WO2013063432A1 - Système de chronométrage de course à antennes positionnées verticalement - Google Patents

Système de chronométrage de course à antennes positionnées verticalement Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013063432A1
WO2013063432A1 PCT/US2012/062173 US2012062173W WO2013063432A1 WO 2013063432 A1 WO2013063432 A1 WO 2013063432A1 US 2012062173 W US2012062173 W US 2012062173W WO 2013063432 A1 WO2013063432 A1 WO 2013063432A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
timing system
electronic timing
frequency identification
antenna assembly
antenna
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2012/062173
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Daniel R. HOWELL
Original Assignee
Chronotrack Systems, Corp.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chronotrack Systems, Corp. filed Critical Chronotrack Systems, Corp.
Publication of WO2013063432A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013063432A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C1/00—Registering, indicating or recording the time of events or elapsed time, e.g. time-recorders for work people
    • G07C1/22—Registering, indicating or recording the time of events or elapsed time, e.g. time-recorders for work people in connection with sports or games
    • G07C1/24—Race time-recorders

Definitions

  • the human spirit is competitive. Since earliest times, men and women have run and raced against each other. The basic race consists of a start where someone says "GO" and everyone races to the finish line - first one across wins. A stopwatch can be used to determine the winning time.
  • An RFID tag on the runner's shoe or bib communicates with the RFID antenna to transmit data on the runner to the portable controller.
  • the RFID antenna is housed within a rubberized shell ("skin") that encases the antenna and allows the routing of cables to subsequent antennae in the line.
  • the skin includes a central hollow section for receiving the RFID antenna and cabling for connecting the RFID antenna to the controller and/or to additional RFID antennae. Sloped side sections are connected to the lengthwise ends of the central section to create a gradual slope leading up to the raised center section. A hinged cover to the central section is provided to facilitate insertion of the RFID antenna and cabling.
  • the present invention provides an all-weather option that is better suited to the logistics and pace of today's style of events.
  • the present invention includes four primary components: the controller, a vertically oriented RFID antenna, the timing tag, and the remote server software.
  • an electronic timing system for timing of athletic events comprising a vertically oriented radio- frequency identification reader assembly, a portable timing controller, a remote server, and a radio-frequency identification timing tag that is configured for attachment to an athlete.
  • the portable timing controller includes input/output means for exchanging data with the radio-frequency identification antenna.
  • the remote server also includes input/output means for exchanging data with the input/output means of the portable timing controller.
  • the timing tag and antenna include means for wirelessly
  • the vertically oriented radio-frequency identification reader assembly includes an antenna assembly, a water-resistant radome surrounding the antenna assembly, and a tripod supporting the radome and antenna assembly.
  • the antenna assembly further includes a two-element dual linear phased array antenna assembly, and a feed network disposed on a printed circuit board, a portal ground plane positioned between the antenna assembly and printed circuit board, and a pair of RF cables electrically connected to the feed network.
  • the feed network is electrically coupled to the two-element dual linear phased array antenna assembly.
  • the two-element dual linear phased array antenna assembly may include a pair of dual-feed U-shaped radiating elements according to one aspect of the invention. A plurality of spacers may also be positioned between the U-shaped radiating elements and the portal ground plane.
  • the U-shaped radiating elements and the portal ground plane are formed of a conductive material, which may be an anodized aluminum alloy such 5052-H32 aluminum.
  • the portal ground plane is at least 57 cm in length and at least 21 cm in width.
  • the radome may be formed of a durable acrylic-pvc alloy such as KYDEX®.
  • FIGURE 2 is schematic diagram showing the primary components of the present invention according to a presently preferred embodiment used in conjunction with an alternative improved race timing system.
  • FIGURE 3 is a perspective view one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention having of a pair of vertically oriented antennae and controllers positioned along a racecourse.
  • FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the antenna assembly according to a presently preferred embodiment.
  • the antenna 24 is connected to a timing controller box 12, which remains on the ground next to the tripod 28.
  • the controller 12 is a self-contained mobile Gen2 UHF RFID reader system and includes intelligent power management in the form of a power control board 124 that will accept and manage electrical power from multiple sources, including 110-220 volt AC 126, and removable batteries 130a, 130b.
