EP2597625A2 - Method of clock synchronization for remote time comparison in homing pigeon sport - Google Patents

Abstract

The time synchronization method involves determining arrival time of carrier pigeons returning from gambling flight using an electronic detector clock (1) without manipulations, where the current time of the detector clock is compared with a master time, e.g. radio time or global positioning system time. The difference from the time comparison of the time of the detector clock and the comparison time for the correction of the detector clock is used for determining the true arrival time. The arrival time and additional information are transferred to a server (14) during arrival of the pigeon.

Description

The invention relates to a method for time synchronization for the remote tee in the pigeon sport.

Konstatieruhr or Konstatierapparat is called a special clock, which is used in pigeon racing to the arrival times of returning from a race homing pigeons tamper-proof (to "note").

The historic clock consists of a mechanical or quartz-powered movement, a "Schlagwerk" that stamps the arrival times on a piece of paper, and a "Constatiertrommel" with up to 30 compartments for recording the rubber rings that created the pigeons before the race and their numbers Ring numbers of the foot rings with which each carrier pigeon is individually marked have been assigned.
After the arrival of a pigeon, the rubber ring brought with her is taken off and thrown into the sealed chronograph clock through the "confirmation opening". (For older clock-clock models, the rubber ring had previously been inserted into a "Konstatierhülse".) By turning the "Konstatierschlüssels" the compartment is closed with the rubber ring inserted, the drum is rotated further, the next compartment of the Constatiertrommel opened and triggered the percussion, that holds the time of arrival to the second on a piece of paper.

Since 1993, conventional clock watches have been increasingly replaced by electronic registration systems in which the acquisition of the foot ring numbers and the arrival times by means of "RFID chip rings" and "sensor antennas".

• Derzeit ist es im Brieftaubensport nötig die Konstatieruhr (KU) nach der Ankunft (nach dem Wettflug) der Brieftauben wieder in den Verein zu bringen, um im Vereinssystem die offizielle Ankunftsliste auszugeben. Demnach werden im Vereinssystem die Ankunftszeiten der Tauben ausgelesen und ausgegeben. Zusätzlich wird die aktuelle Uhrzeit der Konstatieruhr (KU) mit einer Vergleichszeit (Funkuhr, GPS) verglichen. Die sich daraus ergebende Zeitdifferenz wird ebenfalls ausgegeben (dies ist der Abschlag im Brieftaubensport). In einem weiteren Schritt werden dann die Ankunftszeiten um die oben angegebene Zeitdifferenz korrigiert, um die offiziellen Zeiten zu erhalten.

The following is known about the term of the discount in pigeon sport:

• Currently it is necessary in pigeon racing the Konstatieruhr (KU) after the arrival (after the race) of the pigeons back into the club to spend in the club system, the official arrival list. Accordingly, the arrival times of the pigeons are read out and spent in the club system. In addition, the current time of the clock (KU) is compared with a reference time (radio clock, GPS). The resulting time difference is also spent (this is the discount in pigeon racing). In a further step, the arrival times are then corrected by the time difference given above to obtain the official times.

Disadvantage of the said method is that the Konstatieruhr (KU) must be spent after the race in the clubhouse to perform the above steps of the synchronization.

The invention is therefore the object of developing a method and apparatus for synchronizing the time for the purpose of online discount in pigeon racing so that a Spend the Konstatieruhr after the race in the clubhouse and there held time comparison (discount) can be omitted.

According to the invention, a system has been developed that transmits the arrival times online while also detecting and transmitting the time variance between the clock and real time. As a result, in the future the breeder in the pigeon sport no longer has to bring his watch separately after the race into the club. All relevant data is online and can be used for an official result list.

For this purpose, an additional device (a modem) is connected to the clock. However, the modem can also be integrated there. The modem connects to the Internet (eg mobile or LAN / broadband connection) and carries out the steps according to the invention.

