Patent Publication Number: US-7898393-B2

Title: Wall-mounted scoreboard

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/831,027 filed Jul. 14, 2006. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to scoreboards, particularly to a wall mounted scoreboard that is usable in a home or business establishment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many of today&#39;s popular spectator sports are closely monitored by dedicated fans. Fans are not only interested in the score of the game but are also interested in a great number of details and data that occur during the game. 
     There are situations when even dedicated fans cannot watch the game or listen to the game on the radio because the fan must attend to other matters where the action and sound of the game would distract the fan from full attention to these other matters. These other matters could be business matters, family matters or social matters. Nonetheless, the fan still desires to be instantly informed of the current status of the ongoing game. 
     Some systems do exist that, under the right circumstances, can quickly inform the dedicated fan the score of his favorite sports team. However these systems have drawbacks or limitations. Switching on a sports channel on television can result in a wait for a particular game score and details to be reported, or a wait for a commercial to end. Accessing the Internet to ascertain the score and details may be delayed by the need to boot-up the computer or wait for an Internet connection. Radio broadcasts suffered the same immediacy constraints and limitations as television broadcasts. 
     Additionally, retrieving game information from some of these systems may not be appropriate or practical in some settings and during some activities. Obtaining audible scores from television or radio in a loud bar or restaurant is difficult. Additionally, at home, entertaining visitors or spending time with family can be interrupted by the time taken by the fan to access the internet or turn on the television or radio to obtain the game score. Also, at home the fan may not be able to watch or listen to the game because of the need to watch a different program with the fan&#39;s spouse who may not care to watch or hear the game. In a workplace environment, listening or watching a game or sports channel can be discouraged by an employer as being a distraction to the fan or others working near the fan. 
     The present inventors have recognized that the need exists for a display device that can inform a user instantly the current status of the game of interest without distracting from the current activities of the user. 
     The present inventors have recognized that the need exists for a display device that is usable to communicate the current status of the game of interest, even in a loud and distracting environment. 
     The present inventors have recognized that the need exists for a display device that is usable to communicate the current status of the game of interest, without generating sound to distract others not interested in the particular game. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a wall mounted scoreboard sized and configured to be used in a home or commercial establishment. The scoreboard includes a back cover, a cover panel and a display panel. The back cover has a front open face and the cover panel is applied over the front face of the back cover. The display panel is interposed between the back cover and the cover panel. The display panel has changeable indicators such as LED or LCD displays arranged in information blocks, wherein the cover panel includes openings that are in registry with the information blocks. The cover panel includes graphics which display a designator for each information block, the designators corresponding to game data. A front frame can be used to retain the cover panel in front of the display panel. 
     The scoreboard includes a receiver and a control. The receiver receives real time game status information broadcast continuously or at regular intervals from a remote provider for a game in progress and the control causes the display panel to display the status information thereon within the information blocks. 
     The broadcast is preferably a wireless transmission, such as a radio frequency transmission, cellular phone transmission or a satellite transmission. The signal can be transmitted via the use of satellite, radio transmission towers, repeaters, or any other type of transmitter or antenna. However, the broadcast could also be a wired transmission such as from a cable-television line, a telephone line, other Internet-type transmission line, or the like. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the game is a baseball game, and the information blocks display information such as team identifiers, the current score, balls, strikes, outs, and runners on base. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment the game is a football game, and the information blocks display information such as team identifiers, ball location, the current down, yards-to-go, team in possession of the ball, and score. 
     Preferably, the cover panel is removable and replaceable with a different cover panel having graphics for a different team or for a different sport. In this way, one scoreboard can be used year-round for different seasonal sports or for different teams. 
     Preferably the back cover comprises mounting holes for hanging the scoreboard on a wall. 
     The present invention provides an attractive, compact scoreboard that is continuously or intermittently updated to display the current status of the game, wherein the scoreboard can be wall mounted within a home or business establishment. Preferably, the scoreboard is remotely updated by wireless transmission from a remote provider. The wall mounted scoreboard has a plurality of display elements that can signify the current score of the game as well as detailed game information. 
     The remote provider can charge a monthly access fee or subscription fee, or the fee can be a one-time charge when the scoreboard is purchased. Alternately, the cost of the remote service provider can be borne by advertising displayed on the scoreboard. 
     The scoreboard can be provided with a space for advertising. This advertising can be permanently applied to an outer surface of the scoreboard or could be changeable. Accordingly, the display panel can have one or more information blocks that can display advertising. The advertising space can be leased from the remote service provider. The display panel can present the advertising for example as a stationary image, or moving letter ticker tape style display, or an animation. 
