阅读说明：本技术 无线可定制裁判寻呼系统 (Wireless customizable referee paging system ) 是由 塞缪尔·W·拉尔 于 2020-03-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了一种无线可定制裁判寻呼系统。该系统包括至少两个标志信号传递组件,每个标志信号传递组件具有电子签名以基于标志用户对该标志信号传递组件的输入发送唯一标志信号。该系统包括中央接收组件,其从每个标志信号传递组件接收唯一标志信号,然后提醒中央用户接收到唯一标志信号。标志信号传递组件和中央接收组件各自具有无线电电路,从而标志信号传递组件基本上仅经由技术与中央接收组件通信。标志信号传递组件和中央接收组件各自具有配对模式和信号传递模式。配对模式唯一地将每个标志信号传递组件与中央接收组件配对。信号传递模式限制与中央接收组件通信的每个标志信号传递组件。(A wireless customizable referee paging system is disclosed. The system includes at least two token signaling components, each having an electronic signatureTo transmit a unique token signal based on a token user input to the token signaling component. The system includes a central receiving component that receives the unique identification signal from each of the identification signal delivery components and then alerts a central user of the receipt of the unique identification signal. The flag signal transmitting component and the central receiving component are respectively provided with Radio circuits whereby the flag signal conveying component is substantially exclusively passed through The technology communicates with a central receiving component. The flag signaling component and the central receiving component each have a pairing mode and a signaling mode. The pairing mode uniquely pairs each tag signaling component with the central receiving component. The signaling mode restricts each tag signaling component in communication with the central receiving component.)

1. A wireless customizable referee paging system having universal and interchangeable components, comprising:

at least two token signaling components, each token signaling component having an electronic signature to transmit a unique token signal based on a token user input to the token signaling component;

a central receiving component for receiving the unique mark signal from each mark signal transmitting component and then reminding a central user of receiving the unique mark signal;

the sign signal transmitting component and the central receiving component are respectively provided with BluetoothA radio circuit whereby said tag signal transfer assembly is substantially only via BluetoothA technology in communication with the central receiving component; and

the signpost signaling component and the central receiving component each have a pairing mode and a signaling mode, wherein in the pairing mode, each signpost signaling component uniquely pairs with the central receiving component based on an electronic signature of the signpost signaling component, and in the signaling mode, each signpost signaling component communicates substantially only with the central receiving component with which it is paired, so long as the signpost signaling component is paired with the central receiving component.

2. The referee paging system of claim 1, wherein the unique flag signal is encrypted when communicated between the flag signal transmission component and the central receiving component.

3. The referee paging system of claim 1, wherein the alert to the central user is done discretely between the central receiving component and the central user.

4. The referee paging system according to claim 3, wherein the alarm is a vibration alarm for the central user.

5. The referee paging system according to claim 1, wherein each flag signaling component comprises a flag alarm activated in conjunction with the unique flag signal.

6. The referee paging system according to claim 5, wherein the flag alarm is a flag vibration alarm to the flag user.

7. The referee paging system of claim 1, wherein each signpost signaling assembly includes a signpost projecting from a tip of the signpost signaling assembly for enforcing a sporting event, and the user uses the same hand to enforce the sporting event and transmit the unique signpost signal.

8. The referee paging system of claim 1, wherein each flag signaling component consists essentially of the following electronic subcomponents-a microprocessor in communication with each of: signal button, vibration motor, indicator light, charging port, battery, on/off switch and bluetoothA radio circuit.

9. According to the rightThe referee paging system of claim 1, wherein the central receiving component consists essentially of the following electronic subcomponents-a microprocessor in communication with each of: mode button, vibration motor, indicator light, charging port, battery, on/off switch and bluetoothA radio circuit.

10. The referee paging system of claim 9, wherein each flag signaling component consists essentially of the following electronic subcomponents-a microprocessor in communication with each of: signal button, vibration motor, indicator light, charging port, battery, on/off switch and bluetoothA radio circuit.

11. The referee paging system according to claim 10, wherein each flag signaling component consists essentially of the same type of electronic subassembly as the central receiving component.

