WO2013029876A1

WO2013029876A1 - Device for displaying data for timed sports competition

Info

Publication number: WO2013029876A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/064407
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christophe Berthaud; Pascal Richard; André Zanetta
Original assignee: Swiss Timing Ltd
Priority date: 2011-08-29
Filing date: 2012-07-23
Publication date: 2013-03-07
Also published as: EP2751787A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a display device (100,100', 100") for sports competition, comprising display means (1011-1013, 1021-1023, 1031-1033, 1041-1043, 1051-1053, 1061-1063, 1071-1073, 1081-1083, 1011'-1014', 1021'-1024', 1031'-1034', 1041'-1044', 1051'-1054', 1061'-1064', 1071'- 1074', 1081'-1084', 1011"-1013", 1021"-1203", 1031"-1033", 1041"-1043", 1051"-1053", 1061"-1063", 1071"-1073", 1081"-1083") arranged so as to display information relating to competitors in a timed race. Said display means (1011-1013, 1021-1023, 1031-1033, 1041-1043, 1051-1053, 1061-1063, 1071-1073, 1081-1083, 1011'-1014', 1021'-1024', 1031'-1034', 1041'-1044', 1051'-1054', 1061'-1064', 1071'- 1074', 1081'-1084', 1011"-1013", 1021"-1203", 1031"-1033", 1041"-1043", 1051"-1053", 1061"-1063", 1071"-1073", 1081"-1083") are divided into a number of display sub-sets (101-108, 101'- 108', 101"-108"), equal to the number (N) of competitors, spatially distributed between areas (1001-1008, 1001'-1008', 1001"-1008") corresponding to the race lanes (10,10', 10") or the extension thereof.

Description

Display device for timed sports competition

Technical area

The present invention relates to the display of data during a timed sports competition, and more particularly to the display of information relating to a race by corridors.

State of the art

In the context of sports competitions, the spectator present on the spot is often given the opportunity to view certain information relevant to the game, such as, for example, the score of a match, the time elapsed or the time remaining to play, etc. on large billboards placed on the grounds of the stadium where the competition is taking place.

For timed online races such as athletics or swimming races, the timing devices are often connected to such giant screens to display the times of different competitors, as well as their ranking. The disadvantage of such panels used in this kind of events is that it does not allow spectators to focus on both the race and the information he wants to acquire in real time.

It is also not very intuitive for a spectator to find information relating to a given competitor, such as his ranking, or if he made a false start by consulting such a large billboard, because he must one hand turn to this panel without being able to follow the rest of the eye competition at the same time, and secondly to read the names of the competitors for whom he is looking for information relating to the race, possibly among several names displayed simultaneously, which is relatively inconvenient.

In the context of swimming, document US3544989 discloses display devices of the matrix type to indicate the order of arrival of the various competitors, as well as possible false starts. The matrix, however, is integrated into a large conventional scoreboard, so that the viewer still can not view this race information without having to turn their eyes to this large panel. Also known display devices comprising subassemblies spatially distributed in the different corridors, such as document FR1588236 which discloses a display device allowing swimmers to instantly view their rank in alphanumeric form with marks which light up preferably under the starting blocks. This type of display, however, is intended for the competitors themselves, and not for the public, so that the same parameters must necessarily be displayed simultaneously on a large scoreboard to allow viewers to know the information of ranking at the same time as the swimmers.

Matrix-like displays also exist in dog racing, where a large billboard summarizes the ranking of each dog according to the hallway in which it ran, as disclosed in GB598590. The viewer is still obliged to turn their eyes to the large billboard to see the results of the race.

In the context of athletics, it is otherwise known from document US371298 a display device for false start, which identifies the competitor or competitors at fault through lamps, located at the studs of each lane. The lamps light up when the values detected by mechanical sensors of the respective starting blocks exceed a certain threshold. This display, coupled with the detection mechanism, however, is in no way intended to display other types of information during the race, such as ranking information, relevant to the viewer.

For television viewers, this problem of intuitive reading of information relating to each runner of a race has been solved by means of image-embedding systems connected to timing systems, for example during swimming races, for which for example, the candidates on the podium are immediately indicated by a flag corresponding to the country of the competitor and a number corresponding to its ranking in their respective race hall. It is thus easy to visualize the race information of at least some riders. This type of solution, however, can not be used on the site of the competition to improve the visual comfort of viewers, since it requires on the one hand complex image processing tools developed specifically for television, and requires On the other hand, each spectator always consults a screen, on which are displayed the images with incrustation of information deduced from the timing.

There is therefore a need for display devices free of these limitations known to the spectators present at the venues where the competition is taking place.

Brief summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a display device that allows all spectators to be able to easily visually associate several race information to a concerned rider, such as a false start in athletics, likely to disqualification according to the IAAF regulations , and even for example a ranking and / or a presence on the podium. Another object of the present invention is to provide an alternative display system or complementary to known conventional billboards.

