FR2780187A1 - Timing method for runners participating in race - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves using a simple portable disposable device, including circuit chips, which mounts on straps. The timing device for use in marathons and other mass-participation events uses a device (1) which is worn by the runners incorporating an electronic identification chip. This is coupled to a small sized transmitting aerial with one of its aerials mounted vertically. The aerial is directional, and is directed towards the inside of the track around which the runners pass. The device is light weight and yet enables detection and response at distance of 40 cm - 1m. The device is fastened to a wrist band with a length of looped pile fastening. This may be disposable, and may carry an advertising logo.

Description

Device and method for mass timing of La athletes

  present invention relates to the technical sector of timing of athletes, and in particular that of timing called "mass", that is to say when a large number of athletes

  present substantially simultaneously at the timing station.

  This is particularly the case of runners, and in particular

  during races like the marathon or local "marathons" or one.

  large number of amateurs and / or professionals compete, and where

  facilities are not those of a large athletic stadium.

  One of the problems to be solved concerns the obligation, or research, of measurement in real time, in order to carry out intermediate classifications or a final classification in real time. This is of increasing importance for these sports, especially when they are publicized. Already known in this field is a device which is fixed to the ankle of the runner, or in the runner's shoe, which comprises a known electronic chip for identifying the runner, this device

  comprising a detection mat comprising a detection antenna.

  The set has many disadvantages: on the one hand the mat is a source of great discomfort and break in rhythm for the runner, even induces a risk of falling, and on the other hand the chip is necessarily

  expensive considering the technical detection capabilities of the carpet.

  This device must therefore be reused to be profitable.

  There is also known a similar system combined with a detection antenna which must be horizontal, which is perfectly uncomfortable. This device was not followed up for

  obvious reasons for non-applicability.

  According to the invention, a device is proposed which solves these

  problems through an entirely different approach.

  According to the invention, a portable device is combined by the runner, comprising an electronic identification chip coupled to a transmitting antenna incorporated in the device, of short range, of the order of 40 cm to 1 m, therefore very inexpensive. , with vertical or substantially vertical antennas, these antennas being directional and directed towards the interior of the individual track considered where the runner is moving. Directional antennas allow reception at short range, also of the order of 40 cm to 1 m, and therefore allow

very inexpensive chip.

  The device therefore becomes disposable, according to a preferred embodiment.

  Furthermore, this device can be an elastic bracelet worn on the wrist, or a badge attached to the jersey by a Velcro (TM) system or the like,

  that is to say, a device that is not bulky.

  According to an entirely preferred embodiment of the invention, on approaching the LC timing point (either intermediate or the finish line), the runners are channeled along individual tracks, that is to say o only one runner evolves, and the directional antennas are placed at the edge of the track, and are oriented towards the track. In order to further reduce the necessary range of reception of the system, and therefore of emission of the chip and its antenna, it will be preferred to install two directional antennas for each track, arranged on each side of the track and facing the one from the other, the reception range of each of the antennas covering half the width of the runway, ie approximately 40 to 60 cm, with possible slight overlap for safety. So the range of the chip can be greatly

  reduced, and its cost becomes really negligible.

  The device then becomes completely disposable, and can therefore serve as an advertising medium for a given race, which is not possible with current expensive devices. A person skilled in the art will understand that the runner crossing the timing point sends identification information which is received by the directional antenna, or both antennas in the preferred mode, this information then being processed in a central computerized system o10 for display, classification, etc ..... in a known manner. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear

  better by reading the description which follows, and by referring to the

  attached drawing, in which: - Figure 1 (Figures 1a, 1b, 1c) shows a schematic view of a non-limiting embodiment of a portable device according to the invention, in the form of a bracelet, - the 2 shows a variant according to which the chip and its antenna are fixed by a Velcro (TM) mode or the like, , o the bracelet itself is in Velcro (TM) in whole or in part, - Figure 4 shows the combination of the portable device of the invention with - upper part of the figure - a directional antenna or - lower part of the figure - two directional antennas for

each track.

  In the various figures, the same reference numbers have the

same meanings.

  We see (Fig. La and lb) that a device according to the invention comprises a support (1) (here, a bracelet without limitation) carrying or integrating a support (2) of the electronic chip (5) and its associated antenna (4). Optionally, the chip and the antenna can be mounted on or in a second support (3). In Figure lc, we see an alternative arrangement according to which the support (2) is fixed to the support (1) by a layer (6) of adhesive, self

sticky or Velcro (TM) or the like.