12. The referee paging system of claim 1, wherein the pairing mode comprises pairing the flag signaling component and the central receiving component using NFC technology.

13. The referee paging system of claim 1, wherein the signaling pattern further comprises the central receiving component identifying substantially only landmark signaling components paired therewith so long as those landmark signaling components are paired with the central receiving component.

14. A wireless customizable referee paging system having universal and interchangeable components, comprising:

at least two signage signal delivery assemblies, each signage signal delivery assembly having an electronic signature to transmit a unique signage signal based on input to the signage signal delivery assembly by a signage user, and each signage signal delivery assembly including a sign extending from a distal end of the signage signal delivery assembly for enforcing a sporting event and the user enforcing the sporting event and transmitting the unique signage signal using the same hand;

a central receiving component that receives the unique identification signal from each identification signal delivery component and then alerts a central user of receipt of the unique identification signal, each identification signal delivery component including an identification alert that is activated in conjunction with the unique identification signal;

the sign signal transmitting component and the central receiving component are respectively provided with BluetoothA radio circuit whereby said tag signal transfer assembly is substantially only via BluetoothA technology in communication with the central receiving component;

the central receiving assembly consists essentially of the following electronic sub-assemblies — a microprocessor in communication with each of the following: mode button, vibration motor, indicator light, charging port, battery, on/off switch and bluetoothA radio circuit; and

the signpost signaling component and the central receiving component each have a pairing mode and a signaling mode, wherein in the pairing mode, each signpost signaling component uniquely pairs with the central receiving component based on an electronic signature of the signpost signaling component, and in the signaling mode, each signpost signaling component communicates substantially only with the central receiving component with which it is paired, so long as the signpost signaling component is paired with the central receiving component.

15. The referee paging system according to claim 14, wherein the alert to the central user is done discretely between the central receiving component and the central user, and the flag alert is done discretely between the flag signaling component and the flag user.

16. The referee paging system according to claim 15, wherein the alarm and the tag alarm are each vibration alarms for the respective central and tag users.

17. The referee paging system of claim 14, wherein each flag signaling component consists essentially of the following electronic subcomponents-a microprocessor in communication with each of: signal button, vibration motor, indicator light, charging port, battery, on/off switch and bluetoothA radio circuit.

18. The referee paging system of claim 17, wherein each flag signaling component consists essentially of the same type of electronic subassembly as the central receiving component.

19. The referee paging system of claim 14, wherein the pairing mode comprises pairing the flag signaling component and the central receiving component using NFC technology.

20. The referee paging system of claim 14, wherein the signaling pattern further comprises the central receiving component identifying substantially only the landmark signaling components with which it is paired, so long as those landmark signaling components are paired with the central receiving component.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to Radio Frequency (RF) communications, and more particularly, to systems, methods, apparatus, computer-readable media and other means for signaling or confirming, by one game official, to another game official, that a foul or other action has occurred at a game venue.

Background

For each football match, three referees are usually responsible for executing the rules of the match: a referee and two assistant referees (i.e., ARs). The referee runs directly on the field with the players to keep up with the game so that they are in the best position to penalize. The AR equipped with the logo runs up and down the borderline with the player and also bears the specific responsibility for executing the rules. When the AR finds a violation, they raise a flag to alert the officials, who, once found, will sound a whistle to stop the game and execute the violation. This communication system between officials is crucial: since executing the rules in this case becomes immediately very difficult if the referee fails to find the sign of the AR, the result is almost always disadvantageous to one or both parties. Electronic communication devices and systems have been introduced due to challenges encountered in pure human-to-human communication.

Existing electronic devices and systems typically include a sign for waving to visually indicate that a condition has been observed, a shaft to which the sign is loosely attached, a handle that supports and is integral with the shaft, and an electronic device contained in the handle for transmitting an electromagnetic signal through an antenna. A switch actuated by the user of the sign energizes the radiating means, thereby causing an electromagnetic signal to be broadcast from the antenna to a receiving means carried by another officer who enforces the game. Current technology includes such electronic devices that employ low frequency radio communication to alert a receiving device when a button on the sign stem is pressed. There are also systems for training players and identifying the position of a player on a field.

