JP2012128540A - Passing time measuring instrument, system, and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such problems that, since a bar-code or the like is used conventionally for a time measurement of a mobile object such as a racing horse, the detection accuracy is deteriorated due to weather and the like and it is difficult to detect mobile objects running in parallel.SOLUTION: For solving the problems, a passing time measuring instrument acquires individual recognition information and coordinate information individually and performs matching with a time stamp so as to highly accurately measure the time of mobile objects running in parallel.

Description

The present invention relates to a system for measuring a passing time at a measurement point of a moving body.

  In recent years, in competitions such as horse racing, time measurement is often performed automatically using a measuring device.

  For example, racehorses take time during training before a race. The time gained from training is officially announced and published in newspapers. Currently, Sakaji Torture is performing automatic measurements. The automation employs a mechanism in which a racehorse is loaded with a bar code indicating individual identification and read when it passes the gate. The passing time of racehorses can be measured. Recently, a course with a roof is being trained regardless of the weather.

  Further, as in Patent Document 1, a magnetic field source installed at or near a gate, a magnetic direction sensor installed on a measurement object for detecting the direction of a magnetic field affected by the magnetic field source, and the magnetic direction A timer that counts the passage time when the sensor detects a predetermined direction and a recorder that records the time counted by the timer are prepared, whereby a plurality of measured objects that pass through arbitrary positions on the gate are prepared. There is also a technology that accurately measures the time of passage through the individual gates of the body.

  In addition, a mechanism for collecting racehorse position information data using a global positioning system (GPS) as in Patent Document 2 and a method for detecting at least one head using an optical sensor installed at a passing point There is. The passing time adopts the time detected by the optical sensor, and the other horses analyze the passing time by correcting the relative position from the GPS positional information based on at least one head detected by the optical sensor.

Japanese Patent No. 3219829 JP 2003-296493 A

  In the case of individual identification using a conventional barcode, the detection accuracy may be reduced due to the influence of weather such as fog.

  In addition, since the passage detection by the magnetic field is recorded in a recording device mounted on each measured object, a person or system monitoring the time away cannot know the passage in real time. Since the passage is detected from the passage of the magnetic field and the angle of the magnetic flux, the course can be measured only in one way. When the same course is used bidirectionally, two magnetic field sources are prepared or a switching function is required for the object to be measured. Furthermore, the timer and the recorder mounted on the measurement object always consume power, and there is a possibility that data is lost when the recorder is recovered depending on the remaining battery level.

  Further, specifying the position using GPS is not limited to an outdoor training course, and is not suitable for a covered course or a covered course. In addition, even in the outdoors, in a course that requires fences on both sides, the detection rate drops due to the positional relationship of the artificial satellites. Since the racehorse also trains to run together, there is a possibility that the relationship between the right and left racehorses that run in conjunction with a decrease in the accuracy of position detection is switched and information is given.

  In order to solve at least a part of the above problem, individual identification information is obtained from a first sensor that obtains coordinate information of the moving object in the first area and a solid identification device of the moving object in the second area. A movement having a second sensor to be acquired, a transmission unit that transmits the coordinate information and the individual identification information, and a server device that receives the coordinate information and the individual identification information and associates them based on respective time stamps A body measurement system is provided.

  According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly accurate measurement system that is not easily affected by the weather.

Example of system overview An example of another system overview Example of top view of measurement gate Example of front view of measurement gate An example of installing a measurement tag on a moving object An example of an image diagram when measuring a moving object Example of detailed functional block diagram of measurement system Database table example Database table example Database table example Example of measurement system processing sequence Another example of measurement system processing sequence Example of measurement information linking image 1 Example of measurement information linking image 2 Example of measurement information linking image 3

  The present embodiment mainly exemplifies a system as a racehorse measuring device, but the use is not limited to a racehorse in practice. The present invention can be used in a situation where the time of a plurality of moving bodies is measured. For example, a marathon, a bicycle race, a car race, etc. can be considered.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of a measurement system according to this embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the measurement gates 102 are evenly arranged on the course 101 on which the racehorse runs. Measurement data from the measurement gate 102 is transmitted to the transmission device 103 and transmitted to the server device 105 via the wireless communication device 104. Note that another network device such as a switch or a router may be placed between the wireless communication device 104 and the server device 105. Moreover, although it is the content which assumed the measurement of the passage time of a horse in FIG. 1, you may apply not only to a horse but to other mobile bodies, such as a person and a vehicle.

