FR3098309A1 - System for tracking a plurality of racehorses during a horse race and associated tracking method - Google Patents

Abstract

Title: System for tracking a plurality of racehorses during a horse race and associated tracking method The invention relates to a system for monitoring a plurality of racehorses during a horse race comprising: a plurality sensors (26) fitted to the horses, each sensor being configured to periodically generate a parameter relating to the horse and to periodically transmit this parameter during a transmission time interval; a centralized module (30) comprising at least one chip (60) configured to communicate with part of the sensors; Each sensor is able to switch between a low energy configuration associated with a low energy emission interval and a high energy configuration associated with a high energy emission interval, the high energy interval being smaller than the low energy interval. Each sensor comprises tilting means (58) between the two configurations as a function of the progress of the horse race. Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

System for tracking a plurality of racehorses during a horse race and related tracking method

The present invention relates to a system for tracking a plurality of racehorses during a horse race.

The invention also relates to a method for tracking a plurality of racehorses during a horse race by means of such a tracking system.

In particular, horse racing is for example a gallop event, an obstacle course, a harnessed trot event or a mounted trot event.

The horse race can be followed by spectators present at the racecourse and/or by viewers watching the horse race on a television set live or delayed.

It is known to follow horses by means of sensors fitted to the horses. Each sensor includes a battery to supply it with electricity. It is necessary that the batteries have enough autonomy to supply the sensors throughout the duration of the race.

However, some horse races can last up to ten hours, which leads to oversizing of the batteries and therefore a very significant added weight to the horse. In addition, such batteries are expensive and thus make tracking a plurality of horses very expensive.

There is therefore a need for a tracking system allowing reduced electrical consumption of the sensors while being less expensive.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a system for monitoring a plurality of racehorses during a horse race in a race location comprising a plurality of sensors, each racehorse being equipped with a sensor, each sensor being configured to periodically generate a parameter relating to the horse race and to periodically emit a tracking signal comprising this parameter during an emission time interval and a centralized module comprising at least one chip, the or each chip being configured to communicate with at least some of the sensors by receiving signals emitted by these sensors and by transmitting signals to these sensors; each sensor being capable of switching between a so-called low energy configuration associated with an emission time interval called low energy interval and a so-called high energy configuration associated with an emission time interval called high energy, the high energy interval being smaller than the low energy interval, each sensor comprising switching means suitable for switching said sensor from one configuration to another depending on the course of the horse race.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the tracking system comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:

- each sensor comprises an elementary geolocation sensor configured to receive geolocation signals from a satellite geolocation system, the parameter generated by this sensor then being relative to the geographical position of the racehorse;

- the system further comprises a server communicating with the centralized module and a fixed receiver disposed in the race location according to a known geographical position and configured to receive geolocation signals from the geolocation system in order to determine a positioning error by comparison between the known geographical position of the fixed receiver and the position of the fixed receiver determined using the received geolocation signals, the server being configured, when the sensor is in a high energy configuration, to determine an improved position of each racehorse from the positioning error determined by the fixed receiver and the position resulting from the elementary geolocation sensor associated with this racehorse;

- each sensor is configured to be in high energy configuration during the horse race;

- the centralized module is configured to send a command signal to each sensor at a predetermined time before the start of the race, the predetermined time being advantageously greater than 15 minutes, the switching means being able to receive said command signal and to switching said sensor from the low energy configuration to the high energy configuration;

- the high energy interval is less than 1 second, advantageously less than 0.5 seconds, in particular less than 0.2 seconds and the low energy interval is less than 20 seconds, advantageously less than 15 seconds;

- the centralized module is capable of periodically sending a synchronization signal to each sensor during a reception time interval, the synchronization signal allowing the sensor to define the corresponding transmission time interval, each sensor in low energy configuration, being configured to receive only the synchronization signal;

- the signal emitted by each sensor has a size of 24 bytes;

- the centralized module comprises at least one so-called low-energy chip, in particular two low-energy chips, each low-energy chip being capable of communicating with at least some of the sensors in low-energy configuration; and at least two so-called high-energy chips, in particular three high-energy chips, advantageously four high-energy chips, each high-energy chip being capable of communicating with at least some of the sensors in high-energy configuration; and

- each low-energy chip is able to communicate with up to 100 sensors at a time interval of less than 150 ms and greater than 10 ms and in which each high-energy chip is able to communicate with up to 10 sensors at a lower time interval at 10ms.

