Scorekeeping Wristband for Sports Games

Abstract

A scorekeeping wristband allows the user to track the points scored in a pick-up basketball game. The wristband is similar in structure and function to a sports wristband, but provides a scorekeeping function. The user may quickly add points as they are scored to each team's score, such that the score may be easily kept while participating in the game. A mobile application is also provided, enabling the user to transmit and update the score to a smartphone, computer, or other electronic device. The application employs consensus scoring, such that the input from a majority of multiple wristband users may be relied upon as an accurate score for the game.

Claims

1. A scorekeeping wristband, comprising: a. a body having a front surface; b. said front surface providing a digital scoring display; c. said digital scoring display including a visiting team score and a home team score; d. a scoring button; e. said scoring button being configured to add a point to either the visiting team score or the home team score when pressed; f. a flexible band; and g. both ends of the flexible band being connected to opposite ends of the body forming a loop such that the wristband can be worn securely around a wrist.

2. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 1, wherein said scoring button is configured to add a point to the home team score when pressed and further comprising a second scoring button; said second scoring button being configured to add a point to the visiting team score.

3. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 1, further comprising: a letter V next to the visiting team score and a letter H next to the home team score.

4. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 2, wherein a letter H is located on the first scoring button such that when the first button with the letter H is pressed a point is added to the home team score; the letter V is located on the second button such that when the second button with the letter V is pressed a point is added to the visitor team score.

5. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 4, wherein by pressing the first scoring button and holding it down, a point is subtracted from the home team score; by pressing the second scoring button and holding it down, a point is subtracted from the visiting team score.

6. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 1, wherein the scorekeeping wristband is water resistant.

7. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 1, wherein the scorekeeping wristband is shock resistant.

8. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 1, wherein the scorekeeping wristband is powered by a rechargeable battery.

9. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 8, wherein the body provides a socket for a removable recharging cord; such that a charging cord may be plugged into said scorekeeping wristband and said rechargeable battery can be charged.

10. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 1, wherein the user touches the digital display to activate the wristband.

11. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 1, wherein a power button is provided to activate the wristband.

12. A scorekeeping wristband, comprising at least one wristband and a mobile application: said at least one wristband comprising: a. a body having a front surface; b. said front surface providing a digital scoring display; c. said digital scoring display including a visiting team score and a home team score; d. a scoring button; e. said scoring button being configured to add a point to either the visiting team score or the home team score when pressed; f. a flexible band; and g. both ends of the flexible band being connected to opposite ends of the body forming a loop such that the wristband can be worn securely around a wrist; said mobile application comprising: h. a mobile application being configured to synch with one or more scorekeeping wristbands; i. said mobile application receiving data from said wristbands when scores are recorded.

13. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 11, wherein more than one wristband is synched with the mobile application; each wristband is assigned to either a home team or a visiting team; and wherein said wristbands are configured to add a point to the team to which they are assigned when the scoring button is pressed.

14. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 11, wherein said scoring button is configured to add a point to the home team score when pressed and further comprising a second scoring button; said second scoring button being configured to add a point to the visiting team score when pressed.

15. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 11, wherein if more than one scorekeeping wristband is synched with the mobile application, the mobile application records the home score and the visitor score from each scorekeeping wristband to determine a consensus score for the visitor score and the home score.

16. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 11, wherein the scorekeeping wristband is water resistant.

17. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 11, wherein the scorekeeping wristband is shock resistant.

18. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 11, wherein the scorekeeping wristband is powered by a rechargeable battery.

19. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 16, wherein the body provides a socket for a removable recharging cord; such that a charging cord may be plugged into said scorekeeping wristband and said rechargeable battery can be charged.

20. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 11, wherein the user touches the digital display to activate the wristband.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the wristband 10, the body 11, the scoring buttons 12, the scoring display 13, and the flexible band 14.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the wristband 10, the body 11, the scoring buttons 12, the scoring display 13, and the flexible band 14.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the wristband 10, the body 11, and the flexible band 14.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment, displaying the wristband 10, the body 11, the scoring button 12, the scoring display 13, and the flexible band 14.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the wristband system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a scorekeeping wristband 10.

[0023] The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a wristband 10, which is similar in structure and function to a conventional sports wristband such as the Fitbit Flex, but provides a scorekeeping function for pick-up basketball games.

[0024] The front surface 11A of the body 11 of the wristband 10 provides a digital scoring display 13. The digital scoring display 13 provides a visiting team score 30 displayed next to the letter V 31 and the home team score 32 displayed next to the letter H 33. Scoring buttons 12A and 12B are provided next to each team's score (30 and 32), and the user may update each team's score by pressing the corresponding scoring button 12A or 12B. By pressing the scoring button 12A or 12B and holding it down, the user may subtract points which were erroneously added. The letter V can also be located on the button 12B so that when the button 12B is pushed a point is added to the visitors score 30. The letter H can also be located on the button 12A so that when the button 12A is pushed a point is added to the home score 32.

[0025] The user may quickly add points as they are scored to each team's score, such that the score may be easily kept while participating in the game. A mobile application is also provided, enabling the user to transmit and update the score to a smartphone, computer, or other electronic device where the user has installed the application.

[0026] The fatigue and speed of play inherent in basketball games may introduce the possibility of an inaccurate score whenever a single user serves as the scorekeeper. Thus multiple users of the wristband 10 are encouraged to keep score in each game. The application employs consensus scoring, such that the input from a majority of the users of the wristband 10 participating in the game may be relied upon as an accurate score for the game. Each field goal, free throw, or other scoring entered by a user is not recorded as part of the official score by the application until a clear majority of all users has recorded the points.

[0027] The body 11 is secured on the user's wrist by a flexible band 14, which is affixed to each end of the body 11 by a small, low-profile clamp. The flexible band 14 provides only a small degree of elasticity, such that the wristband 10 does not slip off of the user's wrist during a game. The flexible band 14 is provided in a broad range of sizes and colors.

[0028] Preferably, the wristband 10 is water resistant and shock resistant, and is powered by a rechargeable battery. The rear surface of the body 11 provides a socket 35 for a removable recharging cord, which is provided, and may be plugged into a Universal Service Bus (USB) port on another device to recharge the battery.

[0029] To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may elect to synchronize the wristband 10 with the mobile application. If multiple users synchronize their wristbands 10 with the same application, the application uses consensus scoring for the game. The user touches his or her wrist to activate the wristband 10. Each user may add points to score of each team by pressing the corresponding scoring button 12A or 12B.

[0030] The body 11 and the clamps are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials which are substantially waterproof, such as steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, and malacrylate. The flexible band 14 is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material such as silicone, rubber, or plastic.

[0031] In a second exemplary embodiment the wristband 10 provides only a single scoring button 12A. The single scoring button 12A is located on the top edge 11C of the body 11. A power button 40 is also provided on the top edge 11C of the body 11. The second exemplary embodiment still provides a digital scoring display 13. The digital scoring display 13 shows the home score and the visitor score. The digital scoring display may also display the username of the player as well as the time left in the game.

[0032] When multiple users synchronize their wristbands 10 to the mobile application they are assigned usernames as well as teams. Each player from a scoring team then presses the single scoring button 12A on their wristband 10. Each wristband is associated with either the home team or the visitor team and the point is distributed accordingly when a consensus of the players for that team have hit the scoring button 12A. The digital scoring display 13 then adds the point to the appropriate team and the proper score is displayed on all player's wristbands 10.

[0033] Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

[0034] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.