     The present invention provides a wall mounted scoreboard that is configured to be compatible with a plurality of sports wherein a removable and replaceable cover can be applied over the scoreboard to change the designation of the information blocks that are provided by the scoreboard. 
     The present invention provides a wall mounted scoreboard that can display a selected game from a plurality of games. The present invention provides a mechanism wherein the user can scroll through the plurality of games to receive the current status of a selected game. 
     The present invention provides a wall mounted scoreboard that is attractive and can be a replica of a scoreboard found at the stadium of the fan&#39;s favorite team. 
     The present invention provides a wall mounted scoreboard that is particularly useful in the home, in a game room, in an office, in a sports bar, or in a casino. 
     According to the present invention, a dedicated fan can instantly glance at the wall mounted, wirelessly updated scoreboard and observe the current status of the game involving his favorite team. Even when entertaining guests, the conversation and activities are not interrupted to determine the status of the game because the dedicated fan need only glance up at the wall to know the current status of the game. In a loud atmosphere of a sports bar, the current status of the game can be quickly ascertained without straining the eyes or ears or attempting to hush the patrons of the bar. In the office or business establishment setting, unlike a radio or television broadcast, the current status of the game can be quickly ascertained without the need to interrupt productive activities or disturb the quiet of the office or business establishment. The wall mounted scoreboard quietly and immediately transmits the needed information to the dedicated fan. 
     The wall mounted scoreboard displays in real-time any or all professional, college or other sports scores using LED, LCD or other type number and letter displays. The wall mounted scoreboard can receive multiple score updates for multiple games depending on the size and variation of the scoreboard. For baseball, the wall mounted scoreboard can also display player statistics, balls, strikes, outs, runners on base. For football the wall mounted scoreboard can display the quarter, down, time remaining, yards to go, and ball possession. The cover panel can also allocate some space on the scoreboard for an advertising display. The advertising display can be a window in registry with an advertising information block on the display panel. The advertising display can be changed wirelessly by the provider. 
     The scoreboard uses wireless technology over an expanded broadcast area via cellular or satellite technology. The scoreboard can be battery-powered or supplied with power from an electric power outlet. 
     Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, and from the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a wall mounted wireless scoreboard according to the invention having a baseball display; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the wall mounted scoreboard of  FIG. 1  modified to have a display panel for a football game; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side view of the scoreboard shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the wall mounted scoreboard of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view of a remote-control unit used in conjunction with any of the previously described scoreboard embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  is an elevation view of an alternate remote-control unit used in conjunction with any of the previously described scoreboard embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is an elevation view of a further alternate embodiment wall mounted scoreboard according to the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an elevation view of a portable scoreboard according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is an elevation view of a further alternate embodiment wall mounted scoreboard according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     FIGS.  1  and  3 - 5  illustrate a wall mounted scoreboard  20  of the present invention. The scoreboard includes a case  21  that is substantially rectangular and comprises a length L of about 20 inches and a height H of about 16 inches. The case includes a back cover  26 , a display panel  28 , a display cover panel  32  in one or more parts, and a cover frame  40 . The display panel  28  provides LED or LCD elements  41  arranged in information blocks  42 . The back cover houses an electronic control  44  (shown schematically) that controls the display panel  28  to output information via the information blocks  42 . A wireless receiver  48  (shown schematically) is mounted in the back cover  26  and receives real-time game information from a wireless remote provider via an antenna  49 . The receiver  48  communicates broadcast game information to the control  44 . 
     A pair of mounted holes  50   a ,  50   b  are provided through the back cover  26  for mounting the scoreboard  20  to a wall using wall fasteners or hooks. 
     The cover panel  32  includes a plurality of open windows  52  that reveal the information blocks  42  through the cover panel  32  and include graphics  53  applied to the cover panel  32  that define the subject matter of the respective information blocks to the observer. Additionally, the cover panel  32  can have indicia  54  of the user&#39;s favorite sports team, or advertising information. The cover panel is replaceable so that the scoreboard can be used for different teams corresponding to different favorite teams or different sports. The cover frame  40  includes windows  51  to allow graphics  53 ,  54  on the cover panel  32  and information blocks  42  on the display panel  28  to be visible through a front of the cover frame  40 . The scoreboard can be assembled by a snap fit or a screw fastener connection between the front frame  40  and the back cover  26 . 
     For example, the information blocks  42  shown in  FIG. 1  are configured for baseball, and include the date and time, a simulated diamond showing men on base, the inning, the current ball, strike and outs count, the abbreviation for each team name, the current score for each team, the uniform numbers of the current pitchers and uniform numbers of the current batter. Also, along a bottom of the display panel  28  is a signal bar indication block  55   a  to indicate to the user the signal strength of the wireless service. A light indicator block  55   b  can also indicate active transmission of updates. 