The invention also relates to a method for tracking a plurality of racehorses during a horse race in a predetermined geographical location, by means of a tracking system as defined above, comprising the following steps :

- periodic generation by each sensor of a parameter relating to horse racing;

- emission by each sensor of a signal comprising the parameter according to the low energy or high energy interval;

- switching of each sensor from one configuration to another depending on the course of the horse race;

- reception by the centralized module of the signals emitted by each sensor.

In addition, each sensor is initially in the low energy configuration before the start of the horse race and the tracking method comprises the following steps:

- emission by each sensor of a signal comprising the parameter according to the low energy interval;

- switching of each sensor from the low energy configuration to the high energy configuration at the start of the horse race;

- emission by each sensor of a signal comprising the parameter according to the high energy interval; and

- switching of each sensor from the high energy configuration to the low energy configuration after the finish of the horse race.

The invention also relates to a computer program product comprising software instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement a tracking method as defined above.

The invention also relates to a system for monitoring a plurality of competitors during a race comprising a plurality of sensors, each competitor being equipped with a sensor, each sensor being configured to periodically generate a parameter relating to the competitor and to emit a tracking signal comprising this parameter, each sensor being capable of sending said tracking signal by means of radio waves according to a frequency band specific to the plurality of sensors; and a centralized module comprising at least one chip, the or each chip being configured to communicate with at least some of the sensors by receiving signals emitted by these sensors and by transmitting signals to these sensors; each sensor being capable of periodically transmitting the tracking signal during a transmission time interval determined according to a centralized schedule for the plurality of sensors, the centralized schedule being a function of at least one transmission power constraint and advantageously a transmission duration constraint associated with the frequency band.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the tracking system comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:

- said frequency band is a free-to-use frequency band;

- each competitor is a racehorse in a horse race;

- each sensor comprises an elementary geolocation sensor configured to receive geolocation signals from a satellite geolocation system, the parameter generated by this sensor then being relative to the geographical position of the competitor;

- the transmission duration constraint is a utilization coefficient defining the duration during which the tracking system is authorized to transmit signals according to the frequency band, advantageously the utilization coefficient being defined by the legislation in force in the place where the race takes place;

- the centralized module is capable of periodically sending a synchronization signal and advantageously a signal comprising a positioning error to each sensor during a reception time interval determined according to the centralized schedule, the synchronization signal allowing the sensor to define the interval corresponding transmission time;

- the synchronization signal is determined by means of an atomic clock;

- the synchronization signal makes it possible to define a regular standby time interval for each sensor, the standby time interval being determined according to the emission duration constraint;

- each sensor comprises a battery capable of powering said sensor, the centralized schedule being determined so as to maximize the rate of tracking signals emitted by the plurality of sensors to the centralized module while limiting the consumption of the plurality of batteries and respecting the transmission duration constraint and the transmission power constraint;

- the transmission time intervals of the sensors communicating with the same chip do not overlap;

- each sensor is capable of switching between a so-called low energy configuration associated with an emission time interval called low energy interval and a so-called high energy configuration associated with an emission time interval called high energy, the high energy interval being smaller than the low energy interval, the centralized schedule being determined so as to maximize the rate of tracking signals emitted by the plurality of sensors to the centralized module when the plurality of sensors is in high energy configuration while respecting the constraint transmission duration and the transmission power constraint;

- the centralized module comprises at least one so-called low-energy chip, in particular two low-energy chips, each low-energy chip being capable of communicating with at least some of the sensors in low-energy configuration; and at least two so-called high-energy chips, in particular three high-energy chips, advantageously four high-energy chips, each high-energy chip being capable of communicating with at least some of the sensors in high-energy configuration; the number of low-energy chips and the number of high-energy chips being a function of the transmission duration constraint and the transmission power constraint associated with the frequency band;

- each low-energy chip is able to communicate with up to 100 sensors at a time interval of less than 150 ms and greater than 10 ms and in which each high-energy chip is able to communicate with up to 10 sensors at a lower time interval at 10ms.

The invention also relates to a method for tracking a plurality of competitors during a race, by means of a tracking system as defined above, comprising, for each sensor, the following steps:

- reception of the synchronization signal sent by the centralized module;

- generation of the parameter relating to the corresponding competitor;

- transmission of the tracking signal including the parameter during the transmission time interval.

