EP0472539B1 - Appareil de chronometrage en particulier pour vehicules de course - Google Patents

Appareil de chronometrage en particulier pour vehicules de course Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0472539B1
EP0472539B1 EP90906768A EP90906768A EP0472539B1 EP 0472539 B1 EP0472539 B1 EP 0472539B1 EP 90906768 A EP90906768 A EP 90906768A EP 90906768 A EP90906768 A EP 90906768A EP 0472539 B1 EP0472539 B1 EP 0472539B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
radiation
datum line
zone
timing
time
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP90906768A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP0472539A1 (fr
EP0472539A4 (en
Inventor
Kim Edward Penglase
Jacek Dutkiewicz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Redback Electronics Pty Ltd
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Redback Electronics Pty Ltd
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Priority to AT90906768T priority Critical patent/ATE101738T1/de
Priority claimed from AU56584/90A external-priority patent/AU636891B2/en
Publication of EP0472539A1 publication Critical patent/EP0472539A1/fr
Publication of EP0472539A4 publication Critical patent/EP0472539A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0472539B1 publication Critical patent/EP0472539B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C1/00—Registering, indicating or recording the time of events or elapsed time, e.g. time-recorders for work people
    • G07C1/22—Registering, indicating or recording the time of events or elapsed time, e.g. time-recorders for work people in connection with sports or games
    • G07C1/24—Race time-recorders