     A message block  56  along a bottom of the frame  40  can be allocated for advertising or a text message. The message block  56  can be an information block  42  displayed by the display panel  28  and visible through a window  52  through the cover panel  32  and a window  51  through the frame  40 . In this way, the message block  56  can be changed periodically by the remote provider and advertising can be sold. The message block  56  can display advertising that is paid by an advertiser to the remote service provider. The message block  56  can display advertising that is sent real time by the remote service provider or that is uploaded into a memory within the control  44  of the scoreboard. The message block  56  can present the advertising for example as a stationary image, a moving letter ticker tape style display, an animation, or other type advertising. Alternately, the message block can be a permanent graphic on the cover frame  40 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the scoreboard  20  outfitted with a different cover panel  62  for football sandwiched between the frame  40  and the display panel  28 . A simulated football field information block  63  shows the position of the football on the field. Time, quarter, current down, and yards-to-go are indicated by information blocks  42 . The initials for the two teams, the score, the team in possession of the football and the yard line that the ball is on are all indicated by the information blocks  42  through the windows  52 ,  52 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a side profile of the scoreboard  20 . The scoreboard has a slim profile for wall mounting, having a thickness T of 1 to 2 inches. 
       FIG. 5  illustrate a simple remote-control  70  that can be used with the scoreboard  20  shown in FIGS.  1  and  3 - 5 . A power button  72  turns the scoreboard  20  on or off. Left and right scroll buttons  74 ,  76  are used to select the game of interest. A left database button  78  selects American League games for display, and a right database button  80  selects the National League games for display. The remote control and corresponding scoreboard can be configured to operate on a conventional infrared system as is known. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate remote control  86  that includes designated selection buttons  87  for switching the display panel  28  to indicate information blocks according to the selected league or sport. For added interest, the buttons  87  can be shaped according to the ball or puck of the selected sport. The remote control  86  can be used with any of the scoreboards described herein. 
     The scoreboard according to the invention can be powered by a plug-in wall outlet domestic power supply or can be battery-powered, preferably by lithium batteries. A battery backup can be provided for the scoreboard otherwise powered by a domestic power supply. 
     The wireless service provider that transmits the game information can charge the scoreboard user a subscription fee for reporting games of a particular team, or a package price for a league or multiple team subscription. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a further embodiment wherein the scoreboard  90  that would display all current games for the dedicated fan who desires to know current game information throughout a league. The scoreboard would be constructed in the same manner as the scoreboard  20 . This is particularly useful for sports betting and could be useful in a home, business establishment, or in a casino where sports betting occurs. The scoreboard could report game scores for professional sports, collegiate sports, etc. 
       FIG. 8  shows an alternate embodiment scoreboard  100  that is made as a handheld portable device. The scoreboard would be the approximate size of a large calculator and would display some or all of the information described, for example, in  FIG. 1 . The scoreboard would have dimensions L 1  and H 1  of approximately 5″×5″ and be 1 to 2 inches thick. The scoreboard could be placed on a desk or on the dashboard of a car and would keep the dedicated fan current on the status of the selected game. 
     In all other respects, the structure the scoreboard  100  would be the same as the scoreboard  20  but with a simplified front display. The inning information blocks  42  would also include a top of the inning indicator  102   a , a bottom of the in indicator  102   b , and a game over or final score indicator  104 . A surrounding frame  40  includes one or more windows  51  that allow information blocks  42  to be visible through windows  52  in the cover panel  32 . The cover panel  32  includes graphics  53  to designate information blocks  42  and advertising graphics  54 . The scoreboard  100  is preferably powered by rechargeable batteries, such as lithium batteries, that can be recharged by use of a recharger/adapter plugged into domestic power and plugged into a designated socket on the scoreboard  100 , or by an automobile adapter/charger plugged into an automobile lighter socket and into a designated socket of the scoreboard  100 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a further embodiment wherein a scoreboard  150  is shaped and styled to be an authentic replica of a famous stadium scoreboard of the fan&#39;s favorite team. In the example shown in  FIG. 9 , the scoreboard  150 , particularly the cover frame  40 , is shaped like the famous scoreboard on the outside of Wrigley Field in Chicago. The overall dimensions L 2  and H 2  of this scoreboard are about 14 inches×12 inches. In all other respects, the structure the scoreboard  100  would be the same as the scoreboard  20 . 
     From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.