Correctable error fixed during halftime of Big East game

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

...the clock had stopped momentarily with about four seconds remaining.

How many times is the clock going to accidentally stop near the end of a game or a half? Not sure what is up with this... I don't remember this problem in years past.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Brad

How many times is the clock going to accidentally stop near the end of a game or a half? Not sure what is up with this... I don't remember this problem in years past.

And it only seems to be happening at home games, too.










Somewhere, fanboys are reading this and shaking their heads, going "yup, yup, yup, it's true".

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Brad

How many times is the clock going to accidentally stop near the end of a game or a half? Not sure what is up with this... I don't remember this problem in years past.

I agree that this is occurring far too frequently. The NCAA should take a look into this matter.

It really seems that the Precision Timing is the issue, but it could be something else such as a programming bug in the clock system itself.

I wonder if the microphones on the officials are reacting to something that they shouldn't be (heavy breathing/crowd noise), the officials are absent mindedly or as a nervous tick clicking the switch, or perhaps the wireless transmission system is getting interference from other devices (cell phones, TV/radio transmission) in the arena.

[socalreff]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

I agree that this is occurring far too frequently. The NCAA should take a look into this matter.

It really seems that the Precision Timing is the issue, but it could be something else such as a programming bug in the clock system itself.

I wonder if the microphones on the officials are reacting to something that they shouldn't be (heavy breathing/crowd noise), the officials are absent mindedly or as a nervous tick clicking the switch, or perhaps the wireless transmission system is getting interference from other devices (cell phones, TV/radio transmission) in the arena.

The device can react to heavy breathing and also to the official's voice. I know there have been times when I have said oooo or oh in response to a play. The manufacturer issued instructions to have all officials take the whistle out when talking to players.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by socalreff

The device can react to heavy breathing and also to the official's voice. I know there have been times when I have said oooo or oh in response to a play. The manufacturer issued instructions to have all officials take the whistle out when talking to players.

Thanks for confirming one of the possibilities, but I don't see how removing the whistle from one's mouth would prevent a problem.

If my understanding of the device is correct, the microphone attaches either to the collar of the official's shirt or to the lanyard. So moving the whistle 2-3 inches while talking wouldn't seem to move the microphone very much if at all.

Perhaps you could further help me out here.

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Thanks for confirming one of the possibilities, but I don't see how removing the whistle from one's mouth would prevent a problem.

If my understanding of the device is correct, the microphone attaches either to the collar of the official's shirt or to the lanyard. So moving the whistle 2-3 inches while talking wouldn't seem to move the microphone very much if at all.

Perhaps you could further help me out here.

I've never used PTS, but I've been told by those who have (while discussing this very topic) that the microphone specifically picks up the sound of air moving through the Fox 40 whistle - not just any sound. So, if you talk with the whistle in your mouth, while it may not blow out loud, the small amount of air moving through the whistle may be enough at that specific frequency or pitch or whatever it is that is special about the whistle to trigger the microphone. Taking the whistle out of the mouth eliminates this problem. The actual positioning of the microphone is secondary.

[socalreff]

Thanks JDW for saying it more eloquently. Also, that's why it is that much more important to be in shape.....less heavy breathing.

[blindzebra]

Seems to me they need to dial-down the sensitivity.

I'll bet the company has a kit schools can buy to fix the issue.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by jdw3018

I've never used PTS, but I've been told by those who have (while discussing this very topic) that the microphone specifically picks up the sound of air moving through the Fox 40 whistle - not just any sound. So, if you talk with the whistle in your mouth, while it may not blow out loud, the small amount of air moving through the whistle may be enough at that specific frequency or pitch or whatever it is that is special about the whistle to trigger the microphone. Taking the whistle out of the mouth eliminates this problem. The actual positioning of the microphone is secondary.

That's as reasonable an explanation as I could have hoped to hear.

I understand physics at a fairly high level, and what it seems that you are saying is that the sensor is set to detect a certain range of sound wave frequency, which is really nothing more than some air getting pushed around as it exits the whistle's chambers.

So if that is the case, we have wonder what else is in that frequency range which could be interfering.

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

I understand physics at a fairly high level, and what it seems that you are saying is that the sensor is set to detect a certain range of sound wave frequency, which is really nothing more than some air getting pushed around as it exits the whistle's chambers.

That's exactly the way I understand it.

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

So if that is the case, we have wonder what else is in that frequency range which could be interfering.

Yes, or how many of the officials choose the last minute of the game to breathe too heavily.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

That's as reasonable an explanation as I could have hoped to hear.

I understand physics at a fairly high level, and what it seems that you are saying is that the sensor is set to detect a certain range of sound wave frequency, which is really nothing more than some air getting pushed around as it exits the whistle's chambers.

So if that is the case, we have wonder what else is in that frequency range which could be interfering.

AFAIK, the PTS not only detects one frequency but all three frequencies coming out of the whistle. Not only does it detect their presence but it reacts to a sudden increase in their level. So, noise around the arena shouldn't both contain substantial amounts of the three frequencies of the Fox40 and suddenly increase in intensity at the same time.

My guess, as and Engineer, is that it is not the sound that is being mis-detected but a malfunction somewhere else in the system.

Also, given that PTS only stops the clock on the whistle, what makes it start back????

Could it be that switches in the belt packs, which have buttons to start/stop the clock, are starting to fail after a few years of use....from years of vibrations from running up/down the floor and getting tossed around after the game.

It could also be radio interference....but it short pauses would not be likely.

My best guess would be that the clock operator is resting his finger on the button ready press it and, accidentally or deliberately, slightly presses the button such that it both stops then re-starts the clock. It does seem to have only happened when the clock operator's team has the ball in the closing seconds of a close game where the home team was trying to tie/win the game on a last second shot.