The invention also relates to a method for determining a plurality of competitors during a race, by means of a tracking system as defined above, comprising, for each sensor, the following steps:

- provision of the number of sensors included in the tracking system, of the frequency band associated with the sensors and of at least one transmission duration constraint and one transmission power constraint associated with the frequency band; and

- determination of the centralized schedule for the sensors according to the transmission duration constraint and the transmission power constraint.

The invention also relates to a computer program product comprising software instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement a tracking method as defined previously.

These characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a tracking system according to the invention of a plurality of racehorses during a horse race; and

- FIG. 2 is a flowchart representing the operation of the tracking system of FIG. 1; and

- Figure 3 is a schematic timing representation of communication between a chip with a plurality of sensors of the tracking system of Figure 1.

A tracking system 10 of a plurality of competitors 12 during a race is illustrated in Figure 1.

As seen in Figure 1, each competitor 12 is advantageously a racehorse 13 during a horse race.

Alternatively, each competitor 12 is a cyclist, an athlete or a car driver, etc.

The competitors 12 move to a race location 14. The race location 14 is, for example, a racetrack, a road circuit, an athletics track or a motor racing circuit.

The race location 14 comprises a start line 16 and a finish line 18 delimiting a course 20 to be carried out by the competitors 12. The start line 16 is configured to allow a simultaneous start of the competitors 12. The course 20 is configured to allow the movement of competitors 12 to the finish line 18.

In the example of Figure 1, each racehorse 13 is ridden by a rider 22, called a "jockey", by means of a saddle 24 placed on the back of the racehorse 12. Horse racing is in particular a test canter, an obstacle course or a mounted trot test. Alternatively, racehorse 13 is equipped with a hitch called a “sulky”. The coupling comprises two wheels and a seat configured to receive the rider 22, then called "driver". Horse racing is then, for example, a harnessed trotting event.

As visible in Figure 1, the tracking system 10 comprises a plurality of sensors 26, an antenna 28, a centralized module 30 and a server 32.

In an advantageous embodiment, the tracking system further comprises a fixed receiver 34.

The plurality of sensors 26 is able to communicate with the centralized module 30 via the antenna 28. The centralized module 30 is configured to communicate with the server 32.

Each competitor 12 is equipped with at least one sensor 26.

In the example of Figure 1, the sensor 26 is fixed on the saddle 24 of the racehorse 13 or on the hitch.

As a variant, the sensor 26 is fixed on a bicycle, on an automobile or directly on a garment of the competitor 12.

Each sensor 26 includes a measurement module 36, a sending module 38, a piloting module 40, a battery 42, a memory 44 and a clock 46.

The measurement module 36 is configured to periodically generate a parameter relating to the associated competitor 12.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the measurement module 36 comprises for this purpose an elementary geolocation sensor 48 configured to receive geolocation signals from a geolocation system 50 by satellites such as the GPS system (for “Global Positioning System” in English), Glonass, Beidou or Galileo and to generate a parameter relating to the geographical position of the corresponding competitor 12 in the race location 14.

The measurement module 36 further comprises an inertial unit 52 and an atmospheric sensor 54.

The inertial unit 52 is configured to integrate the movements of the competitor 12 and thus determine his acceleration and the angular speed. The inertial unit 50 also makes it possible to determine the orientation of the competitor 12 in space.

To do this, the inertial unit 52 comprises for example three gyroscopes configured to measure the angular accelerations of the competitor 12 with respect to three linearly independent axes and three accelerometers configured to measure the accelerations of the competitor 12 along these axes. Advantageously, the inertial unit 52 also includes three magnetometers configured to measure the magnetic field in order to determine, for example, the orientation of the competitor 12 with respect to the earth's magnetic field.

The inertial unit 52 is thus configured to generate a parameter relating to the angular accelerations and to the accelerations of the corresponding competitor 12 in the race location 14.

The atmospheric sensor 54 is configured to generate at least one piece of information relating, for example, to the atmospheric pressure, the temperature, the wind speed, the air density or the humidity surrounding the competitor 12. By "surrounding “, means at a distance of less than 2 m around the competitor 12, advantageously less than 1 m, still advantageously less than 75 cm.

The sending module 38 is configured to communicate with the centralized module 30 via the antenna 28.