Definitions

  • This invention relates to timing apparatus, particularly although not exclusively for use in providing timing information for racing vehicles such as motor cars, go karts, speed boats.
  • Timing information can be most useful to enable the driver to improve or optimise performance.
  • Lap times can be provided to a driver by displays provided at the side of the race track for reading as the driver passes, but this information is frequently delayed in being provided and also the driver may not be able to read the information at the time of passing if his attention is on other events.
  • AU-A- 90603/82 a display provided within the vehicle
  • timing apparatus for providing timing information to a moving person moving past a datum line
  • the timing apparatus including a radiation source for location at the datum line and for emitting radiation in a diverging radiation zone across a path along which the person moves so that the person crosses the radiation zone, the diverging radiation zone straddling the datum line which extends across the path; and timing means for moving with the person and for providing timing information
  • the timing means including a radiation sensor for receiving radiation emitted by the radiation source as the radiation zone is crossed and for generating a sensor signal in response to sensing of incident radiation, a radiation detector circuit connected to receive the sensor signal and operative to discriminate radiation from the radiation source and to generate a detector signal for as long as radiation from the radiation source is being received and detected, a calculator circuit coupled to the detector circuit to receive the detector signal and operative to calculate a predetermined proportion of the duration of the radiation zone crossing as represented by the duration of the detector signal so as to thereby determine the instant of crossing of the datum line located within the diverging radiation zone, and
  • the radiation source is arranged and operative to emit electromagnetic radiation in a conical pattern across the path.
  • the radiation source may include a modulator for modulating the emitted radiation, the radiation detector circuit including a receiver which is tuned so as to be responsive only to the characteristics of the modulated radiation.
  • the calculator circuit may be operative to calculate and the display means may be operative to display one or more of the following items of timing information: the time elapsed between the latest two successive crossings of the datum line so as to represent a lap time, the times taken for at least two laps as represented by the intervals of time between at least two pairs of successive crossings of the datum line, the difference between the current lap time as represented by the time interval between the latest two successive crossings of the datum line and the penultimate lap and/or best lap so as to provide a comparison of the latest lap with the penultimate lap and/or the best lap, and the total elapsed time from commencement of the operation of the timing apparatus so as to represent the total time elapsed in a competitive event.
  • the radiation sensor may be located at the top of an aerial which is elevated above the associated vehicle or boat by a significant distance so as to thereby minimise the chance of the radiation sensor being obscured as the vehicle or boat passes through the radiation zone.
  • the timing apparatus is for providing timing information to a driver 11 of vehicle 10 travelling along a path 12 such as a race track past datum line 13 which may for example be a start or finish line of the race track.
  • a path 12 such as a race track past datum line 13 which may for example be a start or finish line of the race track.
  • a radiation source 15 is located at the datum line 13 and emits radiation in a diverging radiation zone 16 across the path 12 so that the vehicle 10 will pass through the zone 16.
  • the zone 16 straddles the datum line 13 and in Fig. 1 the zone 16 is generally conical and the datum line 13 is located centrally along the symmetry axis of the zone 16. However this symmetrical location of the zone 16 relative to the datum line 13 is not essential.
  • the radiation source 15 is preferably operative to emit electromagnetic radiation such as infrared radiation.
  • the source 15 may comprise for example a number of light emitting diodes (LED's) emitting infrared radiation.
  • the source 15 may comprise a tubular housing with a light transparent end through which the radiation is emitted in the conical pattern. The source 15 may be operated continuously.
  • the radiation source includes in Fig. 2 a modulator 17 for modulating the emitted radiation, e.g. by imposing a carrier frequency on the emission of infrared radiation by the LED's.
  • the timing means 20 moves with the vehicle 10 and includes a radiation sensor 21 for receiving radiation from the source 15 as the radiation zone 16 is crossed.
  • the sensor 21 generates a sensor signal 21a in response to sensing of incident radiation.