• Microprocessor
• RS485 Schnittstelle oder gleichwertige Schnittstelle
• USB
• GPS Modul
• GSM Modul
• GSM Antenne
• GPS Antenne

The GPS modem is the hardware platform used with the following functional parts:

• Microprocessor
• RS485 interface or equivalent interface
• USB
• GPS module
• GSM module
• GSM antenna
• GPS antenna

• ● Die komplette Kommunikation mit dem Server erfolgt verschlüsselt
• ● Vor dem Wettflug wird die Konstatieruhr (KU) in einer kontrollierten Umgebung, z. B. im Vereinshaus, mit einer Masterzeit synchronisiert. Die Masterzeit kann die GPS-Zeit oder von einer Funkuhr abgeleiteten Zeit sein.
• ● Beim Anstecken der Uhr werden die Wettflugdaten mit einem Server synchronisiert.
• ● Bei der Ankunft einer Taube werden die Ankunftszeit und zusätzliche Informationen (Chip-ID, UID) an den Server übertragen.
• ● In regelmäßigen Abständen (10 bis 30 Minuten) werden die aktuelle Uhrzeit und die aktuelle GPS Zeit zum gleichen Zeitpunkt übermittelt, um einen Zeitvergleich zu haben. Zusätzliche gibt es noch die Serverzeit als dritte Vergleichszeit. Der Empfang einer Ankunftszeit muss in einem bestimmten Zeitfenster zum Server liegen (z. B. 1 Minute)
• ● Der Züchter kann jederzeit den Flug beenden, in dem er den "Fernabschlag" durchführt. Ein Menüpunkt erlaubt es, zu Hause den Flug abzuschlagen. Hier wird wiederum die interne Zeit mit der aktuellen GPS Zeit verglichen und gesendet
• ● Nach dem Beenden des Flugs durch "Fernabschlag" Zeitvergleich ist der Flug zur Freigabe freigegeben.
• ● Der Züchter kann Zuhause einen Ausdruck des Wettflugs erstellen
• ● Es kann auch über das Web ein Ausdruck des Wettflugs erstellt werden

The goal is to be able to transmit official results online without the clock having to be brought to the club after the race.

• ● The complete communication with the server is encrypted
• ● Before the race, the clocking timer (KU) is operated in a controlled environment, eg. B. in the club house, synchronized with a master time. The master time can be the GPS time or time derived from a radio clock.
• ● When the watch is plugged in, the race data is synchronized with a server.
• ● Upon arrival of a pigeon, the arrival time and additional information (chip ID, UID) will be transmitted to the server.
• ● At regular intervals (10 to 30 minutes), the current time and GPS time are transmitted at the same time for a time comparison. Additional there is the server time as a third comparison time. The reception of an arrival time must be within a certain time window to the server (eg 1 minute)
• ● The breeder can stop the flight at any time by performing the "long-distance cut-off". A menu item allows you to cut off the flight at home. Here again the internal time with the current GPS time is compared and sent
• ● After the flight has been ended by "distance check" time comparison, the flight is released for release.
• ● The breeder can make a printout of the race at home
• ● A printout of the race can also be made via the web

• ● Höhere Sicherheit gegen Zeitmanipulation durch die fortlaufende Überprüfung der Zeit.
• ● Genauere Berechnung als bei bisherigen Verrechnern möglich, da fortlaufend die Zeit verglichen und übertragen wird.
• ● Die Ergebnisse am Server können auch visualisiert werden.

Advantages:

• ● Greater security against time manipulation by continuously checking the time.
• ● More accurate calculation possible than with previous processors because the time is continuously compared and transmitted.
• ● The results on the server can also be visualized.

• ● Die Uhr muss innerhalb eines bestimmten Zeitraumes in den Club zur visuellen Kontrolle der Hardware gegen Manipulationsversuche verbracht werden. Dies erfolgt idealerweise beim nächsten Einkorben oder spätestens innerhalb von 2 bis 3 Wochen.

