Auxiliary shot clock

Abstract

The auxiliary shot clock is used during a basketball game. The auxiliary shot clock is a timing device that: 1) operates a five-second timing device that detects a five-second violation for an inbound pass; 2) operates a ten-second timing device that detects a half court violation after an inbound pass; 3) displays the time of the five-second timing device; 4) displays the time of the ten-second timing device; 5) generates an alarm signal on expiration of the five-second timing device; and, 6) generates an alarm signal on expiration of the ten-second timing device. The auxiliary shot clock comprises a five-second timing device, a ten-second timing device, one or more time lapse displays, and a plurality of control signals. The five-second timing device, the ten-second timing device, and the one or more time lapse displays are electrically interconnected using the plurality of control signals.

The inventor claims: 
     
       1. An auxiliary timing device for use with a scoreboard having a scoreboard controller and one or more audible or visual alarms, the auxiliary timing device comprising:
 a plurality of control signals received from one or more signal inputs, said control signals selected from one or more inbound start signals, one or more shot clock start signals, one or more five-second violation signals, one or more ten-second violation signals, one or more ten-second reset signals, or combinations thereof;  
 aat least one five-second timing device comprising a first timing circuit configured for use as a countdown timer, wherein said first timing circuit receives said inbound start signal and the shot clock start signal as inputs and wherein said first timing circuit is initiated upon the receipt of an inbound start signal; and  
 aat least one ten-second timing device comprising a second timing circuit configured for use as a countdown timer, wherein said second timing circuit receives the shot clock start signal and the ten-second reset signal as inputs wherein said second timing circuit is initiated upon the receipt a shot clock start signal, wherein the ten-second violation signal is generated by the second timing circuit at the expiration of the countdown timer operated by the second timing circuit prior to receiving the ten-second reset signal; and  
 one or more time lapse displays; and 
 a plurality of control signals; 
 wherein the auxiliary timing device is configured for use in a basketball game; 
 wherein the basketball game is further defined with one or more officials and a scoreboard; 
 wherein the scoreboard is further defined with a scoreboard controller, a game clock, a shot clock, and a shot clock start signal; 
 wherein the scoreboard controller is further defined with an audible alarm; 
 wherein the auxiliary timing device is configured for use with the scoreboard; 
 wherein the auxiliary timing device is a supplemental timing device; 
 wherein the five-second timing device, the ten-second timing device, the one or more time lapse displays, the one or more audible or visual alarms, and the scoreboard controller are electrically interconnected using by the plurality of control signals; signals,  
 wherein the auxiliary timing device operates a five-second timing device; 
 wherein the auxiliary timing device operates a ten-second timing device; 
 wherein the auxiliary timing device generates an alarm signal should the five-second timing device expire; 
 wherein the auxiliary timing device generates an alarm signal should the ten-second timing device expire; 
 wherein the auxiliary timing device is further configured for use with an external power source; 
 wherein each of the one or more time lapse displays are identical; 
 wherein each of the one or more time lapse displays present identical images; 
 wherein each of the one or more time lapse displays attaches to an existing scoreboard; 
 wherein the one or more time lapse displays are further configured for use with a computer; 
 wherein the plurality of control signals comprises an inbound start signal, a five-second violation signal, a ten-second violation signal, the shot clock start signal, and a ten-second reset signal; 
 wherein each of the plurality of control signals is an electrical connection that coordinates the operation o f the auxiliary timing device; 
 wherein each of the plurality of control signals is presented as a voltage; 
 wherein the five-second timing device is an electrical circuit; 
 wherein the five-second timing device is a timing circuit configured to use as a countdown timer; 
 wherein the five-second timing device is present to count down a five-second interval; 
 wherein the ten-second timing device is an electrical circuit; 
 wherein the ten-second timing device a timing circuit configured for use as a countdown timer; 
 wherein the ten-second timing device is present to count down a ten-second interval; 
 wherein the five-second timing device comprises a first timing circuit, a first resistor, and a first capacitor; 
 wherein the first timing circuit, the first resistor, and the first capacitor are electrically interconnected; 
 wherein the first timing circuit receives the inbound start signal and the shot clock start signal as inputs; 
 wherein the first timing circuit generates the five-second violation signal; 
 wherein the first timing circuit is an electrical circuit; 
 wherein the first timing circuit is an analog circuit; 
 wherein the first timing circuit measures five-second intervals; 
 wherein the value of the first resistor is measured in Ohms; 
 wherein the value of the first capacitor is measured in Farads; 
 wherein the first capacitor is a two lead electrical device that stores an electric charge; 
 wherein the first resistor and the first capacitor are connected in a series circuit; 
 wherein the first timing circuit is electrically connected to the first capacitor; 
 wherein the time interval generated by the first timing circuit is a known function of the combination the value in Ohms of the first resistor and the value in Farads of the first capacitor; 
 wherein the ten-second timing device comprises a second timing circuit, a second resistor, and a second capacitor; 
 wherein the second timing circuit, the second resistor, and the second capacitor are electrically interconnected; 
 wherein the second timing circuit receives the shot clock start signal and the ten-second reset signal as inputs; 
 wherein the second timing circuit generates the ten-second violation signal; 
 wherein the second timing circuit is an electrical circuit; 
 wherein the second timing circuit is an analog circuit; 
 wherein the second timing circuit measures ten-second intervals; 
 wherein the value of the second resistor is measured on Ohms; 
 wherein the value of the second capacitor is measured in Farads; 
 wherein the second capacitor is a two lead electrical device that store an electric charge; 
 wherein the second resistor and the second capacitor are connected in a series circuit; 
 wherein the second timing circuit is electrically connected to the second capacitor; 
 wherein the time interval generated by the second timing circuit is a known function of the combination the value in Ohms or the second resistor and the value in Farads of the second capacitor; 
 wherein each of the one or more time lapse displays comprises a first visual alarm, a second visual alarm, and an image sensor; 
 wherein the first visual alarm, the second visual alarm, and the image sensor attach to the scoreboard; 
 wherein the one or more time lapse displays receive the inbound start signal, the shot clock start signal, and the ten-second reset signal as inputs; 
 wherein the first visual alarm receives the five-second violation signal as an input; 
 