  FIG. 2 shows another example of the measurement system according to this embodiment. The difference from FIG. 1 is a part in which the transmission device 103 of each measurement gate 102 is wirelessly communicated in a ring shape by the wireless communication device 104 to exchange data with the server device 105. With this configuration, the following effects can be obtained.

  First, in FIG. 1, each measurement gate 102 and the server device 105 are connected one-to-one, but FIG. 2 has a detour route so that the entire measurement system can be made redundant.

  Second, it is possible to suppress errors in measurement results. When passing time is measured in milliseconds, an error may occur even with delay due to communication time. The time information held by each measurement gate 102 arranged on one course must be synchronized. Therefore, a delay in communication between the wireless communication devices 104 is measured in advance and set in the server device 106. Next, the error of the acquired data can be corrected with a delay measured in advance.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a view of the measurement gate 102 as viewed from above.

  In the measurement gate 102, antenna poles 300 are installed on the left and right sides, and an antenna is installed between the antenna poles 300 and above the route through which the racehorse passes. The antenna poles 300 are installed on the left and right sides of the course at intervals of 200 meters.

  That is, the measurement gates 102 are installed on the course at intervals of 200 meters. This is in line with the position of the halon stick in horse racing. When matching to other competitions or moving objects, it is not always necessary that the distance is 200 meters.

  The left and right antenna poles 300 are provided with a transmission device 103 and a wireless communication device 104 for transmitting and receiving data such as antennas described later. In FIG. 3, the transmission device 103 and the wireless communication device 104 are divided into left and right antenna poles 300, but the same antenna pole 300 may be used, or any antenna pole 300 may be used.

  The transmission device 103 includes a switching hub and a power source for transferring data to be transmitted / received inside. The wireless communication device 104 is a device used when the transmission device 103 communicates with other devices wirelessly. By using the wireless communication device 104, communication can be performed without pulling the cable at multiple points.

  The left and right antenna poles 300 are respectively provided with an upper left laser sensor 301 on the upper left and an upper right laser sensor 302 on the upper right when viewed from the traveling direction of the racehorse 305. This can measure the coordinates of a moving object, etc., and can be measured in milliseconds. In this embodiment, it is set so as to obtain coordinates of a certain distance before and after the dotted line area 402 regarded as a passing point of the measurement gate 102.

  In addition, the LF antenna 303 is installed on the loop between the left and right antenna poles 300. This irradiates the solid identification tag 401 attached to the racehorse 305 with radio waves. It is not always necessary to be on a loop.

  The RF antenna 304 is an antenna for obtaining individual identification information from the solid identification tag 401. Although not shown, the left and right antenna poles 300 are fixed with a bar or the like.

  The solid identification tag 401 is attached to the racehorse 305 and receives individual radio wave irradiation from the LF antenna 303 to transmit individual identification information. The transmitted individual identification information is received by the RF antenna 304.

  In this system, the coordinate information of the racehorse 305 is obtained by the laser sensors 301 and 302, and the individual identification information is obtained by the LF antenna, the RF antenna, and the solid identification tag. These coordinate information and individual identification information are individually transmitted to the server device 105.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a diagram viewed from the front of the measurement gate 102. It is the figure which looked at the measurement gate 102 of FIG. 3 from the side into which the racehorse 305 enters.

  In the example of this figure, the transmission apparatus 103 is installed in a low place beside the antenna pole 300 so that maintenance is easy. Note that the transmission device 103 may be separated from the antenna pole 300.

  The wireless communication device 104 is installed on the upper side of the antenna pole 300 so that the communication is as easy as possible without any obstacles. If there is no particular problem, it may be installed in a low place.