Additional measures in the club:

• ● The watch must be brought to the club for a visual inspection of the hardware against tampering within a certain period of time. This is ideally done at the next basketing or at the latest within 2 to 3 weeks.

The invention consists of an official timekeeping, in which on the one hand the arrival times are transmitted online. On the other hand, the current time of the clock together with the current GPS time are transmitted to the server. These two times must be within a specified tolerance. In addition, another comparison time can be used (eg Internet time, Telekom time signal, radio clock). In the invention, the Internet time is drawn.

An essential feature of the invention is that overall a time comparison between 3 different times takes place and the time comparison between 3 different times is evaluated and evaluated in an evaluation unit.

The crucial time that matters is the time of the clock (KU time), which is also referred to as the competition time.

It is important that this only valid competition time is transmitted in the modem connected to the device in real time with a synchronization command, wherein the transmission takes place via such a fast data transmission that the duration of this synchronization command in connection with the time processing is negligibly small.

The GPS modem continuously (or from time to time) collects the GPS time taken from a GPS satellite.

After that, the GPS modem transmits both times via an Internet connection to an Internet web server, via which the current Internet time is queried. The current internet time is z. B. generated on the Internet by querying a server, the z. B. with the standard clock in Brunswick in conjunction.

Therefore, the Internet time is very accurate and can be compared with the current GPS time.

Although it is foreseeable that the current GPS time coincides with the Internet time, this is not necessarily because it would be possible to manipulate the GPS time by a hardware intervention, so with the comparison of the current GPS time and The Internet time is given additional protection against manipulation of the clock.

Now the three times are compared. For this purpose, the 3 times are set in a database. For the certification (approval or approval) of the KU time the requirement must be fulfilled that the KU time (competition time) is accepted only if the difference from the GPS time and the Internet time is smaller than z. B: 1 second is.

The web-based evaluation unit with a suitable visualization is queried via a web connection from a web browser. The necessary computer can be used by the user. But he can also be located in the clubhouse or at the private carrier pigeon fancier to be available. On the display of the corrected arrival times are displayed, which has been corrected by the above method.

The evaluation unit determines depending on the evaluation that the competition time by a correction factor of z. B. 0.5 + is corrected.

The correction is the difference between the competition time and the GPS time recorded online.

With the technical teaching there is the advantage that it is no longer necessary that the carrier pigeon breeder brings after the race in the clubhouse to perform there a tee and results transfer, because this is now internet based and according to the above Procedure can be corrected.

A device practicing the method provides that a modem, which essentially consists of a microprocessor, a GPS receiver, a data transmission module (for example, according to the UMTS or a GPRS transmission method), is connected to the conventionally located clock timer Interface to an external data transmission module (eg ADSL modem via a PC).

The subject of the present invention results not only from the subject matter of the individual claims, but also from the combination of the individual claims with each other.

All information and features disclosed in the documents, including the abstract, in particular the spatial design shown in the drawings, are claimed to be essential to the invention insofar as they are novel individually or in combination with respect to the prior art.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings showing only one embodiment. Here are the Drawings and their description further features essential to the invention and advantages of the invention.

• Figur 1: Blockschaltbild einer Konstatieruhr mit einem erfindungsgemäss angeschlossenen Modem
• Figur 2: das Funktionsschaltbild des Modems nach Figur 1
• Figur 3: der Verfahrensablauf bei der Übertragung (Synchronisation) der verschiedenen Zeiten (Online-Abschlag).

Show it:

• FIG. 1 : Block diagram of a Konstatieruhr with a modem connected according to the invention
• FIG. 2 : the functional diagram of the modem after FIG. 1
• FIG. 3 : the procedure for the transmission (synchronization) of the different times (online discount).

In FIG. 1 a Konstatieruhr 1 is shown, which consists of an electronic device with a display and a microprocessor. On the display 2 is a display 3 for the type of carried out (race) mode is present, a display 4 for the display of the current arrival time (KU time) and a display 5 for the display of the current status of the clock 1.

