Timing apparatus for timing competitions

Abstract

Systems, methods and devices for timing manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination competitions are provided. In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for timing cup stacking competitions. The present disclosure includes a timer for timing various competitions and wherein the timer comprises a plurality of trigger points or touch points to ergonomically require a user to perform certain actions to activate and operate the timer.

Claims

1. A system for timing competitions comprising: a timer mechanism comprising a display operable to indicate an elapsed time, and a plurality of triggers; wherein the plurality of triggers comprises at least three spaced apart triggers; wherein the display is operatively connected to the plurality of triggers and wherein a first activation of the plurality of trigger members starts a timer and a second activation of the plurality of trigger members stops the timer; wherein the first activation and the second activation require substantially simultaneous contact with at least two of the plurality of triggers; and a mat for selectively receiving the timer mechanism, wherein the mat comprises at least one male extension operable to be received by the timer mechanism; wherein a bottom surface of the timer mechanism comprises at least one female aperture operable to receive the at least one male extension of the mat.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one trigger comprises a pressure sensitive switch, a capacitive switch, a photo optic or photo electric switch, or a dry contact switch.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the timer mechanism comprises at least one female aperture operable to receive at least one male extension.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the mat comprises two male extensions operable to be received by the timer mechanism. and wherein a bottom surface of the timer mechanism comprises two female apertures operable to receive the two male extensions of the mat.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the timer mechanism comprises a microprocessor, an LCD display, a plurality of light emitting diodes, a reset switch, a power switch, and a power source.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the timer mechanism is configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes, and the timer mechanism comprises a multi-color light emitting diode for indicating one of a plurality of operating modes of the timer mechanism.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the timer mechanism comprises a data port enabling data associated with the timer mechanism to be displayed on an external display, and wherein the operating mode of the timer is indicated by an indicia on at least one of the timer mechanism display or the external display.

8. A system for timing competitions comprising: a timer mechanism comprising a display operable to indicate an elapsed time, and a plurality of triggers; and a switch configurable to select between a plurality of operating modes; wherein the plurality of triggers comprises at least four spaced apart triggers; wherein the timer mechanism is configured to operate in at least a first operating mode in response to a first activation of said switch and a second operating mode in response to a second activation of said switch; wherein in the first operating mode, a first activation of the at least four triggers starts a timer and a second activation of the at least four triggers stops the timer, wherein the first activation and the second activation require substantially simultaneous contact with the at least four triggers; and in the second operating mode, a first activation of at least two of the at least four triggers starts a timer and a second activation of the at least two of the at least four triggers stops the timer, wherein the first activation and the second activation require substantially simultaneous contact with the at least two of the at least four triggers; and a mat for selectively receiving the timer mechanism, wherein the mat comprises at least one male extension operable to be received by the timer mechanism: wherein a bottom surface of the timer mechanism comprises at least one female aperture operable to receive the at least one male extension of the mat.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one trigger comprises a pressure sensitive switch, a capacitive switch, a photo optic or photo electric switch, or a dry contact switch.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the timer mechanism comprises at least one female aperture operable to receive at least one male extension.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein said timer mechanism is substantially symmetrical with respect to a first axis. and said timer mechanism comprises two lobes extending horizontally from said first axis; and wherein the plurality of triggers comprises a first trigger on a first surface of a first lobe, a second trigger on a second surface of said first lobe, a third trigger on a first surface of a second lobe, and a fourth trigger on a second surface of said second lobe.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the timer mechanism comprises a microprocessor, an LCD display, a plurality of light emitting diodes, a reset switch, a power switch, and a power source.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the timer mechanism comprises a multi-color light emitting diode for indicating one of a plurality of operating modes of the timer mechanism.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the timer mechanism comprises a data port enabling data associated with the timer mechanism to be displayed on an external display, and wherein the operating mode of the timer is indicated by an indicia on at least one of the timer mechanism display or the external display.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the mat is configured to reduce at least one of sliding and bouncing of objects that come into contact with the mat.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the mat comprises a foam material.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the mat comprises a fabric surface bonded foam substrate.

18. The system of claim 8, wherein the mat is configured to reduce at least one of sliding and bouncing of objects that come into contact with the mat.

19. The system of claim 8, wherein the mat comprises a foam material.

20. the system of claim 8, wherein the mat comprises a fabric surface bonded to a foam substrate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The figures which follow depict a preferred embodiment, and may depict various alternative embodiments. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments depicted herein since even further various alternative embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For the ease of the reader, like reference numerals in various drawing figures refer to identical structural elements or components.

