Methods, devices, and systems for facilitating officials during a sporting event
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices for facilitating officials during a sporting event. According to one embodiment, a device is disclosed including a processor, a memory electrically coupled with the processor, a microphone interface electrically coupled with the processor, a user interface electrically coupled with the processor, a haptic feedback device electrically coupled with the processor; and a wireless transceiver electrically coupled with the processor. The processor is configured for receiving a first audio signal via the microphone interface; determining the first audio signal is associated with a first whistle blow; and upon determining the first audio signal is associated with the first whistle blow, transmitting a first device message via the wireless transceiver to an access point; receiving a first access point acknowledgment message from the access point; and upon receiving the first access point acknowledgement message, activating the haptic feedback device for a first period of time.
1 . A mobile device for facilitating an official of a sporting event, the mobile device comprising:
a processor;
a memory electrically coupled with the processor;
a microphone interface electrically coupled with the processor;
a user interface electrically coupled with the processor;
a haptic feedback device electrically coupled with the processor; and
a wireless transceiver electrically coupled with the processor, wherein the processor is configured for:
receiving a first audio signal via the microphone interface;
determining the first audio signal is associated with a first whistle blow; and
upon determining the first audio signal is associated with the first whistle blow, transmitting a first device message via the wireless transceiver to an access point;
receiving a first access point acknowledgment message from the access point; and
upon receiving the first access point acknowledgement message, activating the haptic feedback device for a first period of time;
receiving a first device command from the user interface;
upon receiving the first device command, transmitting a second device message to the access point and activating the haptic feedback device for a second period of time, wherein:
the access point is electrically coupled with a scoreboard controller;
the access point is configured for:
transmitting a first access point message to the scoreboard controller upon receiving the first device message; and
transmitting a second access point message to the scoreboard controller upon receiving the second device message;
the first access point message is configured to stop a game clock associated with the scoreboard controller; and
the second access point message is configured to start the game clock associated with the scoreboard controller.
2 . The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured for:
receiving a third access point message via the wireless transceiver, wherein the third access point message is associated with a second whistle blow detected by another mobile device; and
upon receiving the third access point message, activating the haptic feedback device for a third period of time.
3 . The mobile device of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured for:
receiving a fourth access point message via the wireless transceiver, wherein the fourth access point message is associated with a start of the game clock; and
upon receiving the fourth access point message, activating the haptic feedback device for a fourth period of time.
4 . The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a push button.
5 . The mobile device of claim 1 further comprising a belt clip.
6 . The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the microphone interface is configured to be electrically coupled with a lavalier microphone.
7 . The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the microphone interface is configured to be wirelessly coupled with a microphone.
8 . The mobile device of claim 7 , wherein the microphone interface is a wireless personal area network (PAN) interface.
9 . The mobile device of claim 8 , wherein the microphone interface is compliant to at least one version of a Bluetooth® standard.
10 . The mobile device of claim 1 further comprising a rechargeable battery.
11 . The mobile device of claim 10 further the rechargeable battery is a lithium-ion rechargeable battery.
12 . The mobile device of claim 10 further comprising a charging port electrically coupled with the rechargeable battery.
13 . The mobile device of claim 12 , wherein the charging port is compliant to a universal serial bus (USB) charger.
14 . The mobile device of claim 12 , wherein the charging port is a wireless charging port.
15 . The mobile device of claim 1 further comprising a display electrically coupled with the processor.
16 . The mobile device of claim 15 wherein the display is configured to provide a game status of the sporting event.
17 . The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein determining the first audio signal is associated with the first whistle blow comprises determining a spectral component within the first audio signal above predetermined sound pressure threshold and having a frequency component between 2700 Hertz and 4700 Hertz.
18 . A method for facilitating an official of a sporting event, the method comprising:
receiving a first audio signal via a microphone interface of a mobile device, the mobile device comprising:
a processor electrically with the microphone interface;
a memory electrically coupled with the processor;
a user interface electrically coupled with the processor;
a haptic feedback device electrically coupled with the processor; and
a wireless transceiver electrically coupled with the processor;
determining the first audio signal is associated with a first whistle blow;
upon determining the first audio signal is associated with the first whistle blow, transmitting a first device message via the wireless transceiver to an access point;
receiving a first access point acknowledgment message from the access point; and
upon receiving the first access point acknowledgement message, activating the haptic feedback device for a first period of time;
receiving a first device command from the user interface;
upon receiving the first device command, transmitting a second device message to the access point and activating the haptic feedback device for a second period of time,
wherein:
the access point is electrically coupled with a scoreboard controller;
the access point is configured for:
transmitting a first access point message to the scoreboard controller upon receiving the first device message; and
transmitting a second access point message to the scoreboard controller upon receiving the second device message;
the first access point message is configured to stop a game clock associated with the scoreboard controller; and
the second access point message is configured to start the game clock associated with the scoreboard controller.
19 . The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the predetermined sound pressure threshold is between 104 decibels and 116 decibels.
20 . The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein the predetermined sound pressure threshold is configurable automatically based on background noise.