GB2440975A

GB2440975A - Device for tracking the position of competitors in the sport of orienteering

Info

Publication number: GB2440975A
Application number: GB0614882A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rolf Crook; Julia Anne Crook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-07-27
Filing date: 2006-07-27
Publication date: 2008-02-20
Also published as: GB0614882D0

Abstract

A device 120 is disclosed for tracking the position of competitors in the sport of orienteering and confirming their arrival at check points or control points. The device comprises a location determining means 105 such as a GPS receiver, a user input means 103, a memory storage means 107 for storing data identifying one or more predetermined locations, and an output means 104, such that, the location determining means 105 is arranged to obtain the location of the device upon a user input, and the output means 104 provides an output if the determined location is within a predetermined range of a location stored in the memory storage means 107. The tracking device 120 may further comprise a wireless communication means 108 for downloading the predetermined location data.

Description

TRACKING DEVICE

The present invention generally relates to a tracking device. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a GPS device for tracking the position of competitors in the sport of orienteering and confirming their arrival at check points or control points.

Orienteering is a popular sport in which competitors must navigate as fast as possible over a terrain and visit a predetermined number of control sites in an ordered sequence. Before an orienteering event takes place, a planner designs a set of courses by selecting a sequence of features on a map. These features are used as the control sites.

Orienteering is a competitive sport so it is required to have some means of proving that each competitor has visited each control in the correct order. This was originally achieved using a system of pin punching. In the past, before the event started, the planner placed a pin punch with a known pattern of pins at each control site. When a competitor arrived at a control, they would punch the appropriate pattern on a cardboard control card, which was then checked by officials at the finish.

Over the last ten years, pin punching has been largely superseded by electronic punching. An electronic device programmed with a control code is placed at each control site before the event and the competitor carries a small electronic device in their hand. When the competitor arrives at the control, they place their card device close to the electronic punch and the time and control code are recorded in one or both of the units. The data stored on the device is downloaded at the end of the course into a computer confirming that the competitor visited the correct controls in the correct order.

Each competitor receives a printout displaying time splits between controls.

However, this system only tells competitors when they arrived at each control site, with no information on the route they took between controls. Furthermore, the planner must program the electronic punches before the event and take them to the control sites.

There are typically sixty controls at an orienteering event so this is very physically demanding and time consuming, often taking a full day. The punches must then be collected after the event. Also, the electronic punches are very expensive and at nsk from theft when they are placed in public areas.

The present invention has been devised with the foregoing in mind.

Therefore, according to the present invention there is provided a tracking device comprising: location determining means; a user input means; storage means for storing data identifying one or more locations; and an output means, wherein the location determining means is arranged to obtain information about the location of the device upon a user input and the output means is arranged to provide an output if the determined location is within a predetermined range of a location in said storage means.

The tracking device is preferably also arranged to provide an output when the device is within a predetermined range of one or more predetermined locations.

Preferably, the device further comprises communication means for acquiring data about a course or route that is to be followed. The device can also include means for recording the data to the storage means. The data can include a start point and an end point of the course and information about the position of points on the course.

Additional data may be included to provide information about other locations which do not form part of the course. This may represent out of bounds areas which competitors or the like following a course must avoid.

Preferably, the device further comprises time recordal means for recording the time taken to complete the course from the start point to the end point. The device may additionally record times between predetermined locations, such as control points along the course.

The device can also comprise a transmitter for transmitting the data to an external device, such as a computer or a server with a central database.

The communication means mentioned above or the transmitter also mentioned above may be a wireless link or a cable. The wireless link may be optical, e.g. infra red or radio based, e.g. Bluetooth or wireless LAN.

Preferably the output means is an indicator which emits an audible signal and/or a visible signal, such as a flashing light or LED, if it is determined that the device is within the predetermined range of the point on the course. The indicator may alternatively or in addition include a physical means of indication such as a vibrator. The indicator may be used for other user interface functions such as configunng the device.