       wherein the second visual alarm receives the ten-second violation signal as an input. 
     
     
       2. The auxiliary timing device according to  claim 1   wherein the first visual alarm comprise one or more lamps mounted on each of the one or more time lapse displays;   wherein the first visual alarm provides a visual indication the five-second violation signal;   wherein the first visual alarm attaches in a visible manner along the perimeter of the scoreboard;   wherein the second visual alarm comprises one or more lamps mounted on each of the one or more time lapse displays;   wherein the second visual alarm provide a visual indication of the ten-second violation signal;   wherein the second visual alarm attached in a visible manner along the perimeter of the scoreboard.   
     
     
       3. The auxiliary timing device according to  claim 2   wherein the image sensor is a light collection device that captures images of the basketball game and converts the capture signals into an electronic format;   wherein the image sensor mounts on the scoreboard such that the playing area of the game is within the field of view of the image sensor;   wherein the capture and conversion into an electronic format of these images by the image sensor are managed and controlled by the computer.   
     
     
       4. The auxiliary timing device according to  claim 3   wherein the inbound start signal is a momentary witch;   wherein the inbound start signal is manually generated;   wherein the inbound start signal indicates the operation of the first timing circuit.   
     
     
       5. The auxiliary timing device according to claim  4  1wherein the five-second violation signal is generated by the first timing circuit at the expiration of the countdown timer operated by the first timing circuit wherein the five-second violation signal illuminates the first visual alarm; wherein the five-second violation signal initiates the operation of the audible alarm prior to receiving the shot clock start signal. 
     
     
       6. The auxiliary timing device according to  claim 5   wherein the ten-second violation signal is generated by the second timing circuit at the expiration of the countdown timer operated by the second timing circuit;   wherein the ten-second violation signal initiates the operation of the audible alarm;   wherein the ten-second violation signal illuminates the second visual alarm.   
     
     
       7. The auxiliary timing device according to  claim 6   wherein the shot clock start signal is a momentary switch;   wherein the shot clock start signal is manually operated;   wherein the shot clock start signal stops and resets the operation of the first timing circuit;   wherein the shot clock start signal initiates the operation of the second timing circuit.   
     
     
       8. The auxiliary timing device according to  claim 7   wherein the ten-second reset signal is a momentary switch;   wherein the ten-second reset signal is manually operated;   wherein the ten-second reset signal stops and resets the operation of the second timing circuit.   
     
     
       9. The auxiliary timing device according to  claim 8   wherein the first visual alarm comprises a plurality of green LEDs;   wherein the second visual alarm comprises a plurality of blue LEDs.   
     
     
       10. The auxiliary timing device according to claim 1 wherein said one or more inbound start signals, one or more shot clock start signals, or one or more ten-second reset signals are generated by the scoreboard controller.  
     