(2) FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure in conjunction with other components used in cup stacking competitions.

(3) FIG. 2 depicts a top view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

(4) FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of the operation of the timer of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

(5) FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of the operation of the timer of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

(6) FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

(7) FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a timer and a mat.

(8) FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a timer and a mat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary cup stacking system is comprised of a mat 10, a timer 20, and a plurality of cups 50. FIG. 1 depicts a set of twelve cups arranged in the 3-6-3 position. FIG. 1 shows the timer 20 as a separate unit from the mat, while the triggers 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d are incorporated into the timer. It should be noted that the triggers can be a separate unit from the timer. It should also be noted that the triggers can be incorporated into the mat. It should also be noted that the triggers and the timer can be incorporated into the mat to form an integral unit. A competitor begins with both hands on the timer 20 and activates the triggers 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d to start the timer. Once the triggers are activated and the timer starts, the hands may be removed from the timer to manipulate the cups 50. Once the cups 50 are arranged in the proper orientation based on the rules of the competition, the competitor's hands are returned to the triggers 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d to stop the timer.

(10) FIG. 2 shows a timer 20 of one embodiment of the present disclosure. The timer 20 in FIG. 2 is shown separated from a mat for illustrative purposes. The timer has a power switch 21, which can be any kind of switch that will allow electricity to flow through the circuit board and the various elements of the timer. The timer 20 has a readout display 22 where time is displayed. The timer 20 has touch pad triggers 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d which are connected to an interior timer mechanism through interior wire connectors. This connection may be through wires or through conductive traces. In this embodiment, the triggers 30 comprise a top left trigger 30a, a top right trigger 30b, a back left trigger 30c, and a back right trigger 30d. In this embodiment top left trigger 30a is configured to be contacted with the fingers of the left hand, top right trigger 30b is configured to be contacted with the fingers of the right hand, back left trigger 30c is configured to be contacted with the left thumb, and back right trigger 30d is configured to be contacted with the right thumb.

(11) In this embodiment, the bottom surface of the timer is configured to rest substantially flat on a horizontal surface such as a table or mat. The timer is configured to be used with the back left trigger 30c and the back right trigger 30d facing the competitor. The timer is substantially horizontally symmetrical from the perspective of the competitor with respect to an axis that runs parallel to the bottom surface from the side of the timer facing the competitor to the side of the timer facing away from the competitor. The shape of the timer comprises two lobes extending horizontally from the axis such that the timer is wider at the side facing away from the competitor than it is at the side facing the competitor. The display 22 is tilted such that, from the competitor's perspective, the near edge of the display is lower than the far edge of the display. The top left trigger 30a and the top right trigger 30b are substantially parallel to the bottom surface but may be slightly inclined. The back left trigger 30c and the back right trigger 30d have a generally perpendicular orientation to the bottom surface but are inclined such that, from the competitor's perspective, the near edge of each trigger is lower than the far edge of each trigger. The overall shape and orientation of the timer and its components are designed to accommodate the shape of the competitor's hands when the fingers are placed on the top left trigger 30a and top right trigger 30b and the thumbs are placed on the back left trigger 30c and the back right trigger 30d. Further, the triggers are spaced apart to accommodate the display and other controls of the timer.

(12) The timer 20 has, in this embodiment, an LED 23 that is operable to illuminate when pressure is sensed by all four triggers. Alternatively, multiple indicator LEDs may be used, each of which corresponds to one of the touch pad triggers, and will illuminate when contact is sensed by a touch pad trigger. When the touch pad triggers 30 are contacted for longer than a preset interval, an arming LED 24 is illuminated. The arming LED 24 indicates to a competitor or observer that the timer is ready and the competition can begin. The timer 20 is triggered or initiated by releasing the touch pad triggers 30. The timer 20 is stopped by applying pressure again to the touch pad triggers 30. The timer can be reset by utilizing a reset switch 25. The reset switch can be a push button, a flip switch or any other appropriate switch.

(13) A competitor will use the timer by first placing both hands on the touch pad triggers 30 such that all four triggers are in contact with the competitor's hands. Indicator lamp or LED 23 will light up to show that each touch pad has been activated. Once both hands are in place for a full second, an arming lamp or light emitting diode 24 is illuminated to show that the timer is armed and ready for the competitor to begin. Although this embodiment utilizes LEDs to show the competitor that the timer is armed and ready to begin, one of skill in the art can envision other means of notifying the competitor that the timer is armed, including but not limited to an audible or visual indicator or a flashing light, or an indicator on the LCD screen.