  • the power control board 124 also drives one or more LEDs 136a, 136b to indicate battery levels and further sounds an audible alarm 138 when the power level is critically low.
  • Each battery 130a, 130b also contains its own power management board 140a, 140b, respectively, that prevents the batteries 130a, 130b from being overcharged or damaged by being fully discharged or short circuited.
  • the controller 12 can be connected to the server 18 by using third party GPRS routers such as a Cradlepoint 350 and either a AT&T or Verizon compatible modems.
  • the Cradlepoint router is attached to the controller via Ethernet using the built in Ethernet ports 151a or 151b. . As shown in FIGURE 2, this modem is used to send timing data to a system server 18 from remote locations where it is not feasible to use Ethernet or WiFi.
  • the controller 12 can also utilize 802.1 1 a/b/g wireless radio (WiFi) by attaching a third party WiFi device one of the Ethernet ports 151a or 151b. The traditional use such a device is to allow a timer to wirelessly communicate to a controller 12 from his or her laptop computer 22.
  • WiFi wireless radio
  • timing data can be manually removed from the controller plugging USB memory sticks into one or more USB ports 156 built into the controller 12.
  • USB memory sticks can also be used to load application upgrades to the RFID reader 142.
  • the controller components are housed in a portable carry case 145 that can be equipped with a handle to aid in carrying. It is understood that alternative controllers, for example the controllers described in applicant's co-pending international application serial no. PCT/US 10/36674, can be utilized in connection with the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
  • a race timing system 10 is provided incorporating one or more vertically oriented reader assemblies 14a, 14b and a horizontally oriented reader assembly 15.
  • Each of the reader assemblies 14a, 14b, 15 is connected to a controller 12, as shown in FIGURE 9.
  • two or more of the reader assemblies can be connected to a single controller.
  • the horizontally oriented reader 15 is configured as described in applicant's copending international application serial no. PCT/US 10/36674, and as shown in FIGURE 10, wherein an RFID antenna 50 is housed within a rubberized shell ("skin") 58 that encases the antenna 50 and allows the routing of cables to subsequent antennae 50b, 50c, ... in the line.
  • the antenna 50 is tuned to only operate correctly when inserted into the skin 58, and the reader 142 will not recognize that an antenna is attached when it is not properly inserted in the skin 58.
  • the skin 58 includes a central hollow section 60 for receiving the RFID antenna 50 and cabling for connecting the RFID antenna 50 to the controller and/or to additional RFID antennae.
  • Sloped side sections 62a, 62b are connected to the lengthwise ends of the central section 60 to create a gradual slope leading up to the raised center section 60.
  • a hinged cover 64 to the central section 60 is provided to facilitate insertion of the RFID antenna 50 and cabling.
  • the dimensions of the skin 58 and the slope of the end sections 62a, 62b are designed to be ADA compliant, and preferably the skin 58 is approximately 42" L X 31.5"W and is 1" H at the central section 60.
  • Each respective skin e.g. 58a
  • is configured to be interlockingly attached to another skin e.g.
  • the front face 72 is formed out of a radiant barrier material such as aluminum or stainless steel, or, in the alternative, can be made from a metallic mesh material, preferably copper mesh.
  • the rear face of the back lobe suppressor can be fabricated from any available material, and may even be the reverse side of the same material forming the front face 72.
  • the front face 72 of the back lobe suppressor 70 is preferably separated a distance from the back side of the antenna assembly 24.
  • One or more standoffs may be placed between the antenna assembly 24 and the back lobe suppressor 70 to achieve the desired separation.
  • Use of a back lobe suppressor in this manner reduces the detection area behind the antenna from 10-15 feet to a mere 2 feet, which for application purposes is manageable.
  • the back lobe suppressor 70 is stamped from sheet metal into the shape depicted in FIGURE 11.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de chronométrage électronique qui permet de chronométrer des événements d'athlétisme. Le système de chronométrage comprend un ou plusieurs ensembles lecteurs d'identification radiofréquence orientés verticalement, un dispositif de commande de chronométrage portable, un serveur à distance et une étiquette de chronométrage d'identification radiofréquence qui est configurée pour être attachée à un athlète. Le lecteur d'identification radiofréquence orienté verticalement comprend un ensemble antenne, un radôme résistant à l'eau entourant ledit ensemble antenne, et un trépied portant ledit radôme et l'ensemble antenne. Le dispositif de commande de chronométrage portable comprend un moyen d'entrée/sortie pour échanger des données avec l'antenne d'identification radiofréquence. Le serveur à distance comprend également un moyen d'entrée/sortie pour échanger des données avec le moyen d'entrée/sortie du dispositif de commande de chronométrage portable. L'étiquette de chronométrage et l