JPH051031B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a starter used in track and field events, and particularly to an electronic starter.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a pistol has been used as a starter [device] for track and field events, which has had the following drawbacks. In other words, it was dangerous because it used gunpowder, and there were problems with the storage of gunpowder. It was troublesome because it was necessary to replace the paper tube when using it.

Depending on weather conditions such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure, as well as weather conditions such as rain, there were cases in which the bomb failed to explode. Particularly, this was a problem during swimming competitions, as it was easy to get wet. Another drawback was that when the weather conditions changed, the volume and sound quality became unstable, making it difficult for athletes to start.

The competition was not fair because the starting sound of the pistol (referred to as the pistol sound) did not reach the athletes equally. In other words, since the speed of sound is approximately 340 m/s at room temperature (15 degrees Celsius), there is a difference of approximately 3/1000 seconds in the time the pistol sound arrives between a player who is right next to the starter and a player who is 10 meters away. . In competitions such as the 100m track race, where 1/100th of a second is contested, this difference is fatal.

Since the input of the measuring equipment is mechanical,
There was a risk of a measurement error. Such accidents become a big problem in large matches such as international matches.

If the recall pistol fails to fire during flying, the player's fatigue increases, which has a serious effect on wins, losses, records, etc.

Therefore, in order to deal with this drawback, various plans have been made to digitize the starter [device], but all of them have so far ended in failure.

The starter [device] used in track and field events, etc.
In order to fire a pistol with a blank gun outdoors,
There is no reverberation in the pistol sound. The waveform and frequency spectrum characteristics of such a pistol sound are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
As shown in the figure, the rise characteristic is extremely fast and the acoustic output is very large, so the value is very large, and furthermore, the sound pressure decays very quickly. Therefore, if you record this as is and output it from a speaker, the rise characteristics of the speaker are poor, and the acoustic output that the speaker can produce is small, so it produces a sound that is not similar to a pistol sound, generally known as a "pocon". It can be heard as a sound.

This fact was finally discovered as a result of many years of research and experiments by the present inventors. Previous attempts to synthesize pistol sounds were not successful because
This is simply because they overlooked this fact.

Furthermore, the waveform, frequency spectrum characteristics, and sound pressure attenuation of pistol sounds vary depending on the type of pistol, the type of gunpowder, etc., and therefore the volume and sound quality vary; these facts also apply to pistol sounds. This was one of the reasons why sound synthesis was difficult.

The inventors of the present invention overcame these difficulties through a large amount of experiments and based on these experiments, keen speculation and research.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, the objects of the present invention are as follows. In other words, it is necessary to provide a safe starter that does not use gunpowder, to provide a starter that has a constant volume and sound quality regardless of weather conditions such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, or rain, and to provide a starter that has a constant volume and sound quality that is not affected by weather conditions such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, etc. To provide a starter that allows for equal reach, to provide a starter that can perform accurate measurements, to provide a starter that prevents measurement errors, to provide a starter that can reliably make a recall sound when flying, and to make it easy for athletes to start. Providing a starter that can make a sound, etc.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a start signal generating circuit which is connected to an input contact on the one hand and receives a start signal output from the circuit, and on the other hand is connected to a start signal generating circuit connected to an input contact. It is connected to a recall signal generation circuit, and the recall signal outputted by the operation of the circuit is input, and it is also connected to a processing device, a measuring instrument, a start light generator, etc., and the start signal is transmitted to the processing device and other devices. An input/output interface circuit that outputs to the equipment and is connected to the above processing device,
a storage device that stores data of the start sound and recall sound; a processing device that is activated by the start signal or the recall signal and outputs the data stored in the storage device as an output signal; and a processing device that appropriately amplifies the output signal. a speaker that outputs a start sound or a recall sound consisting of an electronic sound, and is connected to the input/output interface circuit and also to the processing device, and enables signal input at the same time as the start sound is output. An electronic starter characterized by comprising the above-mentioned recall signal generation circuit; It is connected to a recall signal generation circuit connected to the device, and the recall signal outputted by the operation of the circuit is inputted, and connected to other devices such as a processing device, a measuring instrument, and a start light generator, so that the start signal is outputted. an input/output interface circuit outputted to the processing device and other equipment; a storage device connected to the processing device and storing data of a start sound and a recall sound; activated by the start signal or recall signal; A processing device that outputs the data stored in the storage device as an output signal to a digital-to-analog converter via an input/output interface circuit, and a processing device that is connected to the input/output interface circuit and converts the digital signal into an analog signal. a digital-to-analog converter that converts and outputs the output signal, a speaker that amplifies the output signal appropriately and outputs a start sound or recall sound consisting of an electronic sound, and is connected to the input/output interface circuit and An electronic starter is provided, characterized in that it is connected to a processing device and is equipped with the above recall signal generation circuit that enables a signal input at the same time as a start sound is output.

