Title: Scorekeeping device for tennis and similar games

Do you think this is a good invention? Vote now:

Votes so far: For:(0) Against:(0)
Claims: We claim the following:

1. A device for calculating, storing and displaying the scores for tennis and similarly-scored games, comprising:

data entry means,

one bidirectional counter for each player for storing score results, wherein said bidirectional counter is responsive to said data entry means and to encoder means, and wherein said bidirectional counter counts in one direction for normal scoring situations, and counts in the opposite direction for special scoring situations and for returning to the immediately prior value of said score results,

encoder means responsive to said bidirectional counter and to said data entry means for providing command data to determine subsequent contents of said bidirectional counter, wherein said encoder means recognizes a condition in which a special scoring mode must be invoked, and

indicator means responsive to said bidirectional counter, for indicating said score results.

2. The scorekeeping device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said encoder means includes means responsive to said data entry means for causing said score results to be restored to their immediately prior values.

3. The scorekeeping device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said indicator means comprises:

display encoder means and

seven-segment display means responsive to outputs from said display encoder means.

4. The scorekeeping device as set forth in claim 1 including set register means responsive to said game register means and to said data entry means for tallying the scores of games won.

5. The scorekeeping device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said set display means includes flasher means responsive to said set register means for indicating the winning of a new game.

6. The scorekeeping device as set forth in claim 4, including court change indicator means responsive to said set register means for indicating a condition dependent upon the number of games played.

7. The scorekeeping device as set forth in claim 1, including timing means and time limit indicator means.

8. The scorekeeping device as set forth in claim 1, in combination with clock means for calculating time of day, and indicator means responsive to said clock means for indicating time of day.

9. A device for calculating, storing and displaying the scores of tennis and similarly-scored games, comprising:

data entry means,

game register means for storing score results, said game register means comprising one bidirectional counter for each player, said bidirectional counter having a capacity equal to a maximum attainable score, and said bidirectional counter being responsive to said data entry means and to encoder means,

encoder means responsive to said game register means and to said data entry means for providing command data to determine subsequent contents of said game register means, wherein said encoder means recognizes a condition in which a special scoring situation must be invoked, and wherein said encoder means comprises non-volatile memory means, and

indicator means responsive to said game register means for indicating said score results.

10. A device for calculating, storing and displaying the scores of tennis and similarly-scored games, comprising:

data entry means,

game register means for storing score results, said game register means comprising one bidirectional counter for each player, said bidirectional counter having a capacity equal to a maximum attainable score, said bidirectional counter being responsive to said data entry means and to encoder means, and wherein said bidirectional counter comprises:

logic gate means responsive to the output of said bidirectional counter and to said data entry means for deriving counter command signals, and J-K bistable latch means responsive to said counter command signals for incrementing or decrementing a binary count, encoder means responsive to said game register means and to said

data entry means for providing command data to determine subsequent contents of said game register means, wherein said encoder means recognizes a condition in which a special scoring situation must be invoked, and

indicator means responsive to said game register means for indicating said score results.
Other info:

Inventors: Zevgolis, Victoria H. (Hopewell, VA, US)
Kitchen, Harry E. (Gaithersburg, MD, US)

Application Number: 915463
Filing Date: 1978-06-14
Publication_date: 1980-12-02
Assignee: Sportsonic, Inc. (Alexandria, VA)
Primary Class(es): 377/5 340/323R
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

4097855	Jun, 1978	Salvo	235/92.
4119838	Oct, 1978	Genuit	235/92.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Thesz, Joseph M.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Kitchen; Harry E.