Based on its extensive experience integrating and working with various scoreboard controllers, slomo.tv has developed Control-MC, a multi-functional timing and event registration system.
The main idea was to increase the usefulness and functionality of the device, as well as to simplify its operation and make it more responsive to different scoreboard controller data (SCD) needs of various sports.
The multi-functional Control-MC timing and event registration system stands out for its accuracy, reliability and important additional features that are not available in other solutions. The Control-MC supports a variety of sports, including ice hockey, basketball, water polo and handball.
The heart of the solution, the Control-MC scoreboard controller itself, combines a specialized hardware device responsible for timing and transferring data to all SCD users, with an interface that enables easy and convenient data entry and correction, configuration, start-up and stoppage of the system.
The new Control-MC device in the size of a compact referee control panel has:
- 22 large tactile RGB broadcast push-buttons with functional contextual backlighting
- 7" color TFT touchscreen interface for displaying game information and working with non-operational menus
- Multiple interfaces for connecting to the infrastructure
- Built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery for up to 6.5 hours of continuous operation
Flexible connectivity
The Control-MC is equipped with multiple ports for connecting to consumers of SCD, as well as numerous external devices.
There are three serial interfaces RS-422/232/485 on the rear panel of the system, supporting various data protocols. The system is flexible: each interface can be assigned a different physical interface and scoreboard controller data protocol. The scoreboard controller data can be connected to various consumers, such as arena scoreboards, VAR systems, time-boards in dressing rooms, venue information graphics systems or TV graphics systems.
On the rear panel there are also three Smart I/O connectors for remote controls and various external devices. This can range from simple LED buttons (up to 2 buttons per connector) with "start", "stop", "24 seconds" and other functions, to slomo.tv devices that connect via serial protocol and include various multi-button specialized interfaces.
There are also two Ethernet connectors for transferring SCD to devices that do not require high accuracy and data synchronization, and for connecting various control or information devices via HTTP / WebSocket protocol. Users can connect their own devices (phones, tablets) with configured information management applications.
In addition, Control-MC has an integrated interface for a wireless mouse or keyboard and a software-controlled USB interface.
More than a scoreboard controller – unique features and options of Control-MC
The Control-MC offers the innovative wireless Smart Whistle function: the time on the scoreboard controller starts and stops by the referee's whistle.
Up to 3 whistles can be connected. The system logs whose whistle is used to stop/start time. This function is seamlessly integrated and does not require the connection of external devices.
For TV broadcasters who produce on-air graphics from a broadcasting center there is a SCDO option. The option includes two additional multifunctional devices. The device on the arena has an SDI input and, using the proprietary slomo.tv technology, embeds scoreboard controller data into the video signal sent to the broadcaster via any communication channel. Several embedding methods can be used: watermark, AUX Data and audio. The response device installed in the TV center retrieves the data. When the SCDO is connected via USB to the graphics system, the broadcaster gets a time reference for each frame and the ability to overlay the graphics with maximum accuracy.
Another useful function of the SCDO is to monitor and diagnose the flow of data coming from the scoreboard controller (SCDD). It helps to set up and adjust the systems in large arenas. This option can also serve as a scoreboard controller test data generator. By selecting the interface and protocol, the user can connect to the existing infrastructure in the arena to test its functionality.
Unlike other solutions on the market, Control-MC has a dedicated controller board for time calculation and SCD transfer. The entire interface is provided by an external device based on a 4-core ARM CPU. This ensures that the time is always accurate and its calculation does not depend on the functioning of the main interface.
In order to cover a wide range of possible needs, an additional Smart box device has been developed for the Control-MC. The device connects to the Control-MC via standard Ethernet/IP and displays the selected game information on a standard HDMI™ display, enabling an information board to be organized in any place of the arena in accordance with league and federation regulations.