The device can be a GPS device having a GPS receiver built in. The device may receive other position signals from satellites or ground based systems. I0

The device can be used to monitor orienteering courses, such that the predetermined location is a control point that must be passed on the orienteering course. When used in orienteering competitions, the device can also download and store information about competitors, such as name, club, age and class. The device can be worn like a watch on a competitors wrist and can include a button as the user input means and/or an indicator as the output means.

The competitor can then press the button to activate the indicator when they think they are in the vicinity of a pre-determined control point. The device can be arranged to give a confirmation that the device is in the correct location using the output means.

The device can also simply be used to acquire positional information about an orienteering route by pressing the button at the start of the course to start the device acquiring positional information and pressing the button at the end of the course to stop the device acquiring positional information. The device can also record the start and end times too. This mode of operation gives no confirmation to the user during the course but allows the collected route data to be checked later.

The device may also be used in gathering information about orienteering courses to allow the accurate determination of the locations of control points.

For competition purposes the competitor will have to pass within a pre-determined range of each control point on the course and the device can indicate whether the competitor is in this predetermined range by giving an audible or visible signal or the like. The device can also give a signal when the competitor is outside the pre-determined range and thus has not validly visited the control point. Normally such indications would only be given by way of confirmation after the user has pressed a button etc. However, in some situations, the device may automatically provide such indications such that no user activation is required. In this way, a user input means could be dispensed with.

The tracking device can be activated at a start point of the course and deactivated at an end point of the course.

The device preferably records positional information at frequent intervals to allow a record of the route taken to be recorded. This positional information may be recorded at regular time intervals or after the device has moved a certain distance. Time information is preferably recorded with the positional information. Preferably, the tracking device further comprises a transmitter for transmitting the recorded positional information to an external database.

The apparatus can be used to set a course for an orienteering competition. It can also be used for checking, updating or creating maps. The device can be used in a data gathering mode to allow a planner to visit specific locations on the ground and use the device to determine the exact location. The device can then store that information for later download and retrieval. Using this data, maps or courses can be determined.

For example, a planner can carry the device to a number of points for one or more courses. A point is a predetermined control point that must be passed during the orienteering competition. The planner of an orienteering course can use the tracking device to plan courses, by activating the device at chosen points and thereby periodically acquiring positional information about points on one or more courses, including selecting the positions of the control points and start and finish points. The planner can then transmit the information to a database provided in an external computer. The points can then be put together to define one or more courses. The determined points may be start or end points, control points or special areas such as designated crossings or out of bounds areas. The course information defining the various control points can then be uploaded by competitors onto their own tracking devices before the start of an event.

A competitor or planner can wear the tracking device on their wrist like a watch.

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a tracking device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the components of a tracking apparatus according to the present invention; and Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an orienteering course.

Figure 1 shows a tracking device 100 according to the present invention. The device has a main body 101 onto which straps 102 are attached to allow the device 100 to be worn on the wrist, belt, etc. of a user. A button 103 and light 104 are provided in the body 101.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the components of the device 100 as part of a tracking apparatus 120. The device is powered by a battery 112. A GPS satellite receiver 105 is operable to receive GPS signals transmitted from satellites. Other positioning information systems could be used, such as the Galileo satellite based system or terrestrial basestations, beacons or radio transmitters etc. The receiver 105 is connected to a microcontroller 106, which is connected to a memory 107 and local wireless transceiver 108. The user interface includes a button 103 and light 104, as well as a Sound actuator 109, for providing an audible signal. These are also connected to the microcontroller 106. The transceiver 108 may upload data from, and download data to an external computer 110. The data is stored in or retrieved from database 111.

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a simplified orienteering course 200 having a start 201, controls 203 and 206, a compulsory crossing 204, out of bounds area 205 and finish point 207. A competitor in an orienteering competition must normally visit control points 203 and 206 in the correct order, although some types of competition allow point to be visited in any order. For example, there are competitions where the order visited is unimportant but the total number of points visited is the critical factor.

