During the NBA season I have the pleasure of working part-time at the United Center with the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks. Fortunately Chicago has become the sports epicenter of the world over the past few months with both the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs with both Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox baseball teams toward the tops of their respective divisions.
So last night during the Blackhawks playoff game 5, I was asked to help out with a technical issue we were having at the previous Bulls game with the precision timing system. The NBA employs this system for synchronization between stoppage of play and the official game clocks. I learned that the NBA referees have special whistles that when blown automatically sends a signal to a control box that stops the clock and syncs itself up with the NBA official timing and scoring systems. This of course can’t be done without some great tech invented by Michael J. Costabile, President of Precision Time Systems, Inc..
The system he invented is the Precision Time System where a small computer that is connected to the arena or stadium game clock, that allows the on court or on field officials to start or stop the game clock. This is done at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second). The officials whistle stops the clock, and the switch on a belt pack starts the clock. If a system like this is not available the official blows the whistle, the clock operator then pushes a button to stop the clock. Also if the game clock operator can not see the game official signal to start the game clock it does not get started at the proper time. This would be too late and shouldn’t occur.
This piece of important technology for the NBA helps create accurate reporting for historical data retrieval. Precision Time Systems also has systems incorporated with many other NBA teams, NCAA conferences and the Olympics. Check out Michael’s latest creations and more about his company at precisiontime.com.