These aims are achieved in particular by means of a display device comprising the features of the main claim, and in particular the characteristics of the characterizing part of the main claim, which specify that the display device making it possible to display a plurality of race information contains a number of subsets equal to the number of competitors and are distributed respectively in the different race halls or their extension.

Particular embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

An advantage of the display device of the present invention is that it allows each of the spectators present in the enclosure of a sports competition to quickly and intuitively determine the riders concerned by the displayed information, because this information is spatially associated with concerned, either directly through a display near the runner, or indirectly by a display nearby or on an element that identifies a corridor. Each subset can thus simultaneously identify a runner and display information relating to his race.

Another advantage of the display device of the present invention is that it makes it possible to substitute or preferably be complementary to large screens for the display of certain specific race data, such as, for example, false starts, competitors on the podium, the best intermediate times etc. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the proposed display device is integrated with existing elements, such as starting points for a swimming race which thus make it possible to generate no additional visual hindrance for the spectators and secondly for visually associate the information displayed to each competitor which the starting plot is an ideal reference point to identify the water line in which he ran. This solution also allows all on-site spectators to immediately view ranking information as athletes cross the finish line without having to change their direction of view as they follow competitors in real time.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the classification information is displayed in analog form, and not alphanumeric, in order to accentuate the intuitive character especially when this information relates to medals obtained by the first three competitors.

Brief description of the figures

FIG. 1 illustrates a view from above of a display device known from the state of the art used for swimming races.

Examples of implementation of the advantageous invention are indicated in the description and illustrated by the appended figures in which:

FIG. 2 illustrates a view from above of a display device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, intended for use in the context of swimming races;

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a modified swimming pad using a display device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a modified swimming pad using a display device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates a view from above of an athletic track equipped with a display device according to an alternative embodiment; FIG. 4B illustrates a view from above of the display device according to an alternative embodiment of FIG. 4A, using luminous slabs;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a display device according to an alternative embodiment for rowing or canoe races using a display strip equipped with LEDs.

Example (s) of Embodiments of the Invention

In the following, several advantageous embodiments of the invention will be described in relation to different sports for which the spectators are likely to want to consult classification information, preferably in real time, such as swimming, the athletics, or rowing races.

Figure 1 depicts a timing and display device commonly used in swimming races. The pool 1, which constitutes the race area, is delimited by lateral walls 9, a finish wall 2 and an opposite side wall 3. The various water lines 10 are provided with end of line marks 8 and touch panels 20 at the end of the line on the wall 2 of arrival, and respectively other touch panels 30 at the end of the line on the wall 3 opposite side. Each of the key plates 20 is connected to a corresponding line box 21, and the opposite side key plates 31 are connected to corresponding opposite side line boxes 31. Each of the line boxes 21 on the arrival side and 31 opposite side are connected to the timing system 5 via a first conduit 4, usually underground and / or hidden, while timing system 5 is connected by a second led 6 to a large display panel 7, disposed opposite the end wall 2 and the starting studs 1 1 -18, whose number N defines the number of passages N, which is generally equal to 8 as shown in this figure. The timing system is also often typically connected to an auxiliary system 51 for communicating information of race to the swimmers and / or spectators in a visual or acoustic way, for example by means of light signals or audible warning devices for the start of the race.

One of the major drawbacks of the system described, with alphanumeric display on a giant screen, is that it forces the spectator to make a reading effort to find the name of the competitor or competitors he seeks to follow, because the race information relating to competitors, and in particular their classification, being displayed according to their order of arrival and consequently to a variable and unpredictable location. Moreover, the reading is made difficult by the fact that the information is displayed line by line, in the manner of a printed sheet, with sometimes insufficient spacing to be able to clearly identify a line and correctly read its content among all the characters displayed on the whole picture. Reading is thus not intuitive for the audience, especially for those who are furthest away from such traditional billboards intended for display.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first display device 100 according to the invention, intended for swimming competitions and which makes it possible to overcome these drawbacks, by arranging display means preferably complementary to the display panel 7 (not shown on FIG. FIG. 2) allowing all the spectators to read race information through a matrix arrangement of which one size corresponds to the competitors, identified by their race lanes 10, and the other dimension corresponds to the type of information displayed. , such as a ranking. The display means are thus distributed in first display areas (1001 -1008) corresponding to the race halls (10, 10 ', 10 ") or their extension and make it possible to spatially arrange the information relating to each competitor of the race. so that it is easier to associate the information displayed to the competitor it concerns, so reading is particularly intuitive for a viewer who, unlike a conventional viewer, no longer needs to search for competitor among others on a display location but instead of simply seek the information provided at a given, predefined location, which clearly identifies each competitor. It will be understood, on reading the following, that a similar arrangement of the display device proposed according to the invention would also have been possible at the opposite wall 3 of the pool 1.