Control 203 is a point control, for example a boulder. In order to have validly visited control point 203, a competitor must have been within a specified distance of the control 203, for example a two metre radius, shown by the shaded area 213. Control point 206 is a type of control known as a linear control and is, for example a bend in a stream or river or in a land contour. In order to have successfully visited control point 206, the competitor must have been within a specified distance of the stream bend shown by shaded area 216. During a typical orienteering event, a competitor must take a course that normally includes between about 10 and 30 such control points 203 and 206.

Furthermore, the course also includes compulsory crossings 204, e.g. a certain place on a wall that must be crossed. If the competitor were to cross the wall at a different place to the point 204, they would be disqualified from the orienteering competition.

The device can be used in different modes. In a first mode of operation, the device is used in the laying out of courses in an orienteering competition. In order to do this, the planner of the competition determines the paths that the various courses will take and then has to convey this information to the device. To enter the courses into the device, the planner initially switches the device into a planning mode. In the device described above, this can be done by using the single input button 103. For example, the button may be depressed for a predetermined period, for example 4 seconds, to indicate to the device that it should switch into a planning mode.

Alternatively, it may be preferable to prevent the device being switched into planner mode by operation of any of the device's user interfaces, e.g. the button. This would prevent a user inadvertently or deliberately entering the planner mode during a competition. Instead, the planning mode can be entered by using the external communication link provided for uploading and downloading data. The device can be brought into communication range with a computer which can then be used to switch the device into planning mode.

Once in the planning mode, the planner can then visit the location of the control points that make up the various courses to indicate the location of the control points to the device. A typical orienteering event may have 60 or so control points some of which will be part of more than one course. For example, a course may include from around control points up to 30 or more.

Whilst a planner may follow a path corresponding to one course, he is more likely to visit the various control points in a convenient order. The exact courses may then be determined later once all the control points have been determined. As the planner sets off to start mapping the control points, the desired position of the start 201 is recorded in the memory 107, e.g. by pressing the button 103. Of course, different routes may have different start point points and the planner may not necessanly start by recording the start points.

The planner then walks around visiting points on the various courses. In figure 3 only one course is shown but the planner may well visit other control points which are used on other courses between visiting the control points on the course 200 shown.

Positional information is acquired by the device 100 by receiving signals at the GPS receiver 105. As the planner travels along, they eventually arrive at a control point. If the control is a point control, the planner simply presses a button to indicate the precise location of the point control The planner then moves on to the next control. This is repeated at each of the controls forming the courses.

Where the planner wishes to designate a linear control, the device must be controlled to record the features of the linear control. This can again be achieved by, for example, pressing the button 103 for an extended period of say four seconds. The device then records its location repeatedly as the planner travels along a path defining the linear control.

For example, as indicated, if the linear control is a river then the planner may start at one point along the river and then move along the river to some distant point to define the linear control. Once the planner has traversed the linear control, they can indicate this to the device by use of the button 103. During this period, the device records its position periodically (either time or distance) so that it can define a series of points setting out the linear control's position.

The planner can then move onto the next control point and enter its location as described above according to whether it is a point control or a linear control. This continues until the planner has used the device 100 to store all the desired points, induding the finishing point 207 of the course and any other finishing points. The button 103 may then used to stop position acquisition although this is not essential.

The course can then be downloaded to the external computer 100 via the local wireless transceiver 108 or a direct wired connection. Wireless connectivity can take place using for example BluetoothTh or other radio link, an infra-red link or a direct wired connection. Course data is stored In the database 111.

Once all the control point data has been collected and downloaded into the database 111, the planner can collate all the control points into specified courses. The planner may also wish to introduce compulsory crossings 204 and out of bounds areas 205.

These points can be determined in a similar way to the other control points by the planner visiting the points and recording them in the same way as the other control points. Then when all points have been gathered, control points can be designated as such whilst compulsory crossings can be added and identified as compulsory crossings in order to distinguish them from control points.

