Why make wireless game show buzzers?

While there are many kinds of game show buzzers in use on TV, the price and obtainability for the average person is simply lacking. As far as consumer alternatives go they are usually too simplistic or require interfacing with a computer via USB. There are simple buzzer systems on the market that provide either simple audio or visual cues to determine who buzzed in first but these are hardly complete game show systems[2]. These simple systems also rely on the host to determine buzzing order, a process full of errors. On the other side there exist several comprehensive buzzer systems that also include features like a lockout and wireless functionality, but these can be pricey and don’t have features like scoring available[1][3][9][10]. Some systems have scoring but they require that the host has a computer running proprietary software hooked up to the system in order to keep score[5][6][7][8]. This is simply undesirable for anyone who wants a quick simple standalone system. Wireless systems with scoring and lockout do exist but their prices are simply sky-high for the average consumer [4].

Logical and Mathematical Structure

In a traditional game show situation there are multiple players with a single host.  This meant that to emulate and provide a game show type interface we would have to create multiple devices. One device would not fulfill our desires to be portable.  Once the conclusion of multiple devices was reached there was another consideration.  The roles of the players and the hosts are substantially different and therefore we design an asymmetrical system of devices with two separate device modules.  One module would be the player’s module and would have several copies of itself to facilitate many players.  The other module would be the host’s module and would exist singularly in any given system.  From the host module you would be able to control the entire game and the player modules would simply act as an extension of the host.  To the host module, the player modules are simply peripherals who only handle certain amounts of user input and output.

The leads us to what exactly we want to input and output.  The host module should receive input from the host as to what an individual player must add or subtract from their points.  A host must also be able to clear buzz-ins from players.  The player module must display their current score and whether they have buzzed in or not.  The score will be displayed on seven segment leds and the buzz in will be displayed on multiple colored leds.  The player will also have a button to act as the buzzer to call in when they want to answer.  In addition to the above both modules will utilize a power switch to source power from 3 AA batteries.

Communication between modules would be all handled by the host and done over Bluetooth communication.  The Bluetooth protocol used was Bluetooth 4.0 a.k.a. Bluetooth Low Energy. Bluetooth 4.0 LE is designed for very low power consumption and to transmit only quick short bits of data.  This not only seemed ideal but also was an opportunity to utilize the latest technology on the market into our system.

Intellectual Property Considerations

The big consideration is the use of Bluetooth technology which is regulated by The Bluetooth Special Interest Group.  The use of Bluetooth, while royalty free, would require adhering to certain policies and rules laid out by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group.  Also Bluetooth as it relates to IEEE is IEEE protocol 802.15.1.

As far as patents go there exist several that deal indirectly with our design, but none that directly infringe upon it.  The design that comes closest would be patent US 7867088 B2,  Interactive game system using game data encoded within a video signal.  This patent uses an undocumented Wireless RF control for buzzers to communicate with a host module which works in conjunction with a DVD player to display active player scoring as well questions on a TV screen.  Another patent does not involve a game show directly but rather using embedded systems and Bluetooth in conjunction.  It is CN 102882954 A, Interactive system and method based on embedded Bluetooth technology.  The relevant part of the claims are 6 and 10, where using a terminal that searches for embedded Bluetooth systems is specifically mentioned. We believe that the patent seems to mean an actual computer terminal searching and hooking up to embedded Bluetooth devices and since that we are only connecting embedded devices to other embedded devices, we are in the clear.  As far as copyright goes several of the previously cited buzzers have claims to copyright but none are identical enough to be a worry.

Citations

1. “EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS WIRELESS EGGSPERT 2.4GHz.” Amazon.com: : Office Products. Amazon.com, Inc., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
2. “Lights & Sounds Buzzers , Set of 4.” Learning Resources. Learning Resources, n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
3. “Me First V.2 Wireless Game Buzzers – Small Group 4-user Set.” Trainers Warehouse. Office Images, Inc., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
4. “Other DigiGames Game Show Buzzer Models.” DigiGames. DigiGames, Inc., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
5. “Professional Quality Lock-out Buzzer Systems …truly Affordable Prices.” Affordable Buzzers Game Show and Quiz Game Lock-out Buzzers and Buzzer Systems for Classrooms and Professional Trainers. Winking Fox Productions, LLC, n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
6. “Slammers (wireless Quiz Buzzers).” BuzzGold.com. Buzzgold Systems Ltd, n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
7. “Super-Sound Answer Buzzers (set of 4) – 4 Different FUN Sounds.” Trainers Warehouse. Office Images, Inc., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
8. “TM 120 Mobile Game Show Trivia System.” DigiGames. DigiGames, Inc., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
9. “Who’s First? Wireless Game Buzzer System W/ Light Tower & USB Port & Randomizer.” Trainers Warehouse. Office Images, Inc., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
10. “Wireless Buzzer – Trivia Cubes – No Computer Required – Remote Controlled.” DigiGames. DigiGames, Inc., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.