The first display device 100 according to the invention comprises display means for displaying travel information 101 1 -1013, 1021 -1023, 1031 -1033, 1041 -1043, 1051 -1053, 1061 -1063 , 1071 -1073, 1081 -1083), such as an instantaneous ranking or a false start, which are arranged in a number of subsets (101 -108) equal to the number N of competitors and corridors 10. Each of the sub - Sets 101 -108 is located in a respective display area 1001 - 1008 corresponding to the different raceways 10 or their extension, preferably near the finish line 2 in the direction S of the race. According to the embodiment described here, the distance D at which each of the display means are placed relative to the finish line is of the order of one meter at most, on the starting studs 1 1 - 18 so that the viewer does not have to turn a blind eye to instantly see the final race classification and / or the competitor who made a false start. One could imagine, however, that for other types of sports for which the spectators would be placed further from the line and in a larger enclosure, this preferential distance could go up to 10 meters while allowing each spectator, whatever its positioning in the enclosure, to see clearly these display means without having to turn your eyes while we fixed the finish line. Similarly, the height H at which the classification information is preferably displayed by the various display means according to the invention is preferably at most 2.5 meters from the ground, which corresponds approximately to the size of a goal of football - for example for athletics races taking place in a stadium that also hosts football matches. According to the preferred embodiment described in connection with swimming, this height H is also of the order of one meter, at most with respect to the water level of the pool.

The display means 101 1 -1013, 1021 -1023, 1031 -1033, 1041-1043, 1051 -1053, 1061 -1063, 1071 -1073, 1081 -1083 used by the invention in the context of swimming races, but also the display means 101 '-1013', 1021 '-1023', 1031 '-1033', 1041 '-1043', 1051 '- 1053', 1061 '-1063', 1071 '-1073', 1081 '-1083', 101 1 "-1013", 1021 "-1023", 1031 "-1033", 1041 "-1043", 1051 "-1053", 1061 "-1063", 1071 "-1073", 1081 "-1083" used in other sporting disciplines such as track and field or rowing, are suitable for instant display of classification information or other information relating to timed races, such as fake departures, because they are on the one hand connected to the timing system 5 - for the instantaneous character of the display of classification information as a function of the measured times and the detection of reaction times for false starts - and secondly allow a diff display element-by-element, which makes it possible to display different information relating to different competitors, for example classification information and false starts, unlike, for example, the auxiliary system 51 which communicates the same information to all the spectators and / or all competitors.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the means for displaying race information are a first set of LEDs 101 1 -1013, 1021 -1023, 1031 -1033, 1041 -1043, 1051 -1053, 1061 - 1063, 1071 -1073, 1081 -1083 affixed to the starting blocks 1 1 -18. The set of LEDs is subdivided into a number N of display subsets 101 -108, respectively arranged on each start pad 1 1 -18, and therefore equal to the number N of corridors 10 and competitors, ie 8 in the example described. Each display subassembly 101 -108 is located here in the extension of a competitor's corridor 10 and thus makes it easier to visually associate classification information with a given competitor, since each information about it is displayed in a confined space that allows easy identification. Moreover, according to the illustrated embodiment, the pads 1 1 -18 on which are located each of the corresponding 101 -108 display subassemblies being at least one meter distant from each other, it is also more intuitive for viewers to read the rating information without the risk of swapping or mixing the information it reads, since they are far enough apart from each other to avoid confusion.

According to an alternative embodiment, the display subassemblies 101 -108 could be located, still in the first display areas 1001 -1008 corresponding to the race lanes 10 or their extension, at locations further away from the line arrival 2, but preferably still on elements of the existing infrastructure, for example lighting elements of the pool, to minimize the costs of integration of the proposed display solution.

According to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2, each display subassembly 101 -108 is connected to a line box 21 via dedicated connectors 21 1 -218, with a length of at most a few meters seen the distance between the different line boxes 21 and the pads 1 1 -18 on which are located the different display subassemblies 101 -108. Consequently, the wiring requirements are minimized, especially since the second conduit 6 connecting the timing box 5 to the first display device 100 is identical to the first conduit 4 connecting the line boxes 21 to the Timing box 5. According to one variant, it is also possible to make connections 21 1 -218 dedicated by a wireless technology, for example of the Wi-Fi or UWB type, in order to further minimize the wiring requirements and the overall size. from the display system to integrate with an existing pool structure.

Each display subset 101 -108 includes a number of display elements that is a multiple of the number of rankings possible M displayed by the first display device 100. According to the example shown, M is equal to 3, since the device is intended to display only the first three of the race, apart from false starts. Thus, according to the embodiment described, the display elements used to indicate the false starts are not dedicated display elements for this type of information, since the false starts are indicated by one or a combination of the elements d display used for displaying classification data. According to a variant not illustrated, one could however imagine placing additional specific display elements for false starts, for example at the rear of each pad, these display elements can then be chosen of a different size and sufficiently spaced those provided for displaying classification information to better differentiate these types of information. More generally, one could imagine using differentiated display elements for each type of information displayed in order to facilitate reading for the spectators; however this variant requires more space to distinctly separate the display elements in groups dedicated to each type of information, and is more expensive to implement because of the increased number of display elements to install.