     
       11. The auxiliary timing device according to claim 10 wherein said one or more inbound start signals, one or more shot clock start signals, or one or more ten-second reset signals generated by the scoreboard controller are initiated manually.  
     
     
       12. The auxiliary timing device according to claim 10 wherein said one or more inbound start signals, one or more shot clock start signals, or one or more ten-second reset signals generated by the scoreboard controller are initiated by a computer.  
     
     
       13. The auxiliary timing device according to claim 5 wherein the auxiliary timing device generates one or more audible or visual alarms upon receipt of said one or more five-second violation signal.  
     
     
       14. The auxiliary timing device according to claim 1 wherein the auxiliary timing device generates one or more audible or visual alarms upon receipt of said one or more ten-second violation signal.  
     
     
       15. A method for providing an audible or visible indication of a five second and ten second interval to be implemented with a basketball scoreboard, the method comprising:
 providing a scoreboard controller for generating one or more control signals selected from one or more inbound start signals, one or more shot clock start signals, one or more five-second violation signals, one or more ten-second violation signals, one or more ten-second reset signals, or combinations thereof;   initiating at least one five-second timing device comprising a first timing circuit configured for use as a countdown timer upon the receipt of an inbound start signal;   initiating at least one ten-second timing device comprising a second timing circuit configured for use as a countdown timer upon receipt of the shot clock start signal;   initiating one or more five-second violation signals if said countdown timer of said five-second timing device completes the countdown operation prior to receiving said one or more shot clock start signals;   initiating one or more ten-second violation signals if said countdown timer of said ten-second timing device completes the countdown operation prior to receiving said one or more ten-second reset signals;   resetting said countdown timer of said five-second timing device upon receipt of said one or more shot clock start signals prior to the completion of the countdown timer; and   resetting said countdown timer of said ten-second timing device upon receipt of said one or more ten-second reset signals prior to the completion of the countdown timer.    
     
     
       16. The method of claim 15 further comprising initiating one or more audible or visual alarms upon receipt of one or more five-second violation signals or one or more ten-second violation signals.  
     
     
       17. A scoreboard comprising:
 one or more game clock;   one or more shot clock;   a scoreboard controller for controlling said one or more game clock and one or more shot clock, said scoreboard further generating and communicating one or more control signals selected from one or more inbound start signals, one or more shot clock start signals, one or more ten-second reset signals, or combinations thereof;   one or more audible or visual alarms; and   one or more auxiliary timing device comprising:
 at least one five-second timing device comprising a first timing circuit configured for use as a countdown timer, wherein said first timing circuit receives said inbound start signal and the shot clock start signal as inputs and wherein said first timing circuit is initiated upon the receipt of an inbound start signal; and 
 at least one ten-second timing device comprising a second timing circuit configured for use as a countdown timer, wherein said second timing circuit receives the shot clock start signal and the ten-second reset signal as inputs wherein said second timing circuit is initiated upon the receipt of a shot clock start signal, and wherein the ten-second violation signal is generated by the second timing circuit at the expiration of the countdown timer operated by the second timing circuit prior to receiving the ten-second reset signal.  
   
     
     
       18. The scoreboard according to claim 17 wherein at least one five-second violation signal is generated by the first timing circuit at the expiration of the countdown timer operated by the first timing circuit prior to receiving the shot clock start signal.  
     
     
       19. The scoreboard according to claim 17 wherein said one or more inbound start signals, one or more shot clock start signals, or one or more ten-second reset signals are generated by the scoreboard controller.  
     
     
       20. The scoreboard according to claim 19 wherein said one or more inbound start signals, one or more shot clock start signals, or one or more ten-second reset signals generated by the scoreboard controller are initiated manually.  
     
     
       21. The scoreboard according to claim 19 wherein said one or more inbound start signals, one or more shot clock start signals, or one or more ten-second reset signals generated by the scoreboard controller are initiated by a computer.  
     
     
       22. The scoreboard according to claim 18 wherein the auxiliary timing device generates one or more audible or visual alarms upon receipt of said one or more five-second violation signal.  
     
     
       23. The scoreboard according to claim 17 wherein the auxiliary timing device generates one or more audible or visual alarms upon receipt of said one or more ten-second violation signal.  
     
     
       24. The scoreboard according to claim 17 further comprising one or more time lapse displays for displaying the status of any of the shot clock, the game clock, the five-second timing device, the ten-second timing device, or combinations thereof.