[Example] An electronic starter according to the present invention will be explained based on an illustrated example.

The electronic starter includes a main body device 1, a pistol-type input contact device 2, and a speaker 3, which will be described in detail below.

The start signal generation circuit 4 of the main unit 1 is composed of an input contact relay 5, an SR flip-flop 6 for waveform shaping, and a monostable multivibrator 7.
These circuits are sequentially connected in series. An input terminal 8 of the input contact relay 5 is connected to an input contact (not shown) of the piston type input contact device 2. The output end of the monostable multivibrator 7 is connected to an input/output interface circuit 9.

The input/output interface circuit 9 is connected to a processing device 10 consisting of a microprocessor in a freely input/output manner. A branch is connected at the output end of the input/output interface circuit 9 to the relay drive circuit 12 connected in series with the output contact relay 11, and one end is connected between the output contact relay 11 and the relay drive circuit 12. The other end of the line 13 is connected to the input end of the input/output interface circuit 9. 1
4 is an output terminal of the output contact relay 11, which is connected to a measuring device (not shown) such as a photo discriminator. The input/output interface circuit 9 is further connected to a start optical signal drive circuit 15 at another output end. 16 is the start optical signal drive circuit 1
The output terminal 5 is connected to a start light generator (not shown) consisting of a strobe light emitter or the like.

The processing device 10 is connected to a storage device 17 for input and output. The storage device 17 stores data of a start sound, a recall sound, and a control program. The start sound and recall sound consist of the reverberation sound of the pistol sound, which has a much lower sound pressure than the pistol sound, the synthesized sound by a synthesizer, etc., and other random waveform sounds.
This is synthesized by layering these sounds for a much longer time than the pistol sound. Overlay time is 100
ms to 300ms is desirable. Overlay time
If it is less than 100ms, the volume will be too low,
Generally, it is heard as a "pan" sound, which does not approximate the sound of a pistol, and there is a problem in that the equipment required to amplify this sound is large. Also, if the overlapping time exceeds 300ms, the volume will become too loud.
It is generally heard as a ``gun'' sound, which is far from a pistol sound. Although the start sound synthesized in this way has a much lower sound pressure than the pistol sound, it is superimposed for a much longer time than the pistol sound, so it sounds louder to the human ear due to the reverberation effect. . In order to obtain stable electronic sounds, it is preferable that the component tones be stored using digital signals. Storage device 17
It is possible to change the start sound and recall sound to arbitrary sounds by changing the memory contents of the . Further, the start sound and recall sound may be the same sound or may be different sounds.

The digital-to-analog converter 18 is connected to the output end of the input/output interface circuit 9. The output terminal of the digital-to-analog converter 18 is connected to a low-pass filter 19, a variable resistor 20, and a mixer 21, which are connected in series, respectively.

The output end of the mixer 21 is connected to a desired number of speakers 3 via a desired number of low frequency power amplifiers 22 . The speakers 3 are installed at equal distances from each player.

The recall signal generation circuit 23 includes an AND circuit 24
and a monostable multivibrator 25 connected to maintain stability of operation, the input end of the AND circuit 24 is connected to the monostable multivibrator 7, and the output end of the monostable multivibrator 25 is connected to the processing device 10. connected to the input end of the 26,
27 is an input terminal of the recall signal generation circuit 25, the manual input terminal 26 is connected to an input contact (not shown) of the pistol-type input contact device 2, and the automatic input terminal 27 is connected to a flying detection device (not shown). connected to.

If the recall signal output from the recall signal generating circuit 23 is output immediately after the start, it will be difficult to distinguish between the recall sound and the start sound. A generating circuit 23 is configured.
In other words, a recall signal input within 0.3 seconds after the start is not output immediately, but is output after 0.3 seconds have passed.
A recall signal input after 0.3 seconds is output when it is input. Further, the recall signal is configured to be output only once.