In particular, the send module 38 is configured to periodically send a tracking signal comprising the parameter determined by the measurement module 36.

The term “periodically” is understood to mean reproducing at various predetermined intervals, the intervals possibly being regular.

The tracking signal transmitted by the communication module 38 advantageously has a size of 24 bytes.

The sending module 38 suitable for sending the tracking signal by means of radio waves according to a specific frequency band to all the sensors 26.

The frequency band is advantageously a frequency band that is free to use.

This frequency band is free to be used without administrative authorization. In addition, the use of these bands does not require the payment of any royalty or prior declaration. In particular, the sending module 38 is a chip capable of sending the tracking signal according to the communication protocol of the LoRaWAN type for “Long Range Wide-Area Network” in English or “Long Range Extended Network” in French. This protocol makes it possible to use a low-power, long-range network. This protocol uses free-use ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical) frequency bands, shared with other wireless technologies. For the European Union, the frequency bands and any limit levels are defined in standard EN 55011. For the United States, publication part 18 of title 47 of the "Code of Federal Regulations" (CFR) defines these bands frequencies and the associated emission limit levels.

The use of this protocol is therefore constrained by compliance with the rules of use defined by the legislation in force at the place of the race 14. For example, the decision of the European Union Commission n°2008/432/EC imposes conditions of use for short-range devices.

In particular, in return for free use, the use of a free frequency band is associated with technical conditions in order to reduce the risk of mutual interference between the various devices using this frequency band.

In particular, the legislation imposes a transmission duration constraint and a transmission power constraint associated with the frequency band. The transmission duration constraint is a utilization coefficient defining the duration during which the tracking system is authorized to transmit signals according to the frequency band, advantageously the utilization coefficient being defined by the legislation in force in the place of race.

For example, in the European Union for the frequency band between 433.050 MHz and 434.040 MHz, equipment cannot effectively transmit more than 10% of the time for one hour and at a power of less than 10 mW of effective radiated power.

The piloting module 40 comprises planning means 56 and failover means 58.

The scheduling means 56 are suitable for driving the sending module 38 so that the latter periodically sends the tracking signal during a transmission time interval determined according to a centralized schedule.

The centralized planning is at least a function of the transmission duration constraint and the transmission power constraint associated with the frequency band. The determination of the centralized schedule will be described later.

The scheduling means 56 are adapted to periodically receive a synchronization signal from the centralized module 30 during a reception time interval determined according to the centralized schedule.

The synchronization signal allows the planning means 56 to define the transmission time interval for the sending module 38.

In particular, the synchronization signal provides the same reference time to the planning means 56 of all the sensors 26.

The planning means 56 are suitable for controlling the sending module 38 so that it transmits the tracking signal as a function of this reference time, after a predetermined duration specific to each sensor 26. In particular, the means planning 56 are suitable for determining this predetermined duration according to a passage order of the sensor 26 determined by the centralized planning.

The synchronization signal further allows to define a regular standby time interval for the sending module 38. During standby, the sending module 38 does not emit any signal from the outside.

The standby time interval is determined based on the transmission duration constraint. Indeed, the regular monitoring of the sensor 26 makes it possible in particular to respect the coefficient of use associated with the frequency band.

The switching means 58 are suitable for switching the sending module 38 from a low energy configuration to a high energy configuration and vice versa depending on the course of the race.

The low energy configuration is associated with an emission time interval, called low energy interval, and the high energy configuration is associated with an emission time interval, called high energy.

The high energy interval is lower than the low energy interval.

In particular, the high energy interval is less than 1 second, advantageously less than 0.5 second, in particular less than 0.2 second.

The low energy interval is less than 20 seconds, advantageously less than 15 seconds.

In high-energy configuration, the sending module 38 is capable of communicating with the centralized module 30 at a waiting time interval of between 75 ms and 150 ms.

In low energy configuration, the sending module 38 is capable of communicating with the centralized module 30 at a waiting time interval of between 10 s and 20 s.

As seen in Figure 3, the waiting time interval is the time interval between two transmission time intervals. The standby time slot is composed of the standby time slot and the receive time slot.

Furthermore, in low energy configuration, the planning means 56 are configured to receive only the synchronization signal. Thus, in low energy configuration, the sensor 26 does not receive any other signals from outside.

The switching means 58 are suitable for receiving a control signal sent by the centralized module 30 and for switching the sending module 38 from one configuration to another upon receipt of this control signal.