The clock 1 can be operated stand-alone; However, it can also be connected via a connector 7 with a docking station 6, in the further details of the circuit, such. As a power supply or a backup medium or an interface is available.

In the illustrated embodiment, the clock 1 is connected to the docking station 6. The clock 1 is connected via a data cable 8 to an antenna 9, which detects the arrival of the pigeon wirelessly. On the foot or body of the dove, a donor is attached, which triggers an impulse in the antenna on arrival of the dove.

Via another data cable 10, a modem 11 is connected, which is not necessarily connected to the antenna 9. It is connected to the clock 1 or the docking station 6.

The modem 11 is the subject of the present invention and works with a receiving and transmitting antenna 12 via a communication link 13 to a web server 14th

By the reference numeral 15 is still indicated the state of the art, which shows the arrow at 15 a place of transfer at which the clock 1 Konstatieruhr is removed at the place of the breeder and at the place of departure of the pigeons and spent in the clubhouse for synchronization. This is no longer necessary.

In FIG. 2 is the structure of the modem 11 after FIG. 1 shown. There are one or more bus ports 17 connected to a CPU 16.

A GPS receiver 18 is connected to the CPU, via whose antenna 19 the current GPS time is received by a GPS satellite and fed into the CPU 16.

The CPU communicates via a signal connection with a GPRS modem and a built-in SIM card, so that the modem is mobile-enabled. According to the invention it is provided in another embodiment that the data transmission modem 20 is designed as a mobile device (mobile phone) or as an internet-enabled smartphone.

It can according to the GPRS standard, the G3 standard, the UMTS standard or the like, a data transmission over its bidirectional antenna 21 via the communication connection 13 to a secure web server 14 make, which in turn is connected to a bidirectional antenna 22.

Instead of the radio-supported data transmission path, however, provision may also be made for the parts 11 and 14 to be connected to one another via a wired signal connection.

It is of course possible, instead of the data transmission via modem 11 and the data via interface to a computer (PC) to send. This then takes over the monitoring to the web server 14 with its own Internet connection.

It should be noted that the data transmission modem 20 may be formed in various ways, namely as an ADSL modem or as a smartphone or mobile phone.

In FIG. 3 the function of the online discount is explained in more detail.

It is crucial that the competition time 24 is the time of the clock 23, which is also referred to below as the KU time 23.

This KU time 23 is provided as a competition time 24 with certain correction factors, as shown below.

After the competition time 24 can deviate from the GPS time, a synchronization command is first issued from the clock 1 to the modem 11 via the signal connection 25. Content is the current competition time 24. At the same time, the GPS time 36 is received by the GPS receiver in the modem 11.

Both times (the GPS time 36 and the competition time 24) are transmitted with a further synchronization command via the communication link 13 on a server (web server 14), which in turn detects an Internet-based time (Internet time 27) and available provides.

There are a total of three times in the web server 14, namely the competition time 24, the GPS time 36 and the Internet time 27 requested by the web server via the web.

The web server 14 is connected via a signal connection 28 to a database 29 in which the three different times 24, 36, 27 are stored become. The storage takes place at regular intervals of z. B. 10 to 30 minutes, so that successively data disciplines are stored, which include the three times mentioned.

If all three times are stored every half hour and compared later, a fluctuation of the time 27 Konstatier clock and thus the competition time 24 can be seen.

In addition, the current arrival time of the pigeon, which is automatically detected in the clock 1 and is transmitted from the registration clock 1 to the GPS modem 11 with a command via the signal connection 25, is additionally stored for each data triplet. This is a fourth time (current arrival time), which is also stored in the database together with the three specified times as a record.

This arrival time is now corrected via the communication connection 37, which is web-based, in an evaluation 30, wherein a web-based visualization takes place in the evaluation. For this purpose, it is provided that the evaluation 30 also includes a country table 31, in which certain correction factors are input country by country.

