VSM Overview:

The Virtual Scoring Machine project was something I first began to consider after the rule changes for foil were introduced in 2005. I was rather stunned and surprised when the FIE decided that all existing scoring machines must be updated to a new set of rules. This required that the newer machines be returned to their manufacturers and updated or at least have their internal program chips returned to be reprogrammed. And any older non-updateable machines would just no longer be usable in sanctioned tournaments.

At that time, I thought how much easier it was in the world of computers and software to just download a new program from home and be done with it. This led me to wonder if it could be possible to build a small, relatively simple and inexpensive electrical interface of some kind to communicate fencing events to a computer and then let the computer program do most of the work of emulating a scoring machine.

So I built one. It was a hobby project based on a converted gamepad, and it had some limitations, but eventually it was quite successful. In fact, I had enough success and encouragement from it that I became convinced that the Virtual Scoring Machine idea would be the future of the sport; so I committed to refining the idea into a commercial-grade product. The result is now VSM 2.0.

Features:

Today, with VSM 2.0, all “normal” scoring machine features are available, plus many more. It is 100% FIE compliant. It is scalable to almost any size, from a tiny “netbook” to a whole wall-sized projection.

All the timing parameters (buried in the back part of the rule book that only armorers ever read) are modifiable by the User (aka: you.)

Notes on the VSM Design Philosophy:

VSM was written using Windows XP, but with the intent of staying “backwards compatible” with Windows 98SE. The idea was for VSM to work perfectly well even on older “orphaned” computer systems -- system that are gathering dust in closets, or being sold in yard sales, so that the cost of the computer is not a factor in setting up a scoring machine. My objective in this and in the low price of VSM is to make a “World Cup quality” scoring system affordable to every high school, college, or small fencing club in the world. It is also to make the scoring system scaleable to any size (via a larger monitor or projector), and also portable (via low cost netbooks and laptops.)