Battery 42 is capable of powering sensor 26 electrically.

The battery 42 is for example a lithium-ion battery.

The memory 44 is configured to store the parameters generated by the measurement module 36. Thus, in the event of failure of the transmission of the parameters by the sensor 26, the parameters are available at the end of the race on the memory 44. The memory 44 is in particular a flash memory.

The memory 44 is further configured to store information relating to the centralized schedule specific to the sensor 26.

In particular, the memory 44 is suitable for storing the order of passage of the sensor 26, the duration of the low energy interval and of the high energy interval.

Clock 46 is suitable for measuring time.

The clock 46 is a clock internal to the sensor 26. Alternatively, the clock is regularly updated by the clock associated with the geolocation system 50.

The centralized module 30 comprises at least one chip 60. In the example of Figure 2, the centralized module 30 comprises four chips 60.

Each chip 60 is configured to communicate with at least a part of the sensors 26 by receiving signals emitted by these sensors 26 and by transmitting signals to these sensors 26.

In particular, each chip 60 is able to receive signals from the sending module 38 and to send signals to the control module 40 of certain sensors 26.

Each chip 60 is capable of sending signals to the sensors 26 according to the LoRaWAN type protocol.

The transmission time intervals of the sending modules 38 communicating with the same chip 60 do not overlap.

In particular, each sensor 26 associated with one of the chips 60 has its own passing order.

This can be seen in FIG. 3, which temporally represents the communication between one of the chips 60 and the sensors 26 which are associated with this chip 60. In the example in FIG. 3, there are N sensors 26 associated with the chip 42 , N being an integer for example between 5 and 100.

Sending module 38 of sensor number 1 is able to send the tracking signal first after receiving the synchronization signal. Sending module 38 of sensor number 2 is capable of sending the tracking signal following sending by sending module 38 of sensor number 1, etc.

The chips 60 are composed of at least one so-called low-energy chip 62 and at least one so-called high-energy chip 64.

In the example of Figure 2, the centralized module 30 comprises a single low-energy chip 62 and three high-energy chips 64.

As a variant, the centralized module 30 comprises at least two low energy chips 62.

Alternatively, the centralized module 30 includes two high energy chips 64, or at least four high energy chips 64.

Each low-energy chip 62 is able to communicate with at least some of the sensors 26 when the latter are in the low-energy configuration.

In particular, each low-energy chip 62 is capable of communicating with up to 100 sensors 26 at time intervals of less than 150 ms and greater than 10 ms.

Each high-energy chip 64 is capable of communicating with at least some of the sensors 26 when the latter are in the high-energy configuration.

In particular, each high-energy chip 64 is capable of communicating with up to 10 sensors 26 at time intervals of less than 10 ms.

In a general case, the number of low-energy chips 62 and the number of high-energy chips 64 depends on the transmission duration constraint and the transmission power constraint associated with the frequency band.

In particular, the number of high-energy chips 64 is chosen so as to maximize the flow of signals received by the high-energy chips 64 from the sensors 26 while respecting the emission duration constraint and the constraint transmit power.

Indeed, the greater the number of high-energy chips 64, the greater the flow of signals received by the centralized module 30 will be. However, the emission duration constraint limits the total number of high-energy 64 chips because too many high-energy 64 chips would lead to excessive use of the frequency band and non-compliance with legislative constraints.

Thus, the centralized module 30 contains the maximum number of high-energy chips 64 making it possible to comply with the constraints imposed by the legislation in force at the place of the race 14.

The number of low-energy chips 62 is chosen so as to allow the minimum but sufficient monitoring of the plurality of competitors 12 and thus save the batteries 42 of the sensors 26 as much as possible.

Sufficient monitoring of the plurality of competitors 12 depends on the race location 14 and the needs of the users of the monitoring system 10 of the competitors 12. The sufficient monitoring makes it possible to have information regularly on each competitor 12 before the race in order to know by example their position, their speed, their temperature, their heart rate, etc. without it being necessary for this information to be received almost continuously. For example, knowing the position of the competitor every 10 s makes it possible to know sufficiently precisely where the competitor 12 is located before the race, for example if he is very close to the starting line 16.

The number of low energy chips 62 is therefore necessarily lower than the number of high energy chips 64.

The centralized module 30 is configured to send the control signal to the switching means 58 in order to switch the sensor 26 from one configuration to another.