  • the sensor 21 may be of any convenient construction and operation and for example may comprise photo diodes or photo transistors.
  • the sensor preferably has a sensitivity to incident radiation impinging on the sensor 21 from a wide angle ⁇ which is greater than the included angle of ⁇ of the conical zone 16 (Fig. 1) so that the radiation sensor 21 will detect radiation from the source 15 as soon as the sensor 21 first enters the zone 16 (e.g. as shown for vehicle 10a) and will continue detecting radiation until the sensor 21 leaves the zone 16 (as shown for vehicle 10b).
  • the sensor is located at the top of an aerial 22 which is elevated above the vehicle 10 by a significant distance so as to minimise the chance of the radiation sensor 21 being obscured as the vehicle 10 passes through the zone 16.
  • the timing means includes processing circuitry 25 which includes a radiation detector circuit 26 connected to receive the sensor signal from the sensor 21 and to discriminate radiation from the source 15 from other radiation and to generate a detector signal 26a for as long as radiation from the source 15 is being received and detected.
  • the radiation detector circuit 26 includes a receiver which is tuned so as to be responsive only to the characteristics of the modulated radiation.
  • the detector circuit 26 may comprise a superheterodyne amplifier.
  • the processing circuitry 25 also includes a calculator circuit 27 such as a programmed microprocessor coupled to the detector circuit 26 to receive the detector signal and operative to calculate a predetermined proportion of the duration of crossing of the radiation zone 16. This duration is represented by the duration of the detector signal. In this way the calculator circuit 27 determines the instant of crossing of the datum line 13 located within the diverging radiation zone 16.
  • the output of the calculator circuit is connected to display means 28 so as to display timing information to the driver 11 including the time of crossing of the datum line 13.
  • the display means 28 may comprise for example an LCD display or other suitable display.
  • the display 28 is preferably located in front of the driver 11 so as to be readily seen.
  • the duration of the detector signal will vary depending on whether a vehicle 10 is crossing the zone 16 nearer to the source 15 or further from the source. However the mid point of the duration of the detector signal 26a will remain the instant of crossing of the datum line 13 (assuming constant speed of the vehicle through the zone 16 - which will be a valid approximation for most situations). If the datum line 13 is not symmetrically arranged within the zone 16, e.g. if the source 15 is not aligned so as to project across the track 13 with the axis of the conical zone 16 coincident with the datum line 13, the proportion of the duration of the detector signal that is calculated may be selectively varied to accurately represent the instant of crossing of the datum line 13.
  • the micro processor 27 can be programmed to determine and the display means may be provided with more than one display or may be provided with switching means to enable display of selectively different timing information.
  • the calculator circuit 27 may be programmed to calculate and the display means 28 operative to display one or more of the following items of timing information: the time elapsed between the latest two successive crossings of the datum line 13 so as to represent a lap time, the times taken for at least two laps as represented by the intervals of time between at least two pairs of successive crossings of the datum line 13, the difference between the current lap time as represented by the time interval between the latest two successive crossings of the datum line 13 and the penultimate lap and/or best lap so as to provide a comparison of the latest lap with the penultimate lap and/or the best lap, and the total elapsed time from commencement of the operation of the timing apparatus so as to represent the total time elapsed in a competitive event.
  • the timing information displayed may be selectable as mentioned above by the driver 11 operating push button switches provided on the display 28.
  • the previous lap time may be displayed automatically upon the vehicle passing through the zone 16, however by touching a push button switch this display may change to give an indication of whether that last lap time is faster or slower than the penultimate lap time or the best lap time. In this way the driver can monitor performance continuously.
  • lap number can be readily counted by the micro processer and displayed.
  • the micro processor 27 can provide data to the display 28 enabling display of engine speed and cylinder head temperature.
  • timing apparatus as described herein and illustrated can be made of simple cheap and robust components. However the apparatus can be quite accurate in operation.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Unknown Time Intervals (AREA)