In the evaluation, the determination of the corrected arrival time takes place, which is only accepted if the determined KU time 23 or the competition time 24 falls below a certain difference, which results from the GPS time 36 and the Internet time 27.

Only if this difference falls below a certain value, the clock time of the clock is accepted, and the arrival time is corrected with this time factor.

The corrected arrival time is provided in the evaluation 30 and can be queried at any time via an Internet connection 32 from a pigeon fancier via his web browser 33, his PC or his mobile phone from any location, the values of the evaluation 30 on a Display 34 are displayed and the query can also be controlled via a keyboard 35.

The corrected data of the corrected arrival time, which were determined and visualized in the evaluation 30, are processed further.

Thus, it is no longer necessary that the pigeon fancier brings the clock clock after the competition again in the clubhouse to perform there the discount and transmit the arrival times, because this synchronization process after the race web based on the above method and the devices described above ,

The invention is thus that one can transmit a corrected time of arrival online, without it being necessary to subsequently synchronize the clock Konstatieruhr.

drawing Legend

1

Konstatieruhr

2

display

3

Display mode)

4

Display (arrival time)

5

Display (status)

6

Docking station

7

connector

8th

data cable

9

antenna

10

data cable

11

modem

12

antenna

13

Communication connection

14

Web Server

15

Verbringungsort

16

CPU

17

bus connection

18

GPS receiver

19

antenna

20

Data transmission modem

21

bidirectional antenna

22

bidirectional antenna

23

KU Time

24

competition time

25

signal connection

26

signal connection

27

Internet time

28

signal connection

29

Database

30

evaluation

31

country table

32

Internet Connection

33

Web browser

34

display

35

keyboard

36

GPS time

37

Komm.Verbindung

Claims (8)

Method for synchronization for the remote tee in pigeon racing with an electronic clock, with the arrival times of returning from a race homing pigeons are held tamper-proof, the current clock time of the clock is compared with a master time (eg, a radio clock or GPS time) and the difference between the time comparison of the clock of the clock and the reference time is used to correct the clock for determining the true time of arrival (competition time 24),
characterized in that a) before the race, the clock clock (1) in a controlled environment, eg. B. in the club house, is synchronized with a master time, the master time is the GPS time or derived from a radio clock time, b) when connecting the clock (1) the race data is synchronized with a server (14) c) Upon arrival of a pigeon the arrival time and additional information (chip ID, UID) are transmitted to the server (14). d) At timed intervals, the current time and the current GPS time at the same time to the server (14) are transmitted in order to obtain a time comparison. e) the server time (Internet time) is used as a third comparison time These 3 times are within a certain time window to generate a valid competition time. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the remote tee consists of an official Zeitnehmung, in which on the one hand the arrival times are transmitted online and on the other hand, the current time of the KU clock transmitted together with the current GPS time to the server and that both times must be within a predetermined tolerance. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a total of a time comparison between 3 different times takes place, which is evaluated and evaluated in an evaluation unit. Apparatus for synchronization for the remote tee in pigeon racing with an electronic clock, with the arrival times of returning from a race homing pigeons are held tamper-proof, the current time of the clock is compared with a master time (eg, a radio clock or GPS time) and the difference between the time comparison of the clock of the clock and the reference time for the correction of the clock is used to determine the true time of arrival (competition time),
characterized in that valid competition time is transmitted to a GPS modem connected to the device in real time with a synchronization command, and that the GPS modem detects the GPS time taken from a GPS satellite and compares it with the competition time of the registration clock , Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the GPS modem transmits over an Internet connection both times to an Internet server, via which the current Internet time is queried. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the three times of an evaluation unit are compared. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the KU time (competition time) is allowed when the difference between the GPS time and the Internet time is less than z. B. One second. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that connected to the clock Konstatieruhr a modem which is substantially a microprocessor, a GPS receiver, and a data transmission module (eg, according to the UMTS or a GPRS transmission method, or an interface to an external data transmission module (eg ADSL modem via a PC).

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