Unfortunately, the cost of the components required in the assembly of existing devices is very high. This results in the consumer price of the system for putting products on the market being only suitable for the officials of semi-professional and professional competitions. For example, the analog nature of prior art devices requires several expensive components and design practices, which results in considerably less affordable off-the-shelf products. The prior art is characterized by several components that require a significant amount of power that must be provided by a battery mounted in the handle of the referee's sign. To design a product that can use so much power while housed in a handheld mobile device, a high performance and expensive battery is required.

Furthermore, existing systems are typically sold as a unit containing all three components, which cannot be interchanged with components of other similar systems. That is, the prior art without interchangeability is sold as a group system, the components of which must be used within the same system throughout the life cycle of the product. This reduces the affordability of the product, as failure of one component requires replacement of the system. Other limitations include the possibility of cancelling the signal when both ARs press the button at the same time. The result of this is that the referee receives no signal at all and both assistants may not notice.

Accordingly, new devices and systems are needed to address these shortcomings, as well as bring along other advantages not previously possible.

Disclosure of Invention

As the officer actually witnessed the importance of his assistant's sign, a system of handheld electronic devices was developed so that the assistant could simply press a button on the handle of the sign shaft and alert the officer who would be notified by, for example, a sensory vibration or an audible beep of a module fixed on their body (usually on their arm). Even more particularly, by the present invention, the referee paging system utilizes(BT) technology, a more reliable and robust wireless protocol for multiple data forms, rather than low frequency radio. For example, BT is a digital wireless communication system that relies on a uniform timing system to transmit and receive digital data packets between two or more devices. The BT transmitter and the BT receiver use Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio waves to transmit in a frequency band of 2.4-2.485 GHz. This frequency band is referred to as the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band and does not require licensing, but is not unregulated. The data being transmitted is broken up into digital packets that are transmitted or received at specific time intervals defined by each individual BT system. Most BT systems operate through a central-peripheral architecture, in which a central device specifies time intervals and can transmit and receive packets between a plurality of connected peripheral devices. The reliability of BT communications of the present invention, as compared to other RF transmission protocols, stems from the adoption of frequency hopping spread spectrum techniques. This means that each data packet being transmitted may not necessarily be transmitted at the same frequency as the previous or next data packet. The "hopping" of frequencies allows each device to follow an extremely complex pattern, resulting in better communication and less interference.

For comparison, a two transistor radio using an older technology and tuned to the same "channel" would be able to communicate. However, any other radio tuned to the same channel, separate from the original two radios, will also be able to listen to and possibly interrupt communication on that channel with expected or unexpected noise. With the present invention, BT can solve this problem by "hopping" between different channels in a very complex pattern that is agreed upon and followed only by the intended devices, allowing only those intended devices to receive and transmit the entire, uninterrupted signal, which is completely complete. Still further, BT technology has been revised and updated since its invention through the use of different combinations of software and hardware architectures. For example, BT 5 was released by the bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) in 2016, month 6, which includes a new software architecture that takes advantage of the longer data packet length. The resulting characteristics of such variations include different combinations of longer distance, stronger transmission signal, faster communication rate, and lower power consumption. Moreover, my invention is able to combine the desirable capabilities of BT 4 and BT 5 to achieve a low cost, simple and on-demand referee paging system that is available to a full range of users, not just to financially benign or professional type users.

In some embodiments, the present invention is a wireless customizable referee paging system having generic and interchangeable components. The system includes at least two flag signaling components. Each flag signaling component has an electronic signature to transmit a unique flag signal based on input to the flag signaling component by a flag user. The central receiving component receives the unique identification signal from each of the identification signal transmitting components and then alerts the central user of the receipt of the unique identification signal. The flag signal transmitting component and the central receiving component are respectively provided withRadio circuits whereby the flag signal conveying component is substantially exclusively passed throughThe technology communicates with a central receiving component. The signpost signaling component and the central receiving component each have a pairingMode and signaling mode. In the pairing mode, each tag signaling component is uniquely paired with the central receiving component based on an electronic signature of the tag signaling component. In the signaling mode, each signpost signaling component is in communication with substantially only the central receiving component with which it is paired, so long as the signpost signaling component is paired with the central receiving component.