The centralized module 30 is in particular configured to send the control signal at a first predetermined duration before the start of the race. The first predetermined duration is advantageously greater than 5 minutes, in particular greater than 15 minutes.

The centralized module 30 is further configured to send the control signal at a second predetermined duration after the end of the race. The second predetermined duration is advantageously greater than 5 minutes, in particular greater than 15 minutes.

The centralized module 30 is capable of periodically sending the synchronization signal to the switching means 58 of each sensor 26 during the reception time interval determined according to the centralized schedule.

Advantageously, the synchronization signal is determined by means of an atomic clock.

An atomic clock is a clock that uses the perenniality and immutability of the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by an electron during the transition from one energy level to another to ensure the accuracy and stability of the oscillating signal that she produces.

The atomic clock makes it possible to have a reference time with an accuracy of the order of 3 billionths of a second. Thus, all the sensors 26 are synchronized in a very precise way allowing an optimization of the centralized planning.

The server 32 is configured to receive the signals transmitted by the centralized module 30 and to process the parameters corresponding to these signals.

Referring to Figure 2, the server 32 includes a means 66 for storing the parameters generated by the measurement module 36 of the sensors 26 over time, a processing module 68 for these parameters and a transmission module 70.

The processing module 68 is configured to determine, from the parameters stored in the storage means 66, for example the classification of the race, the instantaneous speed of each competitor 12 or the distance traveled by each competitor 12 since the start of the race. .

The transmission module 70 is configured to transmit at least one piece of information determined by the processing module 68 to at least one audiovisual terminal 72, visible in figure 2.

The audiovisual terminal 72 is in particular a television, a smart phone, a digital tablet and/or a laptop computer. The audiovisual terminal 72 is configured to receive and display each information received in the form of an enhanced television broadcast or post-race report.

The fixed receiver 34 is arranged in the place of race 14 according to a known geographical position, for example near the antenna 28, or even in the same box as the latter.

The fixed receiver 34 is configured to receive geolocation signals from the geolocation system 50 in order to determine a positioning error by comparison between the known geographical position of the fixed receiver 34 and the position of the fixed receiver 34 determined using the geolocation signals received.

The fixed receiver 34 is then configured to transmit a signal comprising the positioning error. To do this, the fixed receiver 34 implements, for example, the technology called RTK for “Real Time Kinematic” in English or “Cinématique temps réel” in French.

According to this embodiment, the centralized module 30 is configured to receive the signal comprising the positioning error emitted by the fixed receiver 34 and send it to the server 32 and/or to the sensors 26.

The server 32 is then configured to determine an improved position of each competitor 12 from the positioning error determined by the fixed receiver 34 and the position from the elementary geolocation sensor 48 associated with this competitor 12.

The improved position of the competitor 12 on the race location 14 has an accuracy with respect to the real position of the competitor 12 of a few tens of centimeters or even up to a few centimeters.

Advantageously, the server 32 is configured to determine the improved position of each competitor 12 only when the sensors 26 are in high energy configuration. Indeed, the improved position of each competitor 12 is only necessary during the race.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the measurement 36, sending 38 and piloting 40 modules are in the form of programmable logic circuits of the FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) type and/or or software. In the latter case, the sensor 26 further comprises a computer comprising at least one processor and a memory, the software being stored in the memory of the computer and executable by the processor thereof.

A method of tracking a plurality of competitors 12 during a race using a tracking system 10 will now be described.

Initially, before the start of the race, each sensor 26 is in the low energy configuration.

Indeed, apart from the race, each sensor 26 is preferably in low energy configuration. Tracking each competitor 12 then does not require a large amount of information about each competitor 12. The tracking signal sent every about 10 s to 20 s provides sufficient accuracy for tracking each competitor 12 before the race.

The low-energy configuration thus makes it possible to limit the consumption of the battery 42 of each sensor 26 and to avoid a detrimental electrical failure of a sensor 26 during the race.

The centralized module 30 regularly sends the synchronization signal according to the centralized schedule to the scheduling means 56 of each sensor 26.

At each cycle, the planning means 56 of each sensor 26 receives the synchronization signal during the reception time interval and determines the transmission interval associated with the sensor 26.

The sending module 38 of each sensor 26 then transmits the tracking signal during the low energy transmission interval.

Outside the reception time interval and the transmission time interval, the sensor 26 is on standby.