  The laser sensors 301 and 302 are installed in a form overlooking the course on which the racehorse 305 runs from above the antenna pole 300. Although the laser sensors 301 and 302 are very weak lasers, they are prevented from irradiating the eyes or the like by placing them outside the viewing angle of jockeys or racehorses as much as possible.

  The LF antenna 303 is arranged on a loop on the upper surface of the course, and irradiates the entire course with radio waves. When installing the LF antenna 303, the loop antenna may be protected by attaching a vinyl chloride tube or the like. This is to make the tube stand out as a thick tube so that it can be seen that it has been dropped at the same time as the protection. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a thin string-like line has fallen on the course, resulting in a falling horse accident.

  The RF antennas may be attached only to the left and right antenna poles 300. However, even when a plurality of racehorses 305 are running in parallel by arranging them uniformly on the upper surface of the course as shown in the figure, it is possible to suppress missing of the identification information. it can. Although not shown, the RF antenna is fixed by a bar or the like installed on the left and right poles.

  Although not shown, each antenna or laser sensor and the transmission device 103 are connected by a cable, and information acquired by each antenna or laser sensor is sent to the transmission device 103. The transmission device 103 is connected to the wireless communication device 104 with a cable. These cables may be replaced with wireless.

  As can be seen from FIG. 4, this system is configured with maximum consideration given to accurate measurement and safety of the jockey and racehorse 305. Moreover, since it is not necessary to dig up the course and it can be realized simply by mounting all around the antenna pole 300, the existing equipment can be used to the maximum to reduce the installation cost.

  FIG. 5 shows an example in which the solid identification tag 401 is attached to the racehorse 305. Although it is not always necessary to place it at the position shown in the drawing, it is easy to use the current barcode mounting parts and the like and to shift the operation during the side-by-side period and the actual switching. If you do not need to divert the current equipment, you can attach it anywhere.

  FIG. 6 shows an image of measurement. The laser sensors 301 and 302 can detect the coordinates of the moving object in the laser sensor detection area 601. In other words, it is possible to follow the locus of the moving object in the laser sensor detection area 601. The coordinate information here is a coordinate in the detection area 601.

  An area 602 indicates a radio wave output range of the LF antenna 303, and the solid identification tag 401 reacts within the area and returns individual identification information to the RF antenna 304. The range of the area 602 can be changed by the height at which the LF antenna 303 is installed. The range of the area 602 becomes wider as it is installed at a higher position.

  In the server device 105, the coordinate information acquired by the laser sensors 301 and 302 and the individual identification information received by the RF antenna 304 are linked based on the time stamp so that the passing time can be individually measured even when a plurality of racehorses run in parallel. .

  FIG. 7 shows a detailed configuration diagram of the measurement system in the configuration of FIG. In the example of the figure, the equipment of the measurement gate 102 is installed at every 200 meters, and each communicates with the server device 105. In the case of FIG. 2, this becomes a ring shape.

  The upper left laser sensor 301 and the upper right laser sensor 302 are connected to the SW-HUB 702 (switching hub) in the transmission device 103, and transmit coordinate information of a measurement target.

  The LF antenna 303 and the RF antenna 304 are connected to the SW-HUB 702 via the transmission / reception unit 701. The transmission / reception unit 701 adds a time stamp to the acquired coordinate information. In addition, the frequency information transmitted to the solid identification tag 401 is transmitted to the LF antenna 303. Note that the time stamp may be added by the individual identification receiving unit 705 of the server device 105. The RF antenna 304 transmits individual identification information to be measured. The coordinate information and the individual identification information are individually transmitted to the server device 105 via the wireless communication device 104.

  In the server device 105, a transmission / reception unit 703 that transmits / receives information via the wireless communication device 104, a trajectory calculation unit 704 that processes received coordinates, a solid identification reception unit 705 that processes received individual identification information, and a measurement target are A passage determining unit 706 that determines whether or not a predetermined position (in the present embodiment, the measurement gate 102) has passed. The locus calculation unit 704 adds a time stamp to the coordinate information. In consideration of the influence of delay, a time stamp acquisition unit or device that adds a time stamp to the coordinate information may be provided inside or outside the transmission apparatus 103.