In other embodiments of the present invention, there are wireless customizable referee paging systems with generic and interchangeable components. The system includes at least two flag signaling components. Each marker signaling assembly has an electronic signature to transmit a unique marker signal based on input to the marker signaling assembly by a marker user, and each marker signaling assembly has a marker for law enforcement sporting events that protrudes from the end of the marker signaling assembly. Ideally, although not required, the user uses the same hand to enforce the sporting event and transmit the unique identification signal. The central receiving assembly receives the unique identification signal from each of the identification signal delivery assemblies and then alerts the central user that the unique identification signal was received and each of the identification signal delivery assemblies has an identification alert activated in conjunction with the unique identification signal. The flag signal transmitting component and the central receiving component are respectively provided withRadio circuits whereby the flag signal conveying component is substantially exclusively passed throughThe technology communicates with a central receiving component. The central receiving component may consist essentially of the following electronic sub-components — a microprocessor in communication with each of the following: mode button, vibration (rumble) motor, indicator light, charging port, battery, on/off switch, anda radio circuit. The flag signaling component and the central receiving component each have a pairing mode and a signaling mode. In pairing modeEach tag signaling component is uniquely paired with a central receiving component based on the electronic signature of the tag signaling component. In the signaling mode, each signpost signaling component is in communication with substantially only the central receiving component with which it is paired, so long as the signpost signaling component is paired with the central receiving component.

Embodiments are also described herein that relate to the configuration of components, how signals are communicated between components, and the manner in which signals are made known to users of components.

Other embodiments are specific to the configuration and type of subassemblies, or how the subassemblies are paired together, all of which contribute to the simplicity and cost-effective construction of the system.

Drawings

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a signpost signaling assembly of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a rear perspective exploded view of fig. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the central receiver assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the flag electronics subassembly of the flag signaling assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a central component subassembly schematic view of the central receiving component shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a pairing scheme of the components shown in FIGS. 1 and 4;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an alternative pairing scheme for the components shown in FIGS. 1 and 4; and

fig. 11 is a flow diagram of the signaling pattern after pairing of the components seen in fig. 1 and 4.

The drawings illustrate some, but not all embodiments. Elements depicted in the figures are illustrative and not necessarily drawn to scale, and like (or similar) reference numerals refer to like (or similar) features throughout the figures.

Detailed Description

In accordance with practice of at least one embodiment of the present invention, there is a wireless customizable referee paging system having universal and interchangeable components 100 and 200, as shown, for example, in fig. 1-8. The system includes at least two flag signaling components, such as 100. Each flag signaling component has an electronic signature (explained below) to send a unique flag signal based on input (e.g., a user pressing signal button 103) to the flag signaling component by a flag user (not specifically shown). In physical construction and operation, it is preferred, but not required, that each signpost signaling assembly have a signpost 102 for law enforcement sporting events that extends from the end of the signpost signaling assembly. Still further, the user may use the same hand as sending the unique logo signal to law enforcement of the sporting event, such as by pressing button 103.

The central receiving assembly 200 receives the unique identification signal from each of the identification signal delivery assemblies and then alerts a central user (not specifically shown) of the receipt of the unique identification signal. The mark signal transmission component 100 and the central receiving component 200 are respectively provided withRadio circuits 301, 401 as part of their electronic sub-assemblies, thereby signaling the signal passing assembly viaThe technology communicates with the central receiving component and preferably does so substantially entirely via BT technology.

The flag signaling component and the central receiving component each have a pairing mode and a signaling mode. In the pairing mode, each tag signaling component 100 is uniquely paired with the central receiving component 200 based on the electronic signature of the tag signaling component. In the signaling mode, each signpost signaling component 100 is in communication with substantially only the central receiving component 200 with which it is paired, as long as the signpost signaling component 100 is paired with the central receiving component 200.