  Figure 2 details this last non-limiting provision, o the bracelet support (1) includes a Velcro (TM) area (6) intended to

  receive the support (2) carrying or integrating the chip / antenna assembly.

  Such a device is not only disposable but possibly interchangeable, that is to say that the chip can be changed according to the runners and the races. we can then mark the

  bracelet (1) by a brand, a logo etc ... represented by XYZ.

  This is also valid for the nonlimiting variant shown in FIG. 3a and 3b, where the bracelet support (1) is a strip in two parts, separated by a hyphen (7), the meeting of the two parts being carried out by the application of the support (2) on the Velcro

(TM) present in zone (6).

  FIG. 4 represents individual tracks Pn comprising the device according to the invention, that is to say (upper part of the figure) a directional antenna (10) on one side of the track, the range of which covers the entire width individual track; or (lower part of the figure) two antennas (20,20) on each side of the same runway, each oriented towards the runway and covering substantially half the width of

  said track, possibly with a slight overlap.

  The adjacent runway is associated with two other antennas (30,30)

  operating on the same principle.

  In Figure 4, there is shown for clarity of the drawing the antennas (20) and (30) slightly offset in the longitudinal direction. In fact, the skilled person will understand that the antennas (20) and (30) are located on the same vertical so of course not to generate

measurement deviation.

  Those skilled in the art will be able to adapt the above principle to any

  particular use and any normal technological development.

Claims (12)

  1 - Method for the timing of sportsmen, characterized in that a device (1) portable by the runner is combined, comprising an electronic identification chip (5) coupled to a transmitting antenna (4) incorporated in the device, short range, with one or more vertical or substantially vertical antennas, these antennas being directional and directed towards the interior of the individual track considered where the runner is going.   2 - Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the directional antennas allow reception at short range, around 40 cm to 1 m.   3 - Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one realizes when approaching the timing point LC (either intermediate or the finish line) a channeling of the runners according to individual tracks Pn, c ' i.e. a single runner is moving, and the directional antennas (10) are placed at the edge of the track, and are oriented towards the track.   4 - Method according to claim 3, characterized in that one installs two directional antennas (20,20) or (30,30) for each individual track Pn, arranged on each side of the track and facing one of the other, the reception range of each of the antennas covering half the width of the runway, possibly with a slight security recovery.   5- Device for timing athletes, characterized in that it comprises an electronic chip (5) of identification coupled to a transmitting antenna (4) incorporated in the device, of short range of around 40 cm to 1 m.   6 - Device for the timing of athletes, according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises an electronic chip (5) identification coupled to a transmitting antenna (4) incorporated in the device, adapted to cooperate with vertical antennas or substantially vertical (10, 20, 30), these antennas being directional and directed towards the interior of the individual track considered Pn o evolves the runner.   7 - Device for timing athletes, according to claim 6, characterized in that it has the form of a bracelet (1) comprising a support (2) for the chip (5) / antenna (4) assembly, this   assembly being possibly mounted itself on a support (3).   8 - Device for timing athletes, according to one   any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that it can be a   elastic bracelet (1) worn on the wrist, or a badge attached to the jersey by a Velcro (TM) system or the like 9 - Device for timing athletes, according to one   any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that it comprises   a support (1) carrying or integrating a support (2) of the chip   electronics (5) and its associated antenna (4).   10 - Device for timing athletes, according to one   any of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the chip (5)   and the antenna (4) can be mounted on or in a second support (3). 11 - Device for timing athletes, according to one   any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the support   (2) is fixed to the support (1) by a layer (6) of adhesive, self-adhesive or Velcro (TM) or the like.   12 - Device for timing athletes, according to one   any one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the support   bracelet (1) has a Velcro (TM) zone (6) intended to receive the   support (2) carrying or integrating the chip (5) / antenna (4) assembly.   13 - Device for timing athletes, according to one   any one of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that it is   interchangeable, i.e. you can change the chip according to runners and races.   14 - Device for timing athletes, according to one   any one of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that the support   bracelet (1) is a strip in two parts, separated by a hyphen (7), the meeting of the two parts being carried out by the application of the support (2)   on the Velcro (TM) present in the area (6).   - Device for timing athletes, according to one   any one of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that it is disposable.