Wireless signaling for electronic fencing scoring system

Abstract

Implementations describe systems and methods for wireless signaling for electronic scoring for fencing competitions. A method of one embodiment of the disclosure includes establishing, by a signaling device, an electrical connection to a scoring apparatus. A wireless connection is also established to a receiving device. The signaling device receives a first signal from the scoring apparatus indicating that a fencer has touched a weapon to an opponent during a fencing competition. The signaling device transmits a second signal to the receiving device where the receiving device causes a light source of a light source arrangement to be illuminated. The signaling device receives a third signal from the receiving device indicating whether the second signal was received by the receiving device. An isolation unit of the signaling device prevents the third signal from being transmitted to the scoring apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A scoring system comprising:
 a signaling device, wherein the signaling device is configured to electrically connect to a fencing scoring apparatus, and wherein the signaling device is to receive a first signal from the fencing scoring apparatus when a fencer touches a weapon to an opponent during a fencing competition, and is further adapted to generate a second signal indicating that a hit has been scored, wherein the second signal is a wireless signal;   a receiving device configured to be worn by a fencer, wherein the receiving device is further configured to wirelessly connect to the signaling device, and wherein the receiving device is to receive the second signal from the signaling device; and   a light source arrangement configured to electrically connect to the receiving device, wherein the receiving device is further to cause one or more light sources of the light source arrangement to be illuminated responsive to receipt of the second signal from the signaling device.   
     
     
         2 . The scoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving device and the light source arrangement are configured for attachment to a face mask of a uniform worn by the fencer during the fencing competition. 
     
     
         3 . The scoring system of  claim 2 , wherein a plurality of light sources of the light source arrangement each comprise a light emitting diode (LED). 
     
     
         4 . The scoring system of  claim 3 , wherein the LED is connected to a printed circuit board (PCB), and wherein the PCB is configured for attachment to an interior of the face mask. 
     
     
         5 . The scoring system of  claim 4 , wherein the LED is connected to a flexible PCB, and wherein the flexible PCB configured for attachment to the interior of the face mask by an adhesive material. 
     
     
         6 . The scoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the signaling device comprises a first Bluetooth module, wherein the receiving device comprises a second Bluetooth module, and wherein the first Bluetooth module is to wirelessly connect to the second Bluetooth module via a Bluetooth connection. 
     
     
         7 . The scoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the signaling device comprises an isolation unit, wherein the isolation unit is to prevent an electrical signal from being transmitted to the fencing scoring apparatus from the signaling device. 
     
     
         8 . A scoring system comprising:
 a signaling device, wherein the signaling device is configured to electrically connect to a fencing scoring apparatus, and wherein the signaling device is to receive a first signal from the fencing scoring apparatus when a fencer touches a weapon to an opponent during a fencing competition, and is further adapted to generate a second signal indicating that a hit has been scored, wherein the second signal is a wireless signal;   a fencing uniform;   a receiving device configured for attachment to the fencing uniform, wherein the receiving device is configured to wirelessly connect to the signaling device, and wherein the receiving device is to receive a second signal from the signaling device when the signaling device receives the first signal from the fencing scoring apparatus; and   a light source arrangement attached to the fencing uniform and configured to electrically connect to the receiving device, and wherein the receiving device causes one or more light sources of the light source arrangement to be illuminated responsive to receipt of the second signal from the signaling device.   
     
     
         9 . The scoring system of  claim 8 , wherein a plurality of light emitting fibers (LEFs) of the light source arrangement are sewn into the fencing uniform. 
     
     
         10 . The scoring system of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of LEFs is sewn into a jacket of the fencing uniform. 
     
     
         11 . The scoring system of  claim 10 , wherein the receiving device is configured for attachment to the jacket of the fencing uniform. 
     
     
         12 . The scoring system of  claim 8 , wherein the signaling device comprises a first Bluetooth module, wherein the receiving device comprises a second Bluetooth module, and wherein the first Bluetooth module is to wirelessly connect to the second Bluetooth module via a Bluetooth connection. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 establishing, by a signaling device, an electrical connection to a scoring apparatus;   establishing, by the signaling device, a wireless connection to a receiving device;   receiving, by the signaling device, a first signal, from the scoring apparatus, indicating that a fencer has touched a weapon to an opponent during a fencing competition;   transmitting, by the signaling device, a second signal to the receiving device, wherein the receiving device causes one or more light sources of a light source arrangement to be illuminated responsive to receipt of the second signal from the signaling device;   receiving, by the signaling device, a third signal from the receiving device, wherein the third signal indicates whether the second signal was received by the receiving device; and   preventing, by an isolation unit of the signaling device, the third signal from being transmitted to the scoring apparatus.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the receiving device and the light source arrangement are configured for attachment to a fencing uniform worn by the fencer during the fencing competition. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fencing uniform comprises a face mask and wherein the receiving device and the light source arrangement are configured for attachment to the face mask. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a plurality of light sources of the light source arrangement each comprise a light emitting diode (LED). 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the LED is connected to a printed circuit board (PCB), and wherein the PCB is configured for attachment to an interior of the face mask. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein a plurality of light emitting fibers (LEFs) of the light source arrangement are sewn into the fencing uniform. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of light emitting fibers (LEFs) are sewn into a jacket of the fencing uniform, and wherein the receiving device is configured for attachment to the jacket. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the signaling device comprises a first Bluetooth module, wherein the receiving device comprises a second Bluetooth module, and wherein the first Bluetooth module is to wirelessly connect to the second Bluetooth module via a Bluetooth connection.