Without being limited to understanding theory, and generally due to the use of BT technology as taught herein, the features of the present invention allow the present invention to confirm the occurrence of a situation in a stadium event so simply and quickly that the referees do not need to look away from the game. That is, the central user is discretely alerted between the central receiving component and the central user. This may be accomplished, for example, by alerting the central user as a vibratory alert, i.e., an alert to their arm to which the assembly 200 is attached. Alternatively, it may be a low volume beep from the assembly 200, the level of which is only visibly detectable by the central user. Further, additional tactile feedback may be incorporated into the system such that each flag signaling component includes a flag alarm activated in conjunction with a unique flag signal. For example, the sign alert may be a sign vibration alert to a sign user, or it may be a low volume beep from the assembly 100, the level of which is only visibly detectable by the sign user.

Referring to fig. 1-3, in particular, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, there is a flag signaling assembly 100. The basic form is an elongated handle 101 in the form of a cylinder about 6-8 inches long and about 1-2 inches in diameter, designed for comfortable hand-holding for extended periods of time. This is a non-limiting example, as any form of handle having a cavity 107 to properly house the electronic subassembly and connect to the sign 102 may be used. The module 100 should be waterproof, rechargeable and comfortable for extended periods of time. It includes a signal button 103 and an indicator light 104, such as an LED. The handle 101 also includes an on/off switch 105 and a charging port 106, such as a USB. It should be noted that this should not be seen as a limiting example. Other components may be added or modified to perform the basic functions described as the invention. For example, other types of charging may be used with the present invention. Charging may be performed by inductive charging, wireless charging, contact charging, or by any other suitable means. It should be noted that the waterproof device may use inductive charging or wireless charging. Depending on the type of charging, a docking device or charging cord may be provided.

Turning to the drawings4-6, in particular, according to an exemplary embodiment, there is a central receiving component 200. The basic form is a small box about 4-6 inches long, 4-6 inches wide, and 0.5-1.5 inches deep. The assembly should also be chargeable and waterproof. Module 200 comprises an LED indicator 204, a mode button 203 and a flange 202 for a shackle, a Velcro for fixing the module to the referee^TMA tape. Located within the central receiving component module housing 201 are electronics and motors that function to receive bluetooth signals from other components and alert the officer. It should be noted that this should not be seen as a limiting example. Other components may be added or modified to perform the basic functions of the invention. As with the flag signaling component, other types of charging may be used with the present invention. Charging may be performed by inductive charging, wireless charging, contact charging, or by any other suitable means. It should be noted that the waterproof device may use inductive charging or wireless charging. Depending on the type of charging, a docking device or charging cord may be provided.

An additional benefit of the present invention is a system and assembly 100 and 200 that does not require significant training in use because of their simple configuration and operation, which will improve accuracy and thus the sports foundation of a live sporting event and its referees so that the game can be interrupted and appropriate action taken appropriately when the situation occurs without undue demonstration by the referees. The system 200 is also able to communicate with the assembly 100 over the entire length of the football pitch (approximately 170 metres maximum) and without concern for affecting system performance by players who may be in the line of sight path between the assemblies 100, 200. In addition to the use of BT technology as discussed herein, it may be advantageous to use BT antennas and preferably, for example, BT 4.1 protocols and long range BT antennas in order to obtain the desired transmission range. It may also be helpful to use other BT protocols, particularly a hybrid of BT protocols, such as the BT 4 and BT 5 protocols, as known to those of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with the teachings herein to practice the features of the present invention.