The antenna 28 receives and transmits the signals emitted by each sensor 26 to the low energy chip 44 associated with each sensor 26.

The centralized module 30 receives the signals emitted by the antenna 28 then transmits them to the server 32 which stores and processes the parameter corresponding to each signal by means of the storage module 48 and the processing module 50 respectively.

Then, at the predetermined time before the race, the centralized module 30 sends the control signal to the switching means 58 of each sensor 26.

The switching means 58 of each sensor 26 receives the control signal during the reception time interval and switches the sensor 26 from the low energy configuration to the high energy configuration.

The sending module 38 of each sensor 26 then transmits the tracking signal during the high energy transmission interval.

Then, the competitors 12 place themselves on the starting line 16.

The start is given and the competitors 12 move along circuit 20 towards the finish line 18.

Throughout the race, the planning means 36 of each sensor 26 regularly receives the synchronization signal and transmits the tracking signal during the high energy transmission interval.

The antenna 28 receives and transmits the signals emitted by each sensor 26 to the high energy chip 46 associated with each sensor 26.

Each sensor 26 being in high energy configuration during the race, the sending module 38 of each sensor 26 sends a maximum of information on the competitor 12 during the race, allowing tracking with adequate precision of the competitor 12.

The centralized module 30 receives the signals emitted by the antenna 28 then transmits them to the server 32 which stores and processes the parameter corresponding to each signal by means of the storage module 48 and the processing module 50 respectively.

Then the transmission module 52 sends the at least one piece of information determined by the processing module to an audiovisual terminal 54. The audiovisual terminal 54 receives and displays the information.

12 competitors cross the finish line 18 and the race ends.

After the second predetermined duration after the end of the race, the centralized module 30 sends the control signal to the switching means 58 of each sensor 26.

The switching means 58 of each sensor 26 receive the control signal and switch the sensor 26 from the high energy configuration to the low energy configuration.

A centralized schedule determination method for the tracking system 10 will now be described.

Initially, a number of competitors 12 to be tracked during the race and a number of sensors 26 associated with the tracking system 10 is provided.

A frequency band associated with the sensors 26 is chosen for communication between the sensors 26 and the centralized module 30.

This frequency band is associated with at least one transmission duration constraint and one transmission power constraint.

The centralized schedule is determined so as to maximize the rate of tracking signals emitted by the plurality of sensors 26 to the centralized module 30 while limiting the consumption of the plurality of batteries 42 and respecting the emission duration constraint and the transmission power constraint.

In particular, the centralized schedule is determined so as to maximize the rate of tracking signals emitted by the plurality of sensors 26 to the centralized module 30 when the plurality of sensors 26 is in high energy configuration while respecting the duration constraint of transmission and the transmission power constraint.

In particular, the centralized schedule is determined so that each sensor 26 in high-energy configuration transmits according to the maximum transmission rate and transmission duration authorized by the constraints.

The centralized schedule is determined so that each sensor 26 in low energy configuration emits the tracking signal at the minimum waiting time interval allowing sufficient tracking of the competitors 12.

Thus, the centralized schedule is determined so as to save the batteries 42 as much as possible when the sensors 26 are in low energy configuration.

It can then be seen that the invention has a certain number of advantages.

The invention allows for improved tracking of competitors 12 in the race using sensors 26 in a high-energy configuration that allow accurate tracking of competitors 12 during that race.

In addition, the use of centralized planning allows maximum use of the frequency band during the race while respecting the constraints imposed by the legislation in force at the race venue.

This very precise tracking during the race of the competitors 12 is also possible thanks to the battery savings 42 of the sensors 26 in low energy configuration outside the race.

In addition, the use of the LoRaWAN protocol allowing the use of a low-power and long-range network is particularly well suited to 26 sensors that require significant autonomy from their 42 battery.

In addition, the use of a free frequency band makes it possible to avoid the payment of any royalty and thus reduces the costs of using the tracking system according to the invention. In addition, this allows easy deployment in a plurality of countries without having to request specific authorization from each country to use a private frequency band.

Finally, the invention makes it possible not to have to oversize the batteries 42 in order to be able to cover an event taking place over several hours.

26 sensors are therefore lighter, allowing 12 competitors to go faster during the race. The sensors 26 are thus also less expensive to produce.