According to FIG. 2, the competitor of the water line number 3 has won the race, which is displayed by the pair of LEDs 1031 of the subassembly 103 on either side of the pad 13; the competitor the competitor of the water line number 2 finished 2nd of the race, which is displayed by the pairs of LEDs respectively 1021 and 1022 of the subassembly 102 on either side of the stud 12, and finally the competitor of water line number 5 finished 3 ^rd of the race, which is displayed by the pairs of LEDs 1051, 1052 and 1053 of the subassembly 105 on either side of plot 15. The interest of displaying the classification by more than one LED, and in particular the two LEDs illustrated on either side of each pad, is to enable distinct display in at least two different directions D1, D2, such as those corresponding to stands located on either side of the pool 1, so that the display is isotropic to all stands of the enclosure. The redundancy factor R, indicated at 8 ^th sub-display set but is true for each of the display elements, is thus equal to 2 according to the described embodiment; one could however imagine that this number could be increased to 4 - with for example a diode on all 4 sides of each plot, so that the display is also effective towards the 4 edges of the pool, and thus improve the visual comfort of all the spectators placed on tribunes parallel to these edges.

Although according to the proposed embodiment, the three display elements 101 1 -1013, 1021 -1023, 1031 -1033, 1041 -1043, 1051 -1053, 1061 -1063, 1071 -1073, 1081 -1083 of each sub - display set 101 -108 can display 2 ³ = 8 different combinations, potentially 8 digits and thus the ranking of the 8 competitors of each line, it is more intuitive for the viewer to associate one of the pairs of LEDs of each subset to a classification value (i.e. a first pair of LEDs for the first, second LEDs torque for the ^2nd and a third pair of LEDs for 3 ^rd) with preferably respectively LEDs always displayed first for the ^2nd, and those of the first and second still lit for the third, as shown in Figure 2. This display combination allows a more intuitive reading of the number of diodes, or respectively pairs of diodes lit corresponds to the cla This is reflected in a display length on the plot that is larger as the ranking is high. Thus the reading of the order of arrival is facilitated for the spectators. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the ranking of the first is displayed on the elements closest to the wall 2 of arrival (the first 101 1 -1021 -1031 -1 041 -1051 -1061 -1071 - 1081 of each sub -the display assembly) and those of the following displayed in the direction of the race S, so that the viewer reads the ranking orders in the continuation of the follow-up of the race in the same direction S that he had done until at the finish line.

With regard to the display of false starts, any combination of the different display elements of the sub- 101 -108 display set identifying the competitor concerned, for example all of these display elements. A flashing display may be used to draw spectators' attention to the water line identifying the competitor concerned.

According to the preferred embodiment described in FIG. 2, the classification information is displayed in analog or symbolic form, and not alphanumeric as on the traditional billboards, which display the competitors' names by the corresponding letters and their classification. The type of display proposed by the invention makes it possible to reinforce the intuitive nature of the reading of the information for the viewer, who thus no longer needs to read a number or a letter, but for example simply to count a number of LEDs that light up on arrival and / or recognize a symbol, such as that of a medal, which can be displayed by each of the display elements. LEDs here represent only a simple example of implementation to perform the preferential analog type display of the invention, but other types of display, based for example on rotating shutters, could also be considered. Moreover, according to the preferred embodiment described, the ranking information that is likely to be displayed correspond to the first three of the race. Each of these competitors will be on the podium and get a medal. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, it is therefore possible to imagine that the classification information is displayed in different colors, since it gives information on medals, which themselves have distinct colors (gold, silver and bronze). ). One can therefore imagine that, to display the ranking information of each competitor on the podium, different colors, for example corresponding to each medal, can be used by the display elements. Such a display mode would further enhance its intuitive character for the viewer, especially in combination with the display proposed in Figure 2, so that each spectator can immediately see both the rank and medal associated with each of the competitors on the podium. In other words, for the ranking example illustrated in FIG. 2, the display elements 1031 could display in a color symbolizing gold (for example yellow), the display elements 1021 and 1022 could display in a color symbolizing silver (for example white or gray) and the display elements 1051, 1052 and 1053 could display in a color symbolizing bronze (for example brown or red).

According to a preferred embodiment above using different colors, the display elements - for example the LEDs - may also use a specific color for false starts, for example the red signifying the disqualification by analogy with a red card of football (NB: in which case the color corresponding to the bronze medal should preferably be chosen as different, even if this race information is never displayed simultaneously) as well as another specific color, for example green, to indicate, in qualifying races for which no medals are awarded, qualified riders (not qualified at the time, decided later at the end of all the races). The use of a specific color to indicate the qualification of certain competitors may or may not be combined with the display of classification information separated by competitors - for example with a number of different LEDs which is illuminated according to the actual ranking. . According to one variant, the display device according to the invention only displays the relevant information, namely the qualification of the competitors, by a homogeneous information for all these competitors, such as, for example, the illumination of all the LEDs of the pads. of these competitors in a given color during qualifying races.