Other advantages of the present invention are the manner in which its subcomponents and programs utilize electromagnetic energy in a particular manner that does not interfere with the use of radio and electromagnetic waves by others at a live sporting event or other system. Thus, system 200 is very capable of operating in the vicinity of other systems without sending transmissions to unintended receivers. Also, the system 200 is extremely resistant to electromagnetic noise and interference that can cause erroneous or blocking signals. In addition, the system 200 may provide a level of signal encryption and better eliminate the risk of signal cancellation. To achieve these features, the present invention uses BT technology, i.e., a combination of BT 4 and BT 5, as will be known to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings herein. Furthermore, as previously described, because BT is a digital technology, the present invention may employ unique code written into the BT radio circuitry (referred to as a software on chip (SoC) architecture) of each tag signaling component 100. Thus, each BT radio circuit is designed to allow a central receiving component to identify and add multiple tag signaling components to the overall system without colliding with each other due to the unique electronic signature of each tag signaling component, thereby generating a unique tag signal for each tag signaling component. Furthermore, this may ensure that, for example, in the case where two ARs send signals to the referee at the same time, the signals are not cancelled and the process is appropriately handled electronically. The unique software code embedded in the BT radio circuit also provides a level of encryption for the system that would otherwise not be possible with an analog system for an existing handheld electronic device. Thus, the unique identification signal can be encrypted as it is transmitted between the identification signal transmitting component and the central receiving component to increase the security and uncompromised performance of the officials paging system. Further relevant to this security and consistent performance without giving or receiving interference is the signaling mode, so that the central receiving component basically only identifies the signage signaling components it is paired with, as long as these signage signaling components are paired with the central receiving component.

It goes without saying that the present invention also differs from the prior art in that it does not rely on a complex and well-designed analog radio transmission protocol. By using the BT technology taught herein, the referee paging system provides a significantly more economical product that performs as well as the prior art and is licensedMany aspects are better than prior art. BT technology is used for long distance signal transmission requiring fewer electronic components, which are smaller, lighter and cheaper than the prior art. BT radio transmission is primarily a digital transmission protocol and therefore does not require as strong signal conditioning and electronic power as analog transmission. Thus, each signpost signaling component of the present invention preferably consists essentially of the following electronic sub-components — a microprocessor 300 in communication with each of the following: a signal button 303, a vibration motor 302, an indicator light 304 (e.g., LED), a charging port 306 (e.g., for USB), a battery 307, an on/off switch 305, anda radio circuit 301. In a similar regard, and as a stand-alone feature or in combination with the sub-component features of the signpost signaling assembly 100, the central receiving assembly 200 preferably consists essentially of the following electronic sub-components — the microprocessor 400 communicates with each of: mode button 403, vibration motor 402, indicator light 404 (e.g., LED), charging port 406 (e.g., USB), battery 407, on/off switch 405, anda radio circuit 401. Even more preferably, each of the indicia signaling components of the officials paging system 10 consists essentially of the same type of electronic subassembly as the central receiving component.

Referring to fig. 9-11, exemplary operation of the referee paging system is depicted. Once the components 100 and 200 are assembled as taught herein, including appropriate software known to those of ordinary skill in the art in combination with the teachings to implement the desired features of the present invention, particularly the electronic signature to provide a unique identifying signal to each signaling component 100, the component 100 is added to the desired component 200 by "pairing" to form a referee paging system. The system may have 2, 3, or more sign signaling components, as desired by the officials and the AR. There are a variety of ways in which the assemblies 100 and 200 can be paired, and it will be known to those of ordinary skill in the art that the desired features of the invention can be achieved in conjunction with the teachings.

With particular reference to fig. 9, Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is used to pair the signpost signaling component and the central receiving component. This may occur using the following steps. Each flag signaling component is turned on at 500. The flag signaling component enters pairing mode 501. The central receiving component is turned on at 505. The central receiving component enters the pairing mode and waits for component 100 to be paired with component 200. By pressing the mode button 203 (fig. 4), the central receiving component enters the pairing mode and is indicated by the indicator light 204 (fig. 4). At 502, a first marker is placed on a central receiving component. That is, when in pairing mode 501, each component 100 is physically placed on a central receiving component, and the unique identification number of that particular component is sent to the central receiving component by NFC technology at 502. At 507, the central receiving component identifies a first marker. The central receiving component 200 is programmed to add the unique ID or electronic signature to a list of accepted devices to form a referee paging system. At 506, a first flag is added to the central receiving component. The first flag signaling component is paired at 503. The first flag enters a normal functional mode at 504. This process can be repeated for the add-on assembly 100 as desired. Then, a mode button on the central receiving component is pressed, indicating that all of the desired components 100 have been added at 508. The central receiving component enters a normal functional mode at 509. The exact process of pairing may vary depending on the BT technology employed, as will be known to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the incorporated teachings to achieve the desired features of the present invention.