  Further, it has a database 707 for storing information used for determination and a determination result, and a transmission / reception unit 708 used for transmitting information of the database 707 to other systems and receiving settings.

  The server device may be configured to cause a processor to execute the trajectory calculation unit 704, the solid identification reception unit 705, and the passage determination unit 706 as a program on a memory using a general computer. The database 707 is stored in a storage medium such as an HDD. The transmission / reception units 703 and 708 can also use a general network interface.

  An example of information stored in the database 707 is shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 8a is a coordinate information table 800a. Coordinate information received from the transmission apparatus 103 is stored. The coordinates 801a, passage point information 802a indicating which observation gate 102 is information, passage date 803a, and passage time second 804a are stored.

  Since the coordinate information always rises continuously while the moving body is present in the laser sensor detection area 601 in FIG. 6, an identifier indicating that it belongs to the same moving body may be added to the record. This is because a plurality of moving bodies may enter the laser sensor detection area 601 at the same time (details will be described with reference to FIG. 9). Further, the passage date 803a and the passage time second 804a may be combined into one. Although the passage time second 804a acquires time in milliseconds, the time unit may be changed depending on the moving object to be measured. If the date is not necessary, the passing date 803a may be omitted.

  FIG. 8b shows an individual identification information table 800b. The individual identification information received from the transmission apparatus 103 is acquired. Individual identification information 801b for uniquely identifying a moving object, passage point information 802b indicating which observation gate 102 is information, passage date 803b, and passage time second 804b are stored. The passage date 803b and the passage time second 804b may be combined into one. The passage time second 804b acquires time in milliseconds, but the time unit may be changed depending on the moving object to be measured. If the date is not required, the passing date 803b may be omitted.

  FIG. 8c is a measurement result table 800c. The result of associating the coordinate information obtained from the transmission apparatus 103 with the individual identification information is stored. Individual identification information 801c, coordinates 802c, passage point information 803c indicating which observation gate 102 is information, passage date 804c, and passage time second 805c are stored. The passage date 804c and the passage time second 805c may be combined into one. The passage time second 805c acquires time in milliseconds, but the time unit may be changed depending on the moving object to be measured. Further, if the date is not required, the passing date 804b may be omitted.

  FIG. 9 shows a sequence of the entire system. The transmission / reception unit 701 of the measurement gate 102 always transmits the frequency F to the LF antenna (S901). This frequency continues to be radiated from the LF antenna and reacts when a tag enters the detection range.

Next, when the moving body enters the laser sensor detection area 601 as shown in FIG. 6, the left and right laser sensors continue to send coordinate information to the locus calculation unit until the moving body leaves the laser sensor detection area 601 (S902). S903). (Details also include SW-HUB 702, wireless communication device 104, and transmission / reception unit 703)
The locus calculation unit 704 creates locus data from information obtained from the left and right laser sensors, and adds a time stamp (S904). For example, when the moving bodies A, B, and C are running side by side, there may be a moving body that is not visible because the left and right laser sensors are measuring the same location. From the left laser, A and B can be seen, and C cannot be seen by the shadows of A and B. Then, from the left, two coordinates (Xa, Ya) and (Xb, Yb) rise. It is assumed that B and C are seen from the right laser, and A cannot be seen by the shadow of BC. Then, two coordinates (Xb, Yb) and (Xc, Yc) rise from the right.
From the laser sensor, only the coordinates of the visible object rise. Identification is still unknown. At this time, the locus calculation unit 704 organizes overlapping coordinates by combining two pieces of information, and it can be seen that there are three moving objects in the area. A time stamp is added to each coordinate information.