(14) The competitor's hands will then leave the touch pad triggers, starting the timer. A readout display 22 indicates the amount of time that has passed. Once the sequence has been completed, both of the competitor's hands must again rest on the touch pad triggers such that all four triggers are in contact with the competitor's hands. This will stop the timer. The final time remains on the readout display to allow the time to be recorded. To begin another timed sequence, the competitor or a judge pushes a reset button 25.

(15) It should be appreciated that the timer could easily be connected, in any suitable manner, to remote time display devices that would display time, compute time or store time, such as a computer, or other electronic device that displays, analyzes, and/or stores information (a tablet, laptop, etc.). In such an arrangement, a wireless link (Bluetooth or WiFi, for example) or a data cable, such as a USB cable, is contemplated to connect the timer to a remote display, computer, or other device (not shown). A computer program can direct the computer to begin accruing time when the trigger is activated, to stop accruing time when the trigger is reactivated, or the remote display could simply display the time as calculated by the timer. Once time is stopped, the computer program could direct the judge or competitor to store the time or to delete the time or display other information, such as timer mode.

(16) In various embodiments, timing devices are provided that comprise at least two different modes of operation and wherein the timing devices are selectively provided n a mode of operation (e.g. two-pad and four-pad operation). Devices of the present disclosure including timers and timing display devices are operable to provide a visual indicia to one or more users regarding the mode of operation in which at least one timing device is provided. In one embodiment, when the timer is connected to a remote display, a format of a data stream sent from the timer to a remote display is used to indicate the current operating mode. For example, when the timer is in a mode in which only two of the touchpads are active, the timer's LCD display blinks at least upon stopping or displaying a final time. The data stream sent to the remote display is formatted such that the remote display blinks (e.g. three times). In some embodiments, when the timer is operating in a mode in which all touchpads are active, the display does not blink and the data stream to the remote display is formatted such that the remote display does not blink, thereby indicating no irregularities in the timing activity.

(17) In addition to or in lieu of blinking or flashing the time to provide an indicia, embodiments of the present disclosure contemplate the provision of a light or similar indicia. For example, a final time is contemplated as being provided on a display with a further indicia of the mode of operation (e.g. 2 lights for 2-mode and 4 lights for 4-mode). Such embodiments allow for observers to quickly assess whether or not a timing device was provided in a correct mode and generally provides additional information to users and spectators.

(18) The flowchart for the timing mechanism of one embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. The power is turned on in step 100. The timer then sets a variable T.sub.0 to be zero in step 105. When the variable, T.sub.0 is zero, the LED is off. The touch pad triggers are activated by placing the hands of the competitor on or over the triggers such that all four triggers are in contact with the competitor's hands and the microprocessor of the timer analyzes whether all four touch pad triggers are activated, step 110. When all four triggers are activated, the microprocessor adds 1 to the value of T.sub.0 in step 115, then compares the value of T.sub.0 to another preset variable, T.sub.arm, in step 120. The microprocessor then determines whether T.sub.0 is greater than T.sub.arm, step 120. If not, the microprocessor reverts to step 110. If T.sub.0 is greater than T.sub.arm, the microprocessor directs current to the ARM light emitting diode, illuminating the diode, as shown in step 125. If not, the process begins again at step 110 until both pads have been activated for the required time T.sub.arm.

(19) The hands must be removed from all four triggers in order to move from the ARM state to accruing time. The ARM LED is the signal for the competitor that the timer is ready to begin timing as soon as the competitor is ready. Once the competitor notices the illumination of the ARM LED, the competitor is then free to remove their hands from the touch pad triggers. Then, the microprocessor checks whether all four touch pad triggers are activated, in step 130. If all pads are not activated, the ARM LED is turned off and the timer is started, step 135. A delay is built into this embodiment, step 140. This delay prevents errant starting of the timer by the competitor if the competitor's hands were to leave the pads for less than 0.3 seconds. The delay of 0.3 seconds shown in step 140 is a debounce timer that does not affect the accumulating time of the competitor. The purpose of the delay is to eliminate errant STOP signals that could occur as the competitor's hands are leaving the triggers. Since actual competitive times of less than 0.3 seconds are not likely, the delay does not interfere with the function of the device and does not affect the measured time.