28 is an audible sound input terminal connected to a microphone or other audio device (not shown) for transmitting voice, music, etc. of the starter [person], and is connected to the mixer 21 via a low frequency amplifier 29 and a variable resistor 30. Connected.

Therefore, the above circuit is configured to be initialized after a certain period of time has elapsed, in this example, after 5 seconds have elapsed.

[Operating principle and operation] When the athlete arrives at the starting line, the voice of the starter [person] saying "Ready" is output to the audible sound input terminal 28.
low frequency amplifier 29, variable resistor 3
0, is output from the speaker 3 via the mixer 21 and the low frequency power amplifier 22.

When the input contact (not shown) is closed by the starter [person] pressing the trigger of the pistol-type input contact device 2, the input contact relay 5 operates, and the signal is transmitted to the waveform shaping SR flip-flop 6. The signal is transmitted to the monostable multivibrator 7, where the waveform is shaped, and is further transmitted to the monostable multivibrator 7, which outputs a fixed time pulse as a start signal to the input/output interface circuit 9. The processing device 10 does not operate until a start signal is input to the input/output interface circuit 9. When the start signal is input, the processing device 10 checks the relay status of the output contact relay 11 through the input/output interface circuit 9, and if there is no abnormality, the relay drive circuit 12 and the start light signal drive circuit A drive signal as a start signal is sent to 15. After the input/output interface circuit 9 sends this drive signal, the input/output interface circuit 9 further sends the output contact relay 1.
Check the status of relay 1. At this time, if the relay 11 is not driven in a normal state, a warning lamp will be displayed by the display circuit 31 of the input/output interface circuit 9 in response to a signal from the processing device 10, and the main device 1 will not operate. .

If the drive signal is output normally,
The processing device 10 operates and retrieves the start sound data stored in the storage device 17 as a digital signal. This digital signal is sent from the processing device 10 to the input/output interface circuit 9, and further from the input/output interface circuit 9 to the digital signal.
It is output to analog converter 18. At the same time,
Each drive signal is transmitted from the output terminals 14 and 16 to the measuring instrument and the start light generator, enabling both devices to operate.

The digital signal sent to the digital-to-analog converter 18 is converted into an analog signal here, unnecessary frequencies are removed by a low-pass filter 19, and then sent to a low-frequency power amplifier 22 through a mixer 21. Here, after the output is further amplified, it is output from the speaker 3 as a start sound similar to a pistol sound. At the same time, the measuring instrument and the start light generator, which are operable by the drive signal, are activated.

When the start sound is output, at the same time the processing device 1
0 allows the signal of the recall signal generation circuit 23 to be input, and also allows the input of a contact signal by pressing the pistol-type input contact device 2 or a flying signal by operating the flying detection device. When any of the above signals is input to the recall signal generation circuit 23, a recall signal is generated by the AND circuit 24, and this recall signal is sent to the processing device 10 via the monostable multivibrator 25. Then, the processing device 10 retrieves the recall sound data stored in the storage device 17 and sends it to the digital-to-analog converter 18 through the input/output interface circuit 9, where the digital signal is converted. After being converted into an analog signal, it passes through a low-pass filter 19, a mixer 21, and a low-frequency power amplifier 22, and is output from the speaker 3 as a recall sound similar to a pistol.

In addition, in order to relieve the tension of the athletes before the start or until the restart after a flying recall, music is input from the audible sound input terminal 28 and the speaker 3 is turned on.
You may output more.

However, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the waveform and frequency spectrum characteristics of the start sound output from the speaker 3 are much smaller and longer than the pistol sound, resulting in poor start-up characteristics. Even if the sound is output from the speaker 3 with a low acoustic output, the reverberation effect makes it sound very similar to a pistol sound to the human ear.

Furthermore, the speakers 3 are installed at equal distances from each athlete, and the arrival time of the start sound does not vary depending on the distance from the starter (person) as in the past, so the start signal is fair.