  In addition, coordinate information that is continuously measured by the laser sensor and whose coordinates are closest to each other is used as the locus of the same moving object. For example, if the coordinates of the moving bodies A, B, and C are measured in milliseconds and the coordinates that are clearly close are connected, three movement trajectories can be obtained. A set of coordinates with these close distances is used as trajectory information of unconfirmed moving bodies A, B, and C although individual identification is not possible. In addition, how to summarize is not necessarily limited to the above method. What is necessary is just to relate the relation of which coordinates are sequentially raised to one set. Not only the distance but also a vector between coordinates, an angle, and the like may be associated together. When moving objects cross, it is unlikely that each of them suddenly bends the direction of travel at an acute angle. Can do. Of course, this depends on the type of moving object to be measured. Make more relevant associations for rapidly moving objects.

  The trajectory information is stored in the coordinate information table 800a of the database 707 (S905). At this time, an identifier indicating which moving body trajectory information is included in each record may be added.

  Next, the passage determination unit 706 refers to the coordinate information table 800a to obtain trajectory information (S906).

  Independently from S902 to S906, when the mobile object enters the area 602 that is the detection range of the RF antenna 304, the solid identification tag 401 attached to the mobile object receives the frequency F (S907). The antenna 304 receives the individual identification information from the solid identification tag 401 (S908).

  Next, the RF antenna 304 transmits the individual identification information to the transmission / reception unit 701 (S909). Next, the transmission / reception unit 701 adds a time stamp to the individual identification information and transmits it to the individual identification receiving unit 705 (S910). The solid identification receiving unit 705 stores the solid identification information in the individual identification information table 800b (S911).

  Next, the passage determination unit 706 refers to the individual identification information table 800b and acquires individual identification information (S912). The passage determination unit 706 performs association by comparing the trajectory information acquired in S906 and S912 with the time stamp of the individual identification information (S913). Details will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The passage determination unit 706 stores the linked result in the measurement result table 800c (S914). Then, in response to a request from another system, or periodically transmits a measurement result to the other system (S915, S916).

  Note that the timing at which the passage determination unit 706 refers to the database 707 and the order in which the RF antenna 304 and the laser sensors 301 and 302 send information are not necessarily in this sequence.

  FIG. 10 shows another sequence. Although the basic flow is the same as in FIG. 9, the flow of S1005 and S1010 is different. In the example of FIG. 10, the trajectory calculation unit 704 passes trajectory information directly to the passage determination unit 706 instead of the database 707 (S1005). The solid identification receiving unit 705 also passes the solid identification information to the direct passage determination unit 706 (S1010).

  By doing so, the passage determination unit 706 can start processing with the fact that the trajectory information or the like has been passed as a trigger. Further, if the tables 800a and 800b are unnecessary, the storage capacity of the database 707 can be saved.

  In addition to this method, either one of the trajectory information and the individual identification information may be stored in the database 707 and only one of the nets may be directly passed to the passage determination unit 706 as a trigger.

  Next, FIG. 11 shows Example 1 of the linking process in S913. This is a case where the moving bodies (horses) A and B are running side by side, and the horse A enters the area 602 first. In this case, the solid identification information of the horse A comes up to the server device 105 before the horse B.

  Further, two trajectory information of horses A and B can be obtained in S904 of FIG. Therefore, the passage determination unit 706 associates the trajectory information that has entered the area 602 first with the individual identification information of the horse A in the trajectory information, and the individual identification of the horse B and the trajectory information that has entered the area 602 later. Link information.

  Next, FIG. 12 shows a second example of the linking process in S914. This is a case where the moving bodies (horses) A and B are running side by side and the horses A and B enter the area 602 at the same time. In this case, since the solid identification information of the horses A and B comes up to the server device 105 at the same time stamp, the association described with reference to FIG. 11 cannot be performed.

  Therefore, linking is performed based on which one has left the area 602 first (the one that cannot be detected by the RF antenna 304 first).

  In the example of FIG. 12, since horse A has left the area 602 first, it is associated with the trajectory information that has left the area 602 first. Since horse B has left area 602 later, it is associated with trajectory information that has left area 602 later.

  Next, FIG. 13 shows an example 3 of the linking process in S914. This is a case where the moving bodies (horses) A and B are running side by side, and the horses A and B enter the area 602 and exit at the same time. In this case, the trajectory information and the solid identification information cannot be linked by the method of FIGS. However, since the passage time is measured, it can be linked in any way. For example, it may be associated with the trajectory information that has been increased in order from the smallest number in the individual identification information.

