summary of scoring for each period, who and when goals were scored, penalties, the roster and goalies, the referee and scorekeeper, and gamenotes.

For any of the above statistical data101requiring mathematical calculations, the touch screen computer terminal's32processor may be embodied to comprise an arithmetic logic circuitry to perform such calculations. Thus when the scorekeeper enters the game data100therein, such calculations are automatically performed by the touch screen computer terminal32so that they are ready for uploading to the server114.

Thus, the problems associated with paper based systems used to administrate hockey players, teams, and leagues, such as lost records, illegible records, old records, etc., has been successfully overcome with the present invention. Further, all players on a team now have instant and easy access to their personal statistics, as well at the competition statistics, making for more planned and enjoyable sporting competition. Also, administrators can do a more thorough and job because of the efficiency of the present invention.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, various modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. All of these alternative embodiments are intended to come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.