Out of bounds areas do not form part of a course but may be included as part of the course data. Such areas tend to be the same for all courses in a competition and so this data would tend to be introduced into all the information for all courses. This information can be gathered in a similar way to the linear control points. In this way, the planner simply goes to one extreme of the out of bounds area and switches the device into a mode for taking repeated location readings which are collected as the planner traverses the perimeter of the out of bounds area. Again once the planner has returned and downloaded the information into the database 111, then the out of bounds area can be designated accordingly, to define the excluded area. Alternatively, the planner may simply visit the extremes of the area, e.g. four corners of a rectangle or three points of a triangle, so that the area can be determined later.

The other main mode of operation of the device is for use by competitors during the competition. in this mode, the device initially needs to upload the course which the competitor is intending to follow. The competitor then proceeds to run the route of the course. Once the course is completed, the competitor can then use the device to download information collected during the course to allow confirmation that the course was correctly completed and to provide statistics and information upon the timing and route information collected.

At the start of a competition, a competitor visits a location to allow connection to an external computer 110 which has access to the database Ill or a copy of it. The location of the start and finish of the course and all control points for the course stored in the database 111 are transmitted to the device 100 worn by the competitor and stored in the memory 107. Any previous data stored in the memory 107 can be automatically deleted or overwritten. Other data can also be uploaded from the database Ill to the device memory 107, such as whether a timed or positional start to the orienteering course should be used. In a timed start, the competitor is allocated a specific time to start their course. They therefore have to visit the start of the course at the allocated time. In a positional start, the competitor simply arrives at the start line and the timing of the course begins once they have passed the start line. Also competitor data, for example name, club and age class can be included. The device can be configured to give an audible and/or visible signal when the data has been uploaded successful using the light 104 and audible indicator 109 (for example beeping and flashing twice).

Periodic acquisition of the competitor's position by the GPS receiver 105 is initiated by the microcontroller 106 when the position of the course start 201 stored in the memory 107 is passed by the competitor, or at a certain time if a timed start has been specified.

Race timing starts at this point. Alternatively, the start may be left to be manually Initiated by the user by pressing the button. This is particularly applicable where no course data is prestored. The device can still be used to store route information and for confirming retrospectively that the correct course was followed. However, without prestored start time or position data, the start point must be manually initiated.

When the competitor reaches what they believe to be the next control site, 203 or 206, they push the button 103. The position of the competitor and time are recorded in the memory 107 and the device 100 gives an audible signal and the light 104 flashes to indicate that recording of the position has been successful.

The microcontroller 106 compares the current position with the expected position of the control point 203 or 206 stored in the memory 107. If the competitor's actual position is within the predetermined range for this control, the competitor's position is considered correct and the device 100 emits a confirmatory sound to indicate to the competitor that they have validly reached the control. If the position is considered incorrect, the device emits an alternative sound. The device may also record information concerning the time and location of the incorrect entry.

In certain events, the device may also be controlled to provide a confirmatory sound which confirms that the competitor is at the location of any control point even if it is not the correct one. In this way, if a competitor presses the button at an incorrect control, the device will simply acknowledge that the competitor is at a valid control even though it is the wrong one at this stage in the course. This allows for competitors to be penalised for going to the wrong control. To allow for providing confirmation of all controls at an event, including those not on the competitors course, the device may upload the position of all the controls and not just those on the course, when the course data is initially downloaded.

When the competitor has found the correct position for the control site, the device 100 switches to checking for the next control point stored in the memory 107 for comparison with the competitor's actual position next time the competitor presses the button 103.

Periodic position acquisition stops when the competitor passes through the finish point 207 and race timing stops. The device 100 gives an audible indication and/or the light 104 flashes to indicate to the competitor that race timing has stopped. The competitor then visits the external computer 110, where the data about the competitor's route stored in the memory 107 is automatically downloaded to the computer 110 via the local wireless transceiver 108.