Once the signaling mode is re-entered 504, 509, the central receiving component accepts only BT signals from devices in the "paired" device list and rejects all other signals. It should be noted that NFC cannot replace BT technology in a system. The communication range, speed and strength of the components of the present invention are far beyond the range of NFC capabilities. The present invention utilizes NFC technology only for the pairing process. Once the components are paired, they will communicate using BT technology.

NFC works within a wireless connection range of about 4 cm. However, the expected data transmitted from one device to another device in NFC is a short packet, and the transmission speed is relatively slow compared to BT technology. In most applications, the data sent by NFC is often small enough so that transmission speed is not an issue. Strings of numbers, letters and other small packets can be sent almost instantaneously by NFC. With this strength, the user is assured of the connection between the two devices through NFC, because within a short distance of 4cm, the two devices can make direct physical contact in a short time, and data can either be transferred as intended or not (in which case the user will immediately be aware of another problem). NFC contains little software and can operate with a small amount of energy provided by one or two devices.

Referring to fig. 10, the act of "pairing" the components of the present invention with BT technology may be used, although in general this is less preferred than NFC pairing. This may occur using the following steps. The flag signaling component is turned on at 600. The component 100 enters a pairing mode at 601. The central receiving component is turned on at 605. The central receiving component enters a pairing mode at 606 and waits for the components to pair. In this embodiment, the central receiving component 200 is programmed in such a way that it can be set to pairing mode at 606 and indicated by indicator light 204 (fig. 4). At 602, the component 100 is placed near a central receiving component. The component 100, which is considered (by the user) to be part of the system, is also set in pairing mode at 601 and placed near the central receiving component. At 607, the central receiving component identifies the tag signaling component. The central receiving component then "finds" the intended components 100 and adds their unique IDs (aka electronic signatures) to the list of "connected" devices. The component 100 is added to the system. The flag signaling components are paired 603. The component 100 enters a signaling mode at 604. The mode button 203 (fig. 4) on the central receiving component is pressed, indicating that all of the desired components 100 have been added at 608. The central receiving component enters a signaling mode at 609. Once all the prospective components 100 are connected at 603, the central receiving component will only receive BT signals from the components and will ignore signals from any other source. Leaving the pairing process to BT technology would only require this form of wireless communication, but has other drawbacks. However, this may reduce the sub-components required to assemble such a system, as the programming of the pairing process and the actual performance of the system will be contained in the same SoC. In addition to the components, it may also reduce the engineering required to program and assemble the system. Using the same wireless communication protocol will provide one manufacturing mobility that two different technologies will not provide when both BT technology and NFC are used in the same referee paging system.

For greater clarity, FIG. 11 is referenced as a step of operating the system when all components within the paired system are in a signaling mode. When any assistant officer presses the signal button (button 103, see fig. 1) at 703, the vibration motor 302 (fig. 7) within the handle 101 (fig. 1) is activated, providing tactile feedback to the user. The event also triggers transmission of a BT signal at 700 that is received by the central receiving component at 704. This activates the vibration motor 407 (fig. 8) in the central receiving assembly, alerting the officer to the performance. Conversely, when the signal button 103 is not pressed at 701, 702, then no signal or motor is activated.

Each document cited in this application, including any cross-referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any embodiment disclosed in this application or that it teaches, suggests or discloses any such embodiment alone or in any combination with any other reference or references. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this application conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this application shall govern.

The invention comprises the disclosed description, examples, embodiments and figures; but are not limited to such descriptions, examples, embodiments, or figures. As noted above, the reader should assume that features of one disclosed embodiment can also be applied to all other disclosed embodiments, unless explicitly stated to the contrary. Unless expressly stated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in this application are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by one of ordinary skill in the art using the teachings disclosed in this application without undue experimentation. Modifications and other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the packaging arts, and all such modifications and other embodiments are intended and considered to be within the scope of the present invention.