(20) When the touch pad triggers are reactivated, the microprocessor checks to ensure that reactivation occurs on all four touch pad triggers, step 145. If not, the timer keeps accruing time. If so, the timer is stopped, step 150. The final time is displayed on the display readout until the reset button is pressed, steps 155 and 160. Once the timer is reset, the variable T.sub.0 is set back to zero and the timer is ready to time another competition.

(21) In another embodiment, the timer may operate in a two-trigger mode, in which only two of the four triggers must be activated to start or stop the timer. This mode may be suitable, for example, for competitive activities such as competitive cubing in which easily verifiable rules prevent the user from improperly positioning the hands while starting or stopping the timer. In such competitions, additional touchpads for the thumbs are not required and in fact, would represent an unwelcome burden for competitors. Therefore, a timer design that has the ability to switch between two-pad mode and four-pad mode would have the advantage of being able to serve a variety of activities with a single device. In a preferred embodiment, in two-trigger mode the triggers that must be activated to start or stop the timer are the top left trigger and the top right trigger. However, the timer may be configured such that other pairs of triggers can be used in two-trigger mode. The timer may also be configured such that any two triggers can be used in two-trigger mode.

(22) In the two-trigger embodiment, the improved timing device includes a switch to toggle between two-trigger mode and four-trigger mode. Switching between the modes may be accomplished with a discrete switch dedicated for this purpose or may be done by requiring the user to hold one or more existing buttons on the device for a specific period of time in order to toggle between modes, or may employ any other common approach for switching between modes.

(23) The flowchart for the timing mechanism operation in two-trigger mode is shown in FIG. 4. The power is turned on in step 200. The timer then sets a variable T.sub.0 to be zero in step 205. When the variable, T.sub.0 is zero, the light emitting diodes are off. The touch pad triggers are activated by placing the hands of the competitor on or over the triggers and the microprocessor of the timer analyzes whether both touch pad triggers are activated, step 210. When both triggers are activated, the microprocessor adds 1 to the value of T.sub.0 in step 215, then compares the value of T.sub.0 to another preset variable, T.sub.arm, in step 220. The microprocessor then determines whether T.sub.0 is greater than T.sub.arm, step 220. If not, the microprocessor reverts to step 210. If T.sub.0 is greater than T.sub.arm, the microprocessor directs current to the ARM light emitting diode, illuminating the diode, as shown in step 225. If not, the process begins again at step 210 until both pads have been activated for the required time T.sub.arm.

(24) The hands must be removed from both pads in order to move from the ARM state to accruing time. The ARM LED is the signal for the competitor to begin the competition. Once the competitor notices the illumination of the ARM LED, the competitor is then free to remove both hands from the touch pad triggers. Then, the microprocessor checks whether both touch pad triggers are activated, in step 230. If the pads are not activated, the ARM LED is turned off and the timer is started, step 235. A delay is built into this embodiment, step 240. This delay prevents errant starting of the timer by the competitor if the competitor's hands were to leave the pads for less than 0.3 seconds. The delay of 0.3 seconds shown in step 240 is a debounce timer that does not affect the accumulating time of the competitor. The purpose of the delay is to eliminate errant STOP signals that could occur as the competitor's hands are leaving the triggers. Since actual competitive times of less than 0.3 seconds are not likely, the delay does not interfere with the function of the device and does not affect the measured time.

(25) When the touch pad triggers are reactivated, the microprocessor checks to ensure that reactivation occurs on both touch pad triggers, step 245. If not, the timer keeps accruing time. If so, the timer is stopped, step 250. The final time is displayed on the display readout until the reset button is pressed, steps 255 and 260. Once the timer is reset, the variable T.sub.0 is set back to zero and the timer is ready to time another competition.

(26) In another embodiment, the timer uses a single, multi-color LED to indicate both the state of the timer as well as the current operating mode of the timer. One embodiment of this improved state and mode indicating system is as follows:

(27) TABLE-US-00001 Light in Two- Light in Four- Timer State Pad Mode Pad mode Power OFF OFF OFF Power ON COLOR 1 COLOR 2 Hands on both pads COLOR 3 COLOR 3 Hands on both pads for a preset COLOR 4 COLOR 4 amount of time - timer armed Hands off - timer running COLOR 4 COLOR 4 BLINKING BLINKING

(28) Conventional devices for timing sport stacking competitions use a two-light system for indicating the various states of the timer as follows:

(29) TABLE-US-00002 Timer State Red Light Green Light Power OFF OFF OFF Power ON OFF OFF Hands on both pads ON OFF Hands on both pads for 1 sec - ON ON timer armed Hands off - timer running BLINKING BLINKING

(30) The use of a single, multi-color LED system on the timer to indicate both the timer's state and operating mode reduces the cost to manufacture and improves the functionality by allowing additional information about the condition of the timer to be conveyed in one place and with a single device.