  According to the aspect demonstrated in the above Example, the suppression of the fall of the detection system by the weather which was the subject can be solved. Further, since a laser sensor is used, it is possible to easily identify a parallel moving body by a simple method without being affected by an obstacle like GPS. In addition, high-precision measurement is possible regardless of the direction of the race track. The RF antenna 304 can also be said to be a sensor because it detects individual identification information.

101: Course 102: Measuring gate 103: Transmission device 104: Wireless communication device 105: Server device 300: Antenna pole 301: Upper left laser sensor 302: Upper right laser sensor 303: LF antenna 304: RF antenna 305: Race horse 401: Solid identification Tag 402: Passing line 701: Transmission / reception unit 702: SW-HUB
703: Transmission / reception unit 704: Trajectory calculation unit 705: Solid identification reception unit 706: Passage determination unit 707: Database 708: Transmission / reception unit

Claims (12)

A first sensor for acquiring coordinate information of the moving body in a first area;
A second sensor for acquiring individual identification information from a solid identification device of a mobile object in the second area;
A transmission unit for transmitting the coordinate information and the individual identification information;
A moving body measurement system including a server device that receives the coordinate information and the individual identification information and associates the coordinate information and the individual identification information based on each time stamp. It is a moving body measurement system of Claim 1, Comprising:
The first sensor periodically acquires the coordinate information of the moving body while the moving body is in the first area,
The said server apparatus is linked | related with the said solid identification information in the locus | trajectory information unit which linked | related with the received said coordinate information, The moving body measuring system characterized by the above-mentioned. It is a moving body measurement system of Claim 2, Comprising:
The trajectory information includes a plurality of the coordinate information and the time stamp. It is a moving body measurement system of Claim 3, Comprising:
When there are a plurality of the mobile objects and a plurality of the individual identification information are received,
The server device associates with the individual identification information with the earlier time stamp in order from the trajectory information that has entered the second area earlier in the trajectory information. system. The mobile system according to claim 3, wherein
The second sensor periodically transmits the solid identification information of the moving body to the server device while the moving body is in the second area.
When there are a plurality of the moving bodies and the individual identification information at the time of entering the second area of the plurality of moving bodies is acquired with the same time stamp,
The server device sequentially associates with the individual identification information that can no longer be received in order from the one that has left the second area earlier in the trajectory information. . The mobile system according to claim 5, wherein
When there are a plurality of the moving bodies, and the individual identification information at the time of entering and leaving the second area of the plurality of moving bodies is acquired with the same time stamp,
The server apparatus is characterized in that the trajectory information and the individual identification information are sequentially associated by a predetermined method. It is a moving body measurement system of Claim 1, Comprising:
A plurality of the moving body measurement systems are installed at equal intervals along the traveling path of the moving body,
The transmission unit of each mobile measurement system communicates in a ring shape including the server device,
The mobile body measurement system, wherein the time stamp of the coordinate information and the individual identification information is corrected based on a delay time due to communication from each of the mobile body measurement systems to the server device. It is a moving body measurement system of Claim 1, Comprising:
The first sensor is a laser sensor,
A moving body measuring system which is installed on poles on the left and right sides of the traveling path and detects the moving body from above. It is a moving body measurement system of Claim 8, Comprising:
The said server apparatus integrates the said coordinate information which overlaps with the information from the said laser sensor installed in the pole on the said right and left, The moving body measuring system characterized by the above-mentioned. It is a moving body measurement system of Claim 1, Comprising:
A plurality of the second sensors are arranged between poles on the left and right of the travel path. It is a moving body measurement system of Claim 1, Comprising:
The solid identification device is a solid identification tag, and has a transmission antenna that transmits radio waves to the solid identification tag.
The mobile antenna measurement system, wherein the transmitting antenna is covered with a protective film to enhance visibility. It is a moving body measurement system of Claim 1, Comprising:
Communication with the said server apparatus is via a wireless communication apparatus, The moving body measuring system characterized by the above-mentioned.

Images