Wireless scoring?

[npkeith]

We are all fencers, and (obviously) computer users. Can anyone tell me why we aren't using 802.11x boxes on the back of our uniforms to send touch information to a laptop (or PDA for that matter)? With a bandwidth of 100mps, surely a decent amount of data can be transferred in 250 milliseconds. I could even see lames set up with the wires in a grid, so that you could even see on a computer screen exactly where the touch occured. With 128 bit encryption, it would be pretty difficult to hack the system. I think you could even do it without having to change the weapons.

Last time I mentioned this to my fencing coach, I got a tirade about taxi radios scoring touches at some meet in europe. I think that was pre-digital, and that my concept is still valid. I find it hard to believe that I'm the first person to think of this, but if I am, I'm claiming intellectual property rights here and now.

OK Lads, fire at will...

Slapping helmet on and diving for foxhole....

[retardedspleen]

there was a thread about this a while ago. Ive herd they're having problems with one of the weapons, i think it was foil, or perhaps epee.


As for the grid, theres a problem with this, if this is done, everybody will have to buy new equipment, also think about this if we have these little machines that strap onto our back, whats keeping people from stealing these (and beleave me they are gunna be ****ing expsensive as hell!!) ?
and 128 encryption isnt a big deal i dont think. copying the signal sent one way or the other would also not be hard. you'd either have to make each machine have its own uniqe signal, or make them very very short range so that signals arnt being messed up between other machines.

Like i said, this was talked about quite a bit before. if i were you, Id do a search on it, and see if you cant find the topic. it was pretty good.

Can it be done? Yes
Will it be done? yes, im 99% sure of that
within the next 5 years? naaa next ten years? prolly
will people wanna switch to it? sure...if it dosnt cost them more than 100 dollars, and im pretty sure it will be a larg cost.


Chris Triplett

[DHCJr]

Let us put aside that the FIE rules say you can't use radio waves. Let me give a few problems.

What frequency. What would be available in Europe, might not be available here. For one of the World Cups some US team cadre brought some of these "Family walki-talki", the very low powereed kind, to try and keep everyone together. That went fine until the police told them to get off, they were on the local police channel.

Someone already mentioned encription. Do you pass around 2 continuously and hope they pass them to the right person, they don't get lost, the batteries don't run down. Or do you have 4, with two for on deck, with some of the same problems. With a major tournament of maybe 40 strips, the number of combinations and make sure which goes with which.

Those who have been around a while and remember the sabre sensors. How many were lost at the end of each day at $35 - $50 a piece.

There are still lots of problems, still to be solved. They say if you have enough money you can solve anything. Anyone with the money.

[135711]

Unmasked!

Considering that fencers have been buying new equipment through our vendors who seem to be at war with one another it probably won't matter if we buy new stuff again. But if it's just another cheesy way for a vendor to make more money off kids then........ grrrrr