When the data download is complete, the device 100 is switched off. Software loaded onto the computer 110 compares the positions recorded on the competitor's device 100 with the correct control positions defined by the course planner. If the competitor has visited the controls 203, 206 in the wrong order, ventured into an out of bounds area 205 or not used the compulsory crossing 204 then they are disqualified.

The competitors may then be ranked from the timing data to find the winners of the competition. Information such as split times, distances climbs and minutes per kilometre for each leg of the course can be made available to the competitors. The software loaded onto the computer 110 also allows the competitor to print out a copy of the route they took around the orienteering course for analysis.

The device may be configured for other functions such as novelty events or training events where the basic rules are modified. For example, one such event is a line event where competitors must follow a line on a map. In this case, the course may consist of one long route similar to a linear feature. In this way, if the competitor goes away from J 11 the line by more than a certain distance, they are penalised and this may be indicated by an audible indication from the device.

Another example of an alternative game is a Score event' where competitors do not have to visit controls in any specified order but must simply visit as many controls as possible within a predetermined time. Again, the device can be operated to acknowledge to the user when they have operated the button at a valid control point.

This is similar to the example above where users are always given positive signals when they are at a valid control point even if they are at the wrong point for their course. The device stores the operation of the button at the control point along with location information. The main difference is that once the location data is processed after the competition, the rules of the event can be applied and in the former example, the competitor is disqualified for visiting an incorrect control. In contrast, in a Score event, points are allocated for visiting any control.

The device described above includes a simple user interface comprising a button, a visual indicator such as a light and an audible indicator. This provides a simple and lightweight unit which is relatively inexpensive to produce and which should be reliable in the rigorous environment in which it is to be used. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to this particular form of user interface and it will be appreciated that other user interfaces are applicable. For example, the device may also include a display screen for displaying information about the next control point on the course or other information.

The device may be arranged to provide provisional information about the course to allow the competitor to get to the start and to know the time at which the start occurs.

The interface could also be used to provide other information. For example, the device may be arranged to operate in an emergency mode which allows the device to provide an indication of the route back to the end of the course should the competitor become lost or some other emergency condition arises such as bad weather. Of course, the device would need to record the use of such an emergency mode to disqualify the competitor.

Having said that, the simple interface descnbed above provides a considerable number of different ways of expressing information. The light might be arranged to switch on or off or blink with low or high frequency, etc. Similarly, the audible indicator may play different sounds or simply beep rapidly or slowly or for predetermined periods of time.

Equally, the button used for providing an input to the device can, as indicated above, be operated in a variety of different ways to provide different input indications and again in conjunction with the audio and visual outputs effectively provide a menu-type system. A second or further buttons may be added for greater ease of use.

The device as described above is indicated as using a wireless transceiver for uploading and downloading information. Of course, such a wireless communication means can be replaced by a simple wired arrangement where the device is physically connected to the computer I 10 for upload and download of information. Alternatively, the wireless link may be an infrared or radio link using a standard communications system such as Bluetooth or the like.

The device described above is indicated as using a GPS receiver. However, it will be appreciated other positional information systems are available or proposed and such alternatives could be used to provide this information.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A tracking device comprising: location determining means; a

user input means; storage means for storing data identifying one or more locations: and an output means, wherein the location determining means is arranged to obtain information about the location of the device upon a user input and the output means is arranged to provide an output if the determined location is within a predetermined range of a location in said storage means.

2. A tracking device according to claim I further comprising communication means for downloading said location data.

3. A tracking device according to claim 2 wherein said communication means is a wireless communication means.

4. A tracking device according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising means for recording the time of said user input.

5. A tracking device according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising means for periodically storing the location information from the location determining means.

6. A tracking device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the user input means is a switch.

7. A tracking device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the output means is at least one of an audible indicator and a visual indicator.

8. A tracking device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the location determining means determines the position of the device using received GPS signals.

9. A tracking device as described substantiafly herein1 with reference to the accompanying drawings.