An advantage of the embodiment described is that it allows a very easy integration with any existing pool structure through the use of some common elements, such as the starting pads 1 1 -18, as support brackets. display. In addition, the total display area required to display the desired ranking data is incomparably smaller than that usually used by the usual billboards, because the spatial distribution of the various subassemblies per line allows a better readability of the data, without requiring an important display area for each display element and avoiding any risk of confusion. Thus, when such a display solution is employed, the total area required for the display may be less than or equal to one square meter, while using diodes approximately 10 to 15 centimeters in diameter, easily visible since any part of a sports venue, even at a distance of one hundred meters with adequate transmission power. Indeed, the 2 ^* 3 ^* 8 = 48 display elements each have an area less than 200cm ² , so that the overall display area is 0.96 m ² . This area less than one square meter is smaller by a factor of 50 to 100 compared to large billboards 7 which generally have a size of at least 5 meters by 10 meters, so that the space requirement of the display solution proposed is incomparably more restricted than for these traditional display solutions, and they can thus be used either as a replacement for panels or as a complement to these panels without generating visual discomfort for the spectators.

Likewise, the volume required for the display is also very small compared to conventional panel display solutions, since each of the elements is formed by a very small volume, preferably less than one cubic decimetre, so that the overall volume is in this case much less than 0.1 cubic meter, again incomparably less, by a factor this time of the order of 100, than panels of 5 ^* 10 meters whose thickness is rarely less than 30 centimeters, thus forming a total volume of more than one cubic meter. Therefore, this very small bulk volume is particularly advantageous and allows easy integration into any existing display system without unduly hindering the view of any spectator present in the stands and without the need for apparatus costly for moving and transporting bulky and potentially fragile objects, such as panels.

FIG. 3A is a detailed view of some pads equipped with display elements according to the invention. The illustrated pads 12 and 13 correspond to those placed at the end of the second and third water lines 10, and are generally in the extension of the inlet wall 2 with respect to the direction of travel S (NB: when the distance to go includes an odd number of pool lengths to be performed, the departures are generally given from studs arranged on the opposite side of the pool 1 along the wall 3). Each of the pads has the water line number to which it corresponds (the numbers "2" and "3" embedded in each pad) and at the same time constitute a display subset (referenced 102 and 103 respectively) on which are arranged three display elements or the pairs of diodes 1021, 1022 and 1023 for sub-display set corresponding to the ^2nd line of water and the pairs of diodes 1031, 1032 and 1033 for the subset of display corresponding to the ^3rd waterline. In Fig. 3A, for each display subassembly 102,103 only one of the diodes of each pair is visible; each of these diodes being provided for a display in a given direction, such as for example the direction D1 of Figure 2 above to a main stand. The preferential height H and the preferential distance D with respect to the wall of arrival are in this case substantially equal, comprised between 50 centimeters and 1 meter; however, the height H is identical for all the display elements while the distance D varies as much as the spacing between each of the diodes, ie about 20 to 30 centimeters.

FIG. 3B is a view similar to that of FIG. 3A of an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which each of the display elements 1021 -1023 and 1031 -1033 (as well as those of all the other sub- display assemblies 101 and 104-108, not shown in this figure) are constituted by a strip of LEDs. It is therefore this time the distance D with respect to the arrival wall 2 which is equal for all the display elements, but the height H which varies according to the disposition of each strip on its respective pad. An advantage of this solution is that it makes it possible to perform a completely isotropic omnidirectional display when a circular strip is used and therefore does not require any display redundancy (the factor R mentioned for the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3A previous, ie 2 for the illustrated example, corresponding to the number of diodes included by each display element, each of the diodes can be provided to display in a given direction) and can allow an intuitive reading from top to bottom to differentiate the ranking from ¹ to 3 ^e, using higher bands, middle and lower. This solution can also use differentiated colors to display medals and has similar space and volume footprint advantages to the variant of the previous FIG. 3A; However, it may require, for effective display, the modification of the pads used, for example by machining ribs for the housing of the light strips, so that its integration is relatively less easy than for the previously described display solution.

An advantage of the embodiments described above for swimming, when used in addition to a conventional billboard, is that it allows the majority of spectators, without looking up or lifting their heads. , to see each swimmer turn around and out of the water to see his ranking on the giant billboard, while simultaneously sees the rankings posted on the starting blocks adjacent competitors on the podium. This dissociation of the consultation of the ranking information by the spectator and the competitors themselves consequently allows the spectators present on the spot to be privileged compared to the viewers for example, for whom the image incrustations will only allow the communication of information. ranking but not to see the reaction of the swimmers in real time. According to an alternative embodiment, at least the classification information could be displayed in alphanumeric form, for example using a matrix of LEDs that can form all the digits from 0 to 9, or else via a segment display that can form all these numbers. The display elements could in this case be arranged either on the pads, or in the walls of arrival 2 and / or the wall opposite side 3, for example behind a protective glass to seal. The advantage of this solution would be to use a larger area to improve the readability of each displayed ranking data; however, the costs of implementation are increased at the same time.