Abstract

L'appareil de chronométrage décrit fournit des informations de chronométrage à une personne se déplaçant (11) qui franchit une ligne de référence (13). Une source de radiation (15) située sur la ligne de référence (13) émet une radiation modulée dans une zone de radiation conique divergente (16) en travers d'une trajectoire (12), sur laquelle se déplace la personne, cette zone s'étendant de part et d'autre de la ligne de référence (13) en travers de la voie (12). Un capteur de radiation (21) disposé sur une antenne (22) reçoit la radiation émise par la source de radiation (15), au moment où la zone de radiation (16) est traversée, et génère un signal de capteur (21a). Un circuit détecteur de radiation (26) reçoit le signal de capteur (21a) et est réglé de façon à distinguer la radiation modulée provenant de la source de radiation (15) et de façon à générer un signal de détecteur (26a) tant que la radiation provenant de la source de radiation (15) est reçue et détectée. Un circuit calculateur (27) calcule une proportion prédéterminée de la durée de traversée de la zone de radiation, représentée par la durée du signal de détecteur (26a), afin de déterminer l'instant de franchissement de la ligne de référence (13), et un organe d'affichage (28) affiche les informations de chronométrage désirées, telles que le moment du franchissement de la ligne de référence (13).

Claims (6)

  1. Appareil de chronométrage pour assurer des renseignements de chronométrage à une personne en mouvement (11) passant devant une ligne de référence (13), ledit appareil de chronométrage comportant:
    une source de rayonnement (15) située à la ligne de référence (13) et pour émettre un rayonnement dans une zone de rayonnement divergent (16) en travers d'un chemin (12) le long duquel se déplace la personne (11) de telle façon que la personne traverse la zone de rayonnement (16), la zone de rayonnement divergent (16) chevauchant la ligne de référence (11) qui s'étend en travers du chemin (12); et
    des moyens de chronométrage (20) de déplacement avec la personne et apportant les renseignements de chronométrage, lesdits moyens de chronométrage (20) comportant:
    un capteur de rayonnement (21) pour recevoir le rayonnement émis par la source de rayonnement (15) lorsque la zone de rayonnement est traversée et pour la génération d'un signal capteur (21a) en réponse à un rayonnement incident capté,
    un circuit capteur de rayonnement (26) raccordé pour recevoir le signal du capteur (21a) et fonctionnel pour distinguer le rayonnement à partir d'une source de rayonnement (26a) tant que le rayonnement depuis la source de rayonnement (15) est reçue et captée,
    un circuit calculateur (27) accouplé au circuit détecteur (26) pour recevoir le signal détecteur (26a) et fonctionnel pour le calcul d'un proportion prédéterminée de la durée de traversée de la zone de rayonnement telle que représentée par le délai du signal capteur (26a) de telle façon à déterminer le moment de traversée de la ligne de référence (12) située dans la zone de rayonnement divergent (16), et
    des moyens d'affichage (27) accouplés au circuit calculateur (27) et fonctionnel pour afficher les renseignements de chronométrage y compris le moment de traversée de la ligne de référence (13).
  2. Appareil de chronométrage tel que revendiqué à la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que la source de rayonnement (15) est agencée et fonctionnelle pour émettre un rayonnement électromagnétique en configuration conique en travers du chemin (12).
  3. Appareil de chronométrage tel que revendiqué aux revendication 1 ou 2 caractérisé en ce que la source de rayonnement (15) est agencée par rapport au chemin (12) de façon telle que la ligne de référence est située essentiellement de façon centrale sur un axe de symétrie de la zone de rayonnement divergent (16), le circuit calculateur (27) étant fonctionnel pour déterminer le point central du délai de signal capteur (26a) en calculant: Ta = T1 + (T2 - T1/T2)
    Figure imgb0005
     dont:
       Ta est le moment recherché de traversée de la ligne de référence (13),
       T1 marque le début du signal capteur (26a), et
       T2 marque la fin du signal capteur (26a).
  4. Appareil de chronométrage tel que revendiqué en l'une ou l'autre des revendication précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la source de rayonnement (15) prévoit un modulateur (17) pour moduler le rayonnement émis, le circuit capteur de rayonnement (26) comportant un récepteur synchronisé pour répondre exclusivement aux caractéristiques du rayonnement modulé.
  5. Appareil de chronométrage tel que revendiqué en l'une ou l'autre des revendication précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le circuit calculateur (27) est fonctionnel pour afficher l'un des éléments suivants de renseignement au minimum:
    le délai écoulé entre deux tours représentés par les délais entre un minimum de deux paires successives de traversées de la ligne de référence (13),
    la différence entre le délai courant du tour tel que représenté par le délai entre les dernières traversées successives de la ligne de référence (13) et l'avant-dernier tour et/ou le meilleur tour de façon à obtenir la comparaison du dernier tour avec l'avant-dernier tour et/ou le meilleur tour, et
    le délai global écoulé depuis le début de l'opération de l'appareil de chronométrage de façon telle à représenter le délai global écoulé lors d'un événement compétitif.
  6. Appareil de chronométrage tel que revendiqué en l'une ou l'autre des revendication précédentes et prévu pour le chronométrage de bateaux ou de voitures de course, caractérisé en ce que le capteur de rayonnement (21) est situé au sommet d'une antenne (22) qui est dressée d'une hauteur significative au dessus du bateau ou véhicule associé (10) afin de minimiser la possibilité de masquer le capteur de rayonnement (21) lorsque le bateau ou véhicule (10) passe par la zone de rayonnement (16).
EP90906768A 1989-05-15 1990-05-14 Appareil de chronometrage en particulier pour vehicules de course Expired - Lifetime EP0472539B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT90906768T ATE101738T1 (de) 1989-05-15 1990-05-14 Zeitnahmevorrichtung, insbesondere fuer rennwagen.

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPJ416689 1989-05-15
AU4166/89 1989-05-15
AU56584/90A AU636891B2 (en) 1989-05-15 1990-05-14 Timing apparatus particularly for racing vehicles

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0472539A1 EP0472539A1 (fr) 1992-03-04
EP0472539A4 EP0472539A4 (en) 1992-06-03
EP0472539B1 true EP0472539B1 (fr) 1994-02-16

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90906768A Expired - Lifetime EP0472539B1 (fr) 1989-05-15 1990-05-14 Appareil de chronometrage en particulier pour vehicules de course

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WO (1) WO1990014643A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7072792B2 (en) 2002-12-24 2006-07-04 Daniel Freifeld Racecourse lap counter and racecourse for radio controlled vehicles

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2396280A (en) * 1946-03-12 Race track device
GB2081937A (en) * 1980-06-26 1982-02-24 Hocken Redvers Albert A timing system
GB2117937A (en) * 1982-04-23 1983-10-19 Redvers Albert Hocken A timing system
AU9060382A (en) * 1982-11-16 1984-05-24 Van Den Berg, H.A. Vehicle performance information
DE3248565A1 (de) * 1982-12-30 1984-07-05 Peter Dipl.-Ing. 7000 Stuttgart Doslik Zeitintervall-messeinrichtung
CH669687A5 (en) * 1985-11-22 1989-03-31 Zellweger Uster Ag Laser-readable vignette for motor vehicle - has reflection strip(s) returning beam with elliptical cross=section

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EP0472539A1 (fr) 1992-03-04
EP0472539A4 (en) 1992-06-03
WO1990014643A1 (fr) 1990-11-29

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