The project EMS (electronic match sheet) is planned to provide the basis for the electronic transmission of match results and events over the internet. The EMS file is based on a XML format, which includes all information on paper match sheets. EMS is an open format and can be used by every software vendor or website provider.

How does it work?

A league website can provide an EMS file containing all information needed prior to a match (match, date, teams, players, officials, …). An example EMS import file can be found here: import.ems

This file can be imported in Waterpolo Timing. Prior to the match the information can be changed and/or lineups completed. During the match evey event will be added to the file and after the match the EMS file can be exported from Waterpolo Timing and send back to the league website. An example EMS export file can be found here: export.ems

The provider of the league website can automatically parse the incoming EMS file and display all or parts of the information provided.

Technical background

The advantage of a XML format is, that it’s a human readable format and can be interpreted easily and without much effort with all well-established programming languages.

To ensure that providers and users of an EMS file are able to read and write the fromat, there is a XSD schema which describes the expected structure of the XML file. The current version of the XSD schema can be found here:

• EMS XSD Format (V0.1)

Basic sructure (click to enlarge):

Detail view results
Detail view officials
Detail view teams/players
Detail view match sheet

The purpose of the “Java Electronic Scoreboard Connector” is to provide an adapter for scoreboards of various manufacturers (like Omega Timing, Molten, Stramatel, Waterfly, Daktronics, …) that enable Java applications to trigger these scoreboards. The project is set up as an Open-Source project, to give developers and users the possibility to use the connector exempt from charge.

This will give Waterpolo Timing the possibilty to add connection support for electronic scoreboards in the future.

This is why this part of the software will be implemented as an Open-Source project. Any developer with Java know-how can join the project and assist in developing the scoreboard connector.

You can find the project website at
http://sourceforge.net/projects/jesc