FIGS. 4A and 4B now relate to another type of competition for which the display device according to the invention could advantageously be used, namely athletic races, preferably by corridors, as at distances of less than or equal to the lap of track (400 meters). In this case, each of the riders performs his entire race in one of the 8 lanes 10 'to the finish line 2', and a second display device 100 'according to the invention can in this case be arranged by display subassemblies 101 '-108' arranged in second display areas 1001 '-1008' corresponding to the lanes 10 'or their extension, preferably in the extension of the finish line 2' relative to at the ends of corridors 91 'in the direction of travel S. The display means may for example consist of light plates 101 1' -1013 ', 1021' -1023 ', 1031' -1033 ', 1041' -1043 ', 1051' -1053 ', 1061' -1063 ', 1071' -1073 ', 1081' - 1083 'described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 4B. The second display device 100 'according to this preferred embodiment is thus located at a preferential distance D' from the finish line 2 ', preferably of the order of a few meters, or immediately after the finish line. at a height H this time null. The display subassemblies 101 '-108' of this second display device 100 'are distributed in the various corridors 10' and can then consist for example of a row of luminous slabs whose width is at most equal to that of each corridor 10 '. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4B, the luminous slabs are organized in a matrix whose number of rows is equal to that of the number of corridors, ie 8, and the number of columns equal to 6 in order to be able to alternate slabs. illuminated and unenlightened flagstones to perform a discrete display of each ranking, distinguishing the number of illuminated slabs corresponding to the rankings of each rider having crossed the finish line 2 '. The first column of display elements 101 '-1081' thus serves to display the first, the third 1012'-1082 'is used to display the second and the fifth 1013'-1083' is used to display the third. Similarly to the embodiment previously described in connection with swimming with LEDs, it is preferable that the first display elements are also turned on to display the 2 ^nd and 3 ^rd, and as the second display are also turned on to displaying the 3 ^rd, as is the case in the example shown in Figure 4B where the competitor's lane 5 has completed ¹ that the corridor 8 finished ^2nd and that of lane 2 finished ^3rd . Therefore, the display elements 1051 ', 1081' -1082 'and 1021' -1023 'are lit. Although other arrangements are possible for the matrix arrangement of the lines and columns of illuminated slabs used for display, it will be understood that it is more intuitive for the viewer to read a display corresponding to the rankings of the various competitors by display elements located as close as possible to the finish line 2 'for the first-comers and moving away as the ranking of the competitors decreases. It is more intuitive to read a high ranking by an illumination of a larger number of LEDs, as is the case for the embodiment shown in Figure 4B. It would also be possible, with the arrangement of proposed slabs, to shift the lines of display slabs when competitors of adjacent corridors finish on the podium, in order to improve the readability of the display of the results by making it possible to better distinguish corridor display by corridor. For example, if the competitor's lane 5 and first ends than the lane 6 ends ^2nd, slabs of 2 ^nd and 4 ^th columns corresponding the display elements 1061 'and 1062' may be lit instead of the 1 ^st and 3 ^rd columns used for a normal display where none of the competitors finishing on the podium are located in an adjacent corridor with respect to another . In order to better spatially separate each of the display subassemblies 101 '-108' dedicated to each corridor 10 ', it will also be possible to choose light slabs of smaller width than each corridor to avoid confusion between adjacent corridors.

Similarly to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B for swimming, the number of display elements per display subset is a multiple of the number of possible classifications M displayed by the device, either 3 for displaying competitors on the podium. It is also possible here to display the classification information in different colors, for example with colors corresponding to medals (for example yellow, white and brown) in order to reinforce the intuitive nature of the reading of the results to determine the competitors who are on the podium, or another color, eg green, to indicate the qualification in the playoffs or semi-finals. However, in order to improve the readability of the display and to avoid the inter-corridor confusion problems mentioned above, it will be possible to use an alphanumeric display mode instead of the analog display used for the embodiment of the FIG. 4B. In this case, the figures corresponding to the ranking of each rider on the podium ("1", "2" or "3") would be displayed directly on the track, with or without distinction of colors.

According to this embodiment of the invention relating to athletics, one could imagine that the false starts can be specified using LEDs 1014'-1084 ', which represent a 4 ^th display element for each of the 101 '-108' display units per corridor, which would be affixed to the identification cones of the different corridors (represented by the references 1 1 '-18' in the example of a 100-meter race) behind the starting blocks. In this case, since unlike swimming the departures and arrivals are not located in the same places, the fourth display elements 1014'-1084 'of each of the display subassemblies 101' -108 'will be dissociated from the other three display elements 101 1' -1013 ', 1021' -1203 ', 1031' -1033 ', 1041' -1043 ', 1051' - 1053 ', 1061' -1063 ', 1071' -1073 ', 1081' -1083 'of the same subassembly , ie located at different locations at the start and finish, for different types of displayed race information, such as ranking data and false starts. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, all the display means 101 '-1014', 1021 '-1204', 1031 '-1034', 1041 '-1044', 1051 '-1054', 1061 ' - 1064 ', 1071' -1074 ', 1081' -1084 'could be located in the continuation of the corridor at the departure level instead of the arrival of the race, with a series of LEDs whose number would be equal, for each display sub-assembly 101 '-108' arranged in the extensions of the corridors 10 ', to the number of possible information displayed by the display device, such as for example 4 for the classification of the first three (equal to the number M defined previously) and the indication of a false start.