(31) In another embodiment, it is recognized that the light indicating the mode be evident to the competitor as well as to spectators, judges and video recording devices. For example, judges should be able to confirm that the timer is being operated in four-trigger mode for sport stacking competitions, since operation in two-trigger mode would confer an advantage on a given competitor and might not otherwise be evident. In this embodiment, the timer includes a system for transmitting the light from the multi-color LED to an illuminating feature located in a highly visible area of the timer, for example, the top of the timer. This allows the user to confirm the state and mode of the timer but also makes the state and mode evident to judges, spectators and video recording devices. This improved visibility allows officials to verify the competitor's proper operation of the timer and to confirm its operating mode both during the competition and during subsequent video review.

(32) In various embodiments, timer devices of the present disclosure provide an improved mechanism for attaching a timer to a mat. Timers used for sport stacking and competitive cubing are typically used in conjunction with a mat (see FIG. 1, for example). In sport stacking, the mat defines the bounds of the playing surface and also serves as a preferential stacking surface by reducing unwanted sliding and bouncing of the cups during the stacking sequence. Existing timers for both sport stacking and competitive cubing connect to the mat using a system where two buttons on the mat, each having a T-shaped cross section, slide into mating features on the timer. To attach the timer to the mat, the timer body is placed onto the mat with the two holes in the bottom of the timer aligned with the two buttons on the mat. The user then slides the timer to the right, which engages the T-shaped buttons with retaining features in the timer to secure it. While this sliding-type system allows for easy attachment and removal, it sometimes results in unintended detachment when side forces are inadvertently applied by the user.

(33) In this embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, an improved system for attaching the timer to a mat has been developed which prevents unwanted detachment of the timer from the mat. This embodiment includes features attached to the mat that snap into mating features 40 integrated into the timer body. This snap-in type approach prevents unwanted release due to side forces applied inadvertently by the user. Release due to side forces is prevented because the retaining features provide a rigid attachment in all axes, except when the timer is lifted straight up, away from the mat. In this upward axis, the timer has light detents (snap-in features) which are easily overcome when the timer is purposefully removed by the user. Upward forces are never encountered during use in either sport stacking or competitive cubing, even inadvertently, and as a result, this snap-in type system is much more immune to inadvertent detachment during use.

(34) FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a timing system including a mat 10 and a timer 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The timer comprises a timber body 20a and a timer base 20b. The mat includes a snap 60 that is configured to be inserted into a mating feature 40 of the timing device. The snap 60 is attached to the mat using a fastener 70 which connects to the snap through a hole 80. In this embodiment, the fastener 70 is a screw-type fastener. However, any suitable fastener can be used, including a snap, a bolt, or adhesive. The snap 60 may further be shaped or contoured such that when the snap 60 is engaged with the mating feature 40 the timer 20 cannot be rotated about the vertical axis. For example, a notch may be cut into the surface of snap 60 that matches a ridge in the interior of mating feature 40 such that when snap 60 is inserted into mating feature 40 the ridge is inserted into the notch, preventing rotational movement.

(35) FIG. 7 discloses another example of a mat in this embodiment. The mat includes two snaps 60a and 60b that are configured to be inserted into two mating features 40a and 40b of the timing device. The snaps 60a and 60b are attached to the mat using fasteners 70a and 70b which connect to the snaps through holes 80a and 80b. In this embodiment, the fasteners 70a and 70b are screw-type fasteners. However, any suitable fastener can be used, including a snap, a bolt, or adhesive. In this embodiment, the use of two snaps prevents rotational movement around the vertical axis, and contouring the snaps 60a and 60b is unnecessary.

(36) It will be recognized that the invention disclosed herein is suitable for a variety of competitive activities, including competitive speed cubing competitions, where competitors attempt to solve a Rubik's cube or similar 3-D combination puzzle in as little time as possible (speed cubing). The reasons for using this type of timer in speed cubing are the same as for sport stacking; both of a competitor's hands are forced to be in a known position when starting and stopping the timer and are therefore prevented from being engaged with the puzzle.

(37) It will be recognized that features of the various embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in a variety of ways to obtain various embodiments of the claimed invention.

(38) The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. The invention which is intended to be protected herein should not, however, be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, as these are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing best mode of carrying out the invention should be considered exemplary in nature and not as limiting to the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.