Claims (13)

Tracking system (10) of a plurality of racehorses (12) during a horse race on a race site (14) comprising:

• a plurality of sensors (26), each racehorse (12) being equipped with a sensor, each sensor (26) being configured to periodically generate a parameter relating to the racehorse (12) and to periodically emit a tracking signal comprising this parameter during a transmission time interval;
• a centralized module (30) comprising at least one chip (60), the or each chip (60) being configured to communicate with at least a part of the sensors (26) by receiving signals emitted by these sensors (26) and by transmitting signals to these sensors (26);

characterized in that each sensor (26) is capable of switching between a so-called low energy configuration associated with an emission time interval called low energy interval and a so-called high energy configuration associated with an emission time interval called high energy , the high-energy interval being smaller than the low-energy interval,
each sensor (26) comprising switching means (58) able to switch said sensor (26) from one configuration to another according to the progress of the horse race. Tracking system (10) according to claim 1, in which each sensor (26) comprises an elementary geolocation sensor (48) configured to receive geolocation signals from a satellite geolocation system (50), the parameter generated by this sensor (26) then being relative to the geographical position of the racehorse (12). Tracking system (10) according to claim 2, further comprising a server (32) communicating with the centralized module (30) and a fixed receiver (34) disposed in the race location (14) according to a known geographical position and configured for receiving geolocation signals from the geolocation system (48) to determine a positioning error by comparing the known geographic position of the fixed receiver (34) and the position of the fixed receiver (34) determined using the geolocation signals received,
the server (32) being configured, when the sensor (26) is in a high energy configuration, to determine an improved position of each racehorse (12) from the positioning error determined by the fixed receiver (34) and the position from the elementary geolocation sensor (26) associated with this racehorse (12). A tracking system (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein each sensor (26) is configured to be in a high energy configuration during horse racing. Tracking system (10) according to claim 4, in which the centralized module (30) is configured to send a command signal to each sensor (26) at a predetermined duration before the start of the race, the predetermined duration being advantageously longer at 15 minutes, the switching means (58) being suitable for receiving said control signal and for switching said sensor (26) from the low energy configuration to the high energy configuration. Tracking system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the high energy interval is less than 1 second, advantageously less than 0.5 seconds, in particular less than 0.2 seconds and the low energy interval is less than 20 seconds, advantageously less than 15 seconds. Tracking system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the centralized module (30) is capable of periodically sending a synchronization signal to each sensor (26) during a reception time interval, the synchronization signal allowing the sensor (26) to define the corresponding transmission time interval, each sensor (26) in the low energy configuration, being configured to receive only the synchronization signal. Tracking system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the signal emitted by each sensor (26) has a size of 24 bytes. A tracking system (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the centralized module (30) comprises:

• at least one so-called low-energy chip (62), in particular two low-energy chips (62), each low-energy chip (62) being capable of communicating with at least some of the sensors (26) in low-energy configuration; and
• at least two so-called high-energy chips (64), in particular three high-energy chips (64), advantageously four high-energy chips (64), each high-energy chip (64) being able to communicate with at least some of the sensors (26) in a high energy configuration.

Tracking system (10) according to Claim 9, in which each low-energy chip (62) is able to communicate with up to 100 sensors (26) at intervals of time less than 150 ms and greater than 10 ms and in which each high energy chip (64) is capable of communicating with up to 10 sensors (26) at time intervals of less than 10 ms. A method of tracking a plurality of racehorses (12) during a horse race at a race venue (14), using a tracking system (10) according to any preceding claim, comprising the following steps:

• periodic generation by each sensor (26) of a parameter relating to horse racing;
• emission by each sensor (26) of a signal comprising the parameter according to the low energy or high energy interval;
• switching of each sensor (26) from one configuration to another according to the progress of the horse race;
• reception by the centralized module of the signals emitted by each sensor (26).

Tracking method according to claim 10, each sensor (26) being initially in the low energy configuration before the start of the horse race, the method comprising the following steps:

• emission by each sensor (26) of a signal comprising the parameter according to the low energy interval;
• switching of each sensor (26) from the low energy configuration to the high energy configuration at the start of the horse race;
• emission by each sensor (26) of a signal comprising the parameter according to the high energy interval; and
• switching each sensor (26) from the high energy configuration to the low energy configuration after the finish of the horse race.

Computer program product comprising software instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement a tracking method according to claim 11 or 12.