Scoring machine using an LCD monitor

[Joe biebel]

The thread about "software scoring machine" made me think of this. Having just purchased a couple of 19" LCD monitors the other day for $99.00 each, it occured to me, that a fencing machine could be made without lights, etc, that used a computer monitor for all feedback of lights sound, time, score, priority, etc.

Each weapon and type of bout (5 touch, ten touch, 15 touch, team) could have an appropriate "screen" that included all the necessary information.

The fencing computer cost could be cut substantially and the size and quality of your display could vary with how much you wanted to spend on your monitor. A fencing computer that had a variety of tones and variable volume and brightness would be great at tournamnets or in a club setting.

[fencerbill]

The thread about "software scoring machine" made me think of this. Having just purchased a couple of 19" LCD monitors the other day for $99.00 each, it occured to me, that a fencing machine could be made without lights, etc, that used a computer monitor for all feedback of lights sound, time, score, priority, etc.

Each weapon and type of bout (5 touch, ten touch, 15 touch, team) could have an appropriate "screen" that included all the necessary information.

The fencing computer cost could be cut substantially and the size and quality of your display could vary with how much you wanted to spend on your monitor. A fencing computer that had a variety of tones and variable volume and brightness would be great at tournamnets or in a club setting.

You have a problem with understanding the display when you are at the end of the strip. But it might be useful for Club setups with indicators at both ends of the strip. We are upgrading from a 2000 computer and there is nothing wrong with it. Second hand computers are probably really cheap.

[brtech]

Sure. That's what the "Software Scoring Machine" is all about.

Consider though:
1. The angle of view of an LCD is poor. Put your monitor on a table in the middle and walk down to the end of the strip and tell us what you see

2. An LCD is typically not all that bright. Put your monitor in a normal tournament environment, and it will be hard to see. Much harder than any current machine.

3. The cable that joins the LCD to the computer, for current generation LCDs is the same as a regular CRT monitor, and is big, bulky and not all that rugged.

4. You need the computer. One computer, one monitor, unless you use a fancy, and expensive board designed to drive more than one monitor. Extension LCDs = hard and/or expensive

[Sboard1019]

Extension LCD would not be that hard or expense, I currently Use a Y splitter for two of my monitors. Mind you they can only display exactly the same thing, but i don't think this is a problem for what fencers would be doing. Use 2 Y's and you can put an LCD in the middle, and at either end of the strip.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

OLPC has some interesting technology for their LCDs for their XO laptops.....

http://laptop.org/

(I'm trying to decide if I want to buy one.... And I'm thinking "yes")

[Joe biebel]

I tried putting the .pdf file I attached to the original post up on a computer (LCD) screen and looked at it from a distance (6-8 feet from the edge of the strip, approximately 15-17 feet from the screen) and walked back and forth20+ feet with no significant difference in "viewability". After 20' from center there is noticable reduction but the scoring lights are still quite visible. The sheer size of the information diplayed is a big plus as well.

If the system can be built for a monitor, why not a video projector for finals, etc. in a big tournament. Once the software is written and the box is built, scalability of the dispaly is then up to your budget. Anyone have an idea what a big display system by PAUL, etc. might cost for an FIE World championships, etc.? I'll bet you could buy several decent video projectors for the cost of one of those setups.

[fencerbill]

Implementation of a practical remote?

And maybe we could snoop the slow motion replay?

[brtech]

How about this:
http://www.usbuirt.com/overview.htm

and a remote control with a beefy IR transmitter?

[Joe biebel]

Video replay, robust remote, now we're talking...but let's keep it under $30.00

[Jvanhousen]

it occured to me, that a fencing machine could be made without lights, etc, that used a computer monitor for all feedback of lights sound, time, score, priority, etc.

