Basque Enterprise Europe Network

Title

Technical hardware, software and/or commercial agency partners sought for the development of an electronic mini tablet and mobile phone docking station for sports referees, to replace the traditional red and yellow cards, pen, and notebook method.

Reference

TRUK20210519001

Last update

Fri, May, 28, 2021

Deadline

Sat, May, 28, 2022

Abstract

A UK-based SME is developing an innovative electronic mini device designed for football and sports referees. This innovation is at early prototype stage and is aiming to replace the traditional red/yellow cards and notebook method used in matches, requiring a referee. A technical cooperation agreement is sought for further development of the prototypes including its design, hardware and software. The SME is also seeking partners for routes to market and sales, via a commercial agreement.

Description

A UK-based start-up with the owners having over 20 years of business experience, has embarked on an evolutionary first-time emerged field of an electronic mini tablet for football referees.

This product will be designed to imitate the red and yellow cards in an electronic device form.

The size will be as such that it can be carried comfortably in the referees pocket during a game. When the need arises, the referee can press the colour tab located at the bottom of the screen and the device will change to the chosen colour which will be profoundly visible for everyone to see. The touch screen will be activated displaying the team players name and number. Choosing the player on the screen shows a drop down menu to allow selection of the code of misconduct. If additional notes are required, a voice record tab can be selected and used, and also stylus handwriting input or onscreen keyboard options will be available. On pressing enter, this information including the time, date, location, and referee name will be stored on the memory.

The first phase of the electronic device will be a redesigned mini tablet with dual screens (front and rear), with an array of LED lights around the edges and equipped with a complete Android or IOS Apple operating system. The front screen will be a multi-functional touch screen and the back screen non-functional for colour display purposes only.

The second phase will be a case/docking station for a mobile phone or mini tablet. Which will be equipped with a non-functional screen and an array of LED lighting. The product will be distinct in that they are small and fully programmable. The software will be customised by the end user for their unique, individual applications - for example, automatic updates or manually entering their own home, away teams, location, and officials for any game/event. With their yearly subscription all required updates such as, team sheets, line-ups etc, will be available on the device at the required time.

The SME's aim is to have the software developed with many syncing software capabilities including but not limited to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

In addition to this they would like to take the software to the next stage by communicating, analysing information, and being integrated with the modern goal line technology (GLT), the newly introduced virtual assistant referee (VAR) and whole game systems (WGS) report software used for the post-game match report.

Their primary target market is football/soccer referees, but are also also open to others such as, athletics, badminton, equestrian sports, field hockey, race-walking, rugby, volleyball and many more.

The SME is now seeking technical partners via a technology cooperation agreement, who can assist with the design and development of their hardware as specified in the phases outlined above, and software partners who can help with the desired functions and outputs described. Companies that can help with routes to market and sales once the prototype is developed are also sought via a commercial agreement with technical assistance.

Technology Keywords

Computer Software;Data Processing / Data Interchange, Middleware;Information Technology/Informatics;Internet Technologies/Communication (Wireless, Bluetooth);User Interfaces, Usability

Keyword Codes:

01003006;01003008;01003013;01003014;01003018

Current Stage of Development

Intellectual Property Rights

Patent(s) applied for but not yet granted

IPR Comments:

The patent was applied for in August 2020 and is pending (UK and EU).

Exploitation of RTD Results

Organisation/Company Type

Organisation/Company Size

Organisation Comments

They are seeking co-operation with companies who can help them with the design and functionality of the hardware, and software specifications prerequisites below; Phase 1: 5” tablet 130.4 x 68.1 x 8mm Weight 152g Dual Screen – front screen functional/touch screen, back screen just for display of desired colour, with LED edge lighting. Software development Language compatibility Data over Wi-Fi Data over Bluetooth Min hard drive 8Gb Built in camera Android OS and Apple iOS compatible Water resistant Shock/shatter proof Keyboard, clock, voice recorder, camera, stopwatch Phase 2: Mobile phone case/docking station with an inbuilt screen. LED edge lighting for display purposes only. That will communicate with the paired mobile phone using bluetooth, alongside the software app on the phone. It also needs to be programmed so it is compatible to transfer data to whole game systems (WGS) reports, but also sync and compliment goal line technology (GLT), and the virtual assistant referee (VAR). A monthly/yearly subscription will also be needed to be added to the software application.

Detailed Market Application Codes (VEIC)

MA Keyword

Systems software;Database and file management;Applications software;Sporting goods, hobby equipment and athletics clothes;Other leisure and recreational products and services

MA Keyword Codes:

02007001;02007002;02007007;07001004;07001007

Application Domain Description:

Collaboration Type

Comments:

Type:
Hardware and software organisations
R&D institutions
Universities
SMEs <500

Request:
To complete the design and development of the hardware/software prototype (phase 1 and for phase 2 below), so that they can manufacture and take the product to market, this is envisaged via a technical cooperation and/or commercial agreement with technical assistance.

Roles:
The software development should be undertaken on the operating systems Android and iOS. For this, the company does not need any knowledge about the sports sector/market. Together, as partners, the SME would like to roll out this project globally in several phases.

Phase 1-
The electronic device will be a redesigned mini tablet with dual screens (front and rear), with an array of LED lights around the edges and equipped with a complete Android or IOS Apple operating system. The front screen will be a multifunctional touch screen and the back screen non-functional for colour display purposes only.

Phase 2-
Development of case/docking station for a mobile phone or mini tablet. Which will be equipped with a non-functional screen and an array of LED lighting.

Adapted to be compatible with the modern goal line technology (GLT), the newly introduced virtual assistant referee (VAR) and whole game systems (WGS) report software used for post-game match reports.

The UK company will take full responsibility for the marketing, and sales.

The partner technology provider is responsible for the technical requirements and specifications, with ownership of all IP residing with the UK company.

Marketing rights as a technology partner will be agreed subject to negotiation. The selected partner/s will be informed of all technical and business opportunities for each phase.

A long-term partnership is envisaged.

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