Wireless Scoring and Gaming System and Method for Using RF and/or IR to Activate Receiving Peripheral Devices

Abstract

A wireless scoring and gaming system includes a plurality of basketball goal sets and a receiving peripheral. The system supports RF, IR or similar transmissions amongst the scoring transmitters of the basketball goal sets and the scoring receiver of the receiving peripheral. The receiving peripheral includes a scoring controller comprising logic to calculate a score and drive circuitry for an LCD or LED alphanumeric display and/or video display. The receiving peripheral can light up and multiplex a score as well as output appropriate audio sound bites via a variety of means, and can accurately output the score of opposing players or teams via wireless control and activation.

1 . A wireless scoring and gaming system for measuring and monitoring performance of a plurality of players in a real-time competitive sporting activity, comprising:
 a first sensor detecting a scoring event during the competitive sporting activity;   a second sensor identifying a first player in real time or near term when the first player actuates the scoring event, the second sensor further identifying the first player from at least two players competing against each other; and   a scoring control center communicatively coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor to receive information and determine the performance of the first player.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is attached to a basketball hoop or a basketball backboard, and wherein the first sensor is operative to detect a basketball passing through the basketball hoop to thereby indicate the scoring event. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second sensor comprises at least one wireless transmitter removably coupled to the first player. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a detector operative to detect a position of the first player when the first player throws a basketball towards a basketball hoop to thereby actuate the scoring event. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the scoring control center is operative to award the first player with a first predetermined amount of points when the position of the first player is within a first zone relative to the basketball hoop and award the first player with a second predetermined amount of points when the position of the first player is within a second zone relative to the basketball hoop. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scoring control center is integrated with a basketball backboard, and wherein the scoring control center is operative to calculate, store, or display a total score of baskets made by the first player. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scoring control center is operative to produce an audio output to indicate a score. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scoring control center is located remotely from one or more basketball backboards, and wherein the scoring control center is operative to calculate, store, or display a total score of baskets made by a first team comprising the first player and a second team comprising a second player. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scoring control center is communicatively coupled to at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor over a wireless medium. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless device removably attached to the first player and communicatively coupled to at least one of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the scoring control center, wherein the wireless device is operative to vibrate, emit a sound, or produce a lighting pattern in response to the scoring event. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor includes an electronic dartboard, and wherein the first sensor is operative to detect a dart contacting a position on the electronic dartboard to thereby indicate the scoring event. 
     
     
         12 . A wireless scoring and gaming system for measuring and monitoring performance of a plurality of players in a real-time competitive sporting activity, comprising:
 a first sensor detecting a scoring event during the competitive sporting activity;   a second sensor detecting a position of a first player when the first player throws an object towards a goal to thereby actuate the scoring event; and   a scoring control center communicatively coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor to receive information and determine the performance of the first player.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the second sensor comprises at least one wireless transmitter removably coupled to the first player. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the scoring control center is operative to award the first player with a first predetermined amount of points when the position of the first player is within a first zone relative to the goal and award the first player with a second predetermined amount of points when the position of the first player is within a second zone relative to the goal. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a wireless device removably coupled to the first player and communicatively coupled to at least one of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the scoring control center, wherein the wireless device is operative to vibrate, emit a sound, or produce a lighting pattern in response to the scoring event. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the goal is a basketball hoop. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the goal is a dartboard.