I fenced foil Tuesday on Toms laptop machine and was really impressed. Although on that particular night he didn't have the bluetooth voice activation going, your mind immediately starts playing what-ifs for future features. Toms screen already displays lights, time, score, along with debounce time for hits. I don't think the angle of the screen from a fencers POV was much of a viewing handicap as I originally feared, (in fact, I think I'd be a better fencer if I couldn't even see the thing!); I didn't ref w/ it.
Getting back to the what-ifs:
Networking all strips in a tourney to display results in real time on an overhead. While pools are in progress, the DE table could be displayed and updated w/ each hit recorded, maybe updated every 10 seconds or so, until pools are completed, just for fun. Stat freaks could have a ball, and the next round would be ready to print just about instantly.
As far as LCD screen viewing angle problems, if you're investing into the whole computer based machine, why not just have it also trigger cheap, large (LCD lamp?) extension lights, and add repeaters above the end of each strip for the fencers in a club situation. I imagine it wouldn't be that difficult or expensive to bluetooth them too.

[veeco]

OLPC has some interesting technology for their LCDs for their XO laptops.....

http://laptop.org/

(I'm trying to decide if I want to buy one.... And I'm thinking "yes")

Eh, I bought two.

[jjefferies]

The thread about "software scoring machine" made me think of this. Having just purchased a couple of 19" LCD monitors the other day for $99.00 each,....

Uh, Joe, buddy, where did you get the monitors? Were they new or just fallen off the truck?

[Joe biebel]

Uh, Joe, buddy, where did you get the monitors? Were they new or just fallen off the truck?

They were one of those "Black Friday" specials at Office Depot. I did not need monitors at the time but could not help myself. This was a much smarter buy than the "surplus" army tank I bought a few years back. There are so few places you can play with them.

[KD5MDK]

What model tank?

Don't forget the cost of replacing the LCD when it gets hit with a tip, or protecting it.

[Joe biebel]

What model tank?

Don't forget the cost of replacing the LCD when it gets hit with a tip, or protecting it.

Sorry, I don't really have a tank, but as far as protecting the monitors, I would use the really heavy clear vinyl strips that they make for fork truck doors that keep in the heat or cool of air conditioning in plants. I bought some of it for prototypes when I started to make clear bell pads. It didn't work well for pads, but I used it as a shield for my scoring machines, as they can be reached with weapons. Even after several hits, no damage to the machines or even a vivsible mark on the vinyl.

[KD5MDK]

I think I'd go with clear lexan/plexiglass myself. After all, if it can protect your eyes, it's got to be good enoguh for electronics, right? Also, LCDs are probably more vulnerable to forces transmitted through the vinyl than a scoring machine is.

[oiuyt]

The junior world cup in Dormagen, Germany uses computers attached to regular scoring machines. The monitor displays the current score, time, names of the fencers, pictures (for fencers in their database), and possibly the name of the official. The computers were connected (wired) to the DT. Touches were sent to the DT every time the clock was started and the result was sent as soon as the official clicked a button to confirm that the bout was over and the score on the monitor was correct.

They also had display monitors tracking the course of the tournament, displaying the (updated) tableau, etc.

The monitors are built into a display base for the scoring machine and extension lights. The base is made of metal and the monitor is inset an inch or so. I heard several *clank*s as sabre clipped the bases, but nothing that indicated any of the monitors being hit.

-B

[Joe biebel]

I think I'd go with clear lexan/plexiglass myself. After all, if it can protect your eyes, it's got to be good enoguh for electronics, right? Also, LCDs are probably more vulnerable to forces transmitted through the vinyl than a scoring machine is.

True, true, but hung as a curtain, a few inches from the front of the monitor or machine, nothing is going to hit it. Our units are wall hung, not on a table, 1 foot from the strip at waist height. Under certain conditions, I would want the monitor to be inside a "hard" box for protection. I would not use a monitor system in certain venues. I think we've all seen scoring machines smashed into or made into projectiles.

[KD5MDK]

I hadn't considered the curtain arrangement. I'm sure that would work fine.

[LordShout]

Hmm, although the cost in cards and coding might outweigh it you could potentially wire up an entire tournament off one computer run as a mainframe with dumb terminals on each of the strips, its not like it takes much processing power for what you need. Cat 5 to the strips?