Furthermore, since the start sound is output from the speaker 3, the volume can be adjusted according to the usage situation.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the electronic starter according to the present invention is safe because no gunpowder is used to generate the start sound and recall sound, and it is easy to store the gunpowder and replace the paper detonator. This has the effect of eliminating the need for troublesome things. Furthermore, since the output start sound is an electronic sound, it has the advantage that the volume and sound quality are constant regardless of weather conditions such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure, and weather conditions such as rain. Therefore, it can also be used for swimming competitions and the like. Furthermore, since the output start sound is similar to a pistol sound, it has the effect of making it easier for the athlete to start. You can also adjust the volume of the start sound to suit the usage situation.

Since the start sound reaches the players equally,
This has the effect of ensuring the fairness and equality of competition.

Since it is possible to electrically link the start signal and the measuring device, accurate measurements can be made.

Since the start sound is output after confirming the operation of each signal circuit, it is possible to prevent measurement errors due to malfunctions, and when flying, the recall sound can be reliably output.

Since the start sound, recall sound, and starter's voice can be output from the same speaker, there is no need for the starter to carry two pistols, a starting pistol and a recall pistol.
It also prevents equipment and equipment from becoming unnecessarily large.
Moreover, since it is compact, it has the effect of being easy to install and move.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the electronic starter according to the present invention, and FIGS.
The figure is a wiring diagram of the main unit, and FIG. 5 is a graph showing the waveform and frequency spectrum characteristics of the start sound output from the electronic starter according to this embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the three-dimensionally displayed frequency spectrum characteristics, FIG. 7 is a graph showing the waveform and frequency spectrum characteristics of the pistol sound, and FIG. 8 is a graph showing the three-dimensionally displaying frequency spectrum characteristics. 1...Main device, 2...Pistol type input contact device, 3...Speaker, 4...Start signal generation circuit, 5...Relay for input contact, 6...For waveform shaping
SR flip-flop, 7...monostable multivibrator, 8...input terminal, 9...input/output interface circuit, 10...processing device, 11...
Output contact relay, 12... Relay drive circuit, 13... Branch line, 14... Output terminal, 15...
... Start optical signal drive circuit, 16 ... Output terminal, 17 ... Storage device, 18 ... Digital-to-analog converter, 19 ... Low-pass filter, 20
... Variable resistor, 21 ... Mixer, 22 ... Low frequency power amplifier, 23 ... Recall signal generation circuit, 24 ... AND circuit, 25 ... Monostable multivibrator, 26 ... Manual input terminal, 27...
...Input terminal for automatic, 28...Input terminal for audible sound,
29...Low frequency amplifier, 30...Variable resistor, 3
1...Display circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. One side is connected to a start signal generation circuit connected to the input contact, and the start signal outputted from the circuit is inputted, and the other side is connected to the recall signal generation circuit, and the start signal outputted from the circuit is input. The output recall signal is input, and a processing device and a measuring device,
an input/output interface circuit that is connected to other devices such as a start light generator and outputs the start signal to the processing device and other devices; and an input/output interface circuit that is connected to the processing device and outputs data of the start sound and recall sound. a storage device for storing data; a processing device that is activated by the start signal or the recall signal and outputs the data stored in the storage device as an output signal; and a start sound consisting of an electronic sound when the output signal is appropriately amplified. or a speaker that outputs a recall sound, connected to the input/output interface circuit and connected to the processing device,
An electronic starter characterized by comprising the above-mentioned recall signal generation circuit which enables a signal input at the same time as a start sound is output. 2. On the one hand, it is connected to a start signal generation circuit connected to the input contact, and the start signal output from the circuit is inputted, and on the other hand, it is connected to the recall signal generation circuit connected to the flying detection device, so that the circuit is activated. an input/output interface circuit into which the recall signal outputted by the processor is input, and which is connected to a processing device, a measuring instrument, a start light generator, etc., and outputs the start signal to the processing device and other devices; and connected to the above processing device,
A storage device that stores data of a start sound and a recall sound, and a digital-to-analog converter that is activated by the start signal or recall signal and converts the data stored in the storage device into an output signal via an input/output interface circuit. a processing device that outputs the output to the device; a digital-to-analog converter that is connected to the input/output interface circuit and converts the digital signal into an analog signal and outputs it; and the output signal is appropriately amplified and becomes an electronic sound. a speaker that outputs a start sound or a recall sound;
An electronic starter, characterized in that it is connected to the input/output interface circuit and to the processing device, and includes the recall signal generation circuit that enables signal input at the same time as a start sound is output. .