The application of the display solution according to the invention to an athletic race, for example by corridors, has the advantage of not generating any bulk space with respect to the existing structure, since the display elements are directly integrated into the track. However, such integration requires a modification of the coating where the LEDs are placed immediately after arrival, with a translucent coating (eg tartan ™), and the cutting of existing coating parts on the floor. track and layout of conduits for power cables on either side of track 1 ', which is more tedious than simply affixing LEDs on existing elements as starting blocks for the mode of previous realization in the context of swimming.

FIG. 5 again relates to another type of competition for which the display device according to the invention could advantageously be used, either rowing or canoeing races. In this case, the area of race would consist of a water body 1 "separated into different water lines 10" in which the boats move. The finish line 2 "is here virtual, since it does not correspond to any physical delimitation of the body of water but simply to a line connecting two sensors, such as infrared sensors to detect the passage of boats. 100 "display device according to this particular embodiment can then be located on a display strip 7" at this virtual finish line 2 ", or slightly behind this line in the direction of the race S As for the other described embodiments, the third display device 100 "is subdivided into a number of display sub-sets 101" -108 "each comprising a multiple of 3 LEDs 101 1" -1013 ", 1021 "-1023", 1031 "-1033", 1041 "- 1043", 1051 "-1053", 1061 "-1063", 1071 "-1073", 1081 "-1083", for example 3 or 6 depending on which LEDs are located on either side of the 7 "display panel, depending on the arrangement of the stands where the spe ectateurs. According to the embodiment illustrated in this figure, the display subassemblies 101 "-108" of the display strip 7 "are located in third display areas 1001" -1008 "corresponding to the extension of the race halls. 10 ", here in the extension the stroke area 1" from the ends 9 "of the lanes 10" - whose extensions are shown by the lines 91 "in dashed line - at the finish line. The preferred height H of the strip 7 "is here preferably greater than 2 meters to allow sufficient space for the boats and their crew to cross the finish line, while the distance D" preferential to the finish line may to be zero or equal to not more than a few meters, in which case the competitors in the boats may immediately also consult the information on the 7 "banner by looking up as soon as they cross the finish line, which is possible due to the low speed of the boats on the water.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated, the boat B1 is the one that was first, the boat B2 is the one who has completed the ^2nd and B3 is the boat that finished ^3rd, so that the LEDs 1061, "1031" -1032 "and 1051" -1053 "are on. Similar to other embodiments described above, different colors could be used for display of separate ranking information, especially when they are medals, and other types of analogue display, for example using rotating shutters, could also be considered. flashing display to draw spectators' attention to the different water lines on which information will be displayed, as well as separate flash periods for each classification, to further distinguish the information displayed for each rider or team on each boat who participated in the race, those skilled in the art will understand that the flashing display as well as the variation of the flash periods in Should be replicated to other display solutions for swimming and athletics with the same benefits to the viewer in terms of ease of character discrimination and overall reading intuitiveness.

This display solution has the advantage, compared to existing solutions for this sport, of a much easier reading for the viewer, since the distance between the different display subsets 101 "- 108" is the same. order of several meters it is particularly easy for him to spatially differentiate the information displayed for each runner. Moreover, it makes it possible to use existing strips, used for example for advertising purposes by affixing the display elements on them, such as the LEDs on starting pads as part of the preferential display solution used for the display. swimming. This leverage effect of an existing infrastructure also allows here to minimize logistical constraints and thus reduce the marginal cost of the display solution compared to a standard display.

Claims

A sports competition display device (100, 100 ', 100 ") comprising display means (1011-1013, 1021-1023, 1031-1033, 1041-1043, 1051-1053, 1061-1063, 1071-1073 , 1081-1083, 1011-1014, 1021-1024, 1031-1034, 1041-1044, 1051-1054, 1061-1064, 1071-104, 1081 '. 1084 ', 1011 "-1013", 1021 "-1203", 1031 "-1033", 1041 "-1043", 1051 "-1053", 1061 "-1063", 1071 "-1073", 1081 "-1083" ) arranged to display to the public a plurality of distinct information relating to competitors of a timed race, characterized in that said display means (1011-1013, 1021-1023, 1031-1033, 1041-1043, 1051- 1053, 1061-1063, 1071-1073, 1081-1083, 1011-1014 ', 1021' -1024 ', 1031'-1034', 1041'-1044 ', 1051' -1054 ', 1061' -1064 ', 1071'-1074 ', 1081' -1084 ', 1011 "-1013", 1021 "-1203", 1031 "-1033", 1041 "-1043", 1051 "-1053", 1061 "-1063", 1071 " -1073 ", 1081" -1083 ") are subdivided into a number of display sub-sets (101-108, 101" -108 ", 101" -108 "), to the number (N) of competitors, each of said display subassemblies (101-108, 101 '-108', 101 "-108") being respectively distributed in a zone (1001-1008, 1001 '-1008' , 1001 "-1008") corresponding spatially to a given raceway (10, 10 ', 10 ") or its extension.

2. Display device (100, 100 ', 100 ") according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said display means (1011-1013, 1021-1023, 1031-1033, 1041-1043, 1051-1053 , 1061-1063, 1071-1073, 1081-1083, 1011 '-1014', 1021 '-1024', 1031 '-1034', 1041'-1044 ', 1051' -1054 ', 1061' -1064 ', 1071 '1074', 1081 '-1084', 1011 "- 1013", 1021 "-1023", 1031 "-1033", 1041 "-1043", 1051 "-1053", 1061 "- 1063", 1071 "- 1073 ", 1081" -1083 ") are arranged to perform an analog type display.

The display device (100, 100 ', 100 ") according to claim 2, characterized in that said display means (1011-1013, 1021-1023,

1031-1033, 1041-1043, 1051-1053, 1061-1063, 1071-1073, 1081-1083, 101 '-1014', 1021 '-1024', 1031 '-1034', 1041 '-1044', 1051 '-1054', 1061 '- 1064', 1071 '-1074', 1081 '-1084', 101 1 "-1013", 1021 "-1203", 1031 "-1033", 1041 "-1043", 1051 "-1053", 1061 "-1063", 1071 "-1073", 1081 "-1083") are affixed or integrated into swimming start pads (1 1 -18), or form luminous flagstones (101 '-108') on a track or are arranged on a display strip (7 ") mounted above a body of water.

4. Display device (100, 100 ', 100 ") according to claim 3, characterized in that said display means (1 01 1 -1013, 1021 -1023, 1031 -1033, 1041 -1043, 1051 -1053, 1061 -1063, 1071 -1073, 1081 -1083, 101 1 '-1014', 1021 '-1024', 1031 '-1034', 1041 '-1044', 1051 '-1054', 1061 '- 1064', 1071 '1074', 1081 '-1084', 101 1 "-1013", 1021 "-1203", 1031 "-1033", 1041 "-1043", 1051 "-1053", 1061 "-1063", 1071 " -1073 ", 1081" -1083 ") are LEDs.

Display device (100, 100 ', 100 ") according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each display sub-assembly (101 -108, 101' -108 ', 101" -108 ") comprises a number of display elements which is a multiple of the number of possible information displayed by said display device (100,100 ', 100 ").

Display device (100, 100 ', 100 ") according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the classification information is displayed by each display subassembly (101 -108, 101' -108 '). , 101 "-108") in at least two distinct display directions (D1, D2).

The display device (100, 100 ', 100 ") according to claim 6, characterized in that each of the display subassemblies (101 -108, 101' -108 ', 101" -108 ") comprises means omnidirectional display.

8. Display device (100,100 ', 100 ") according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that each of the display subassemblies (101 -108, 101' -108 ', 101" -108 ") is arranged to display in at least 3 different colors.

9. Display device (100,100 ', 100 ") according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information displayed by said display subsystems (101 -108, 101' -108 ', 101" - 108 ") correspond to the medals obtained by the first 3 competitors (B1, B2, B3), a false start, or a qualified status.

10. Display device (100,100 ', 100 ") according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is arranged at a height (H) less than or equal to 2.5 meters and a distance to the ground (D, D ', D ") less than or equal to 10 meters from a finish line (2,2', 2").

1 1. Display device (100, 100 ', 100 ") according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a total display area less than or equal to 1 square meter.

12. Display device (100, 100 ', 100 ") according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the means

(101 1 -1013, 1021-1203, 1031-1033, 1041-1043, 1051-1,053, 1061-103, 1071-1073, 1081-1083, 101-11014 ', 1021' -1024 ', 1031'. -1034 ', 1041' -1044 ', 1051' -1054 ', 1061' -1064 ', 1071' -1074 ', 1081' -1084 ', 101 1 "-1013", 1021 "- 1203", 1031 "- 1033 ", 1041" -1043 ", 1051" -1053 ", 1061" -1063 ", 1071" -1073 ", 1081" -1083 ") for instant display of grading information at a lower volume (V) at 0.1 cubic meter.

13. Timing device comprising a first display device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first conduit (6) connecting the timing box (5) to said first display device (100) ) is identical to a second conduit (4) connecting line boxes (21) to said timing box (5), and that each line box (21) is connected to one of the display subassemblies (101). 108) respectively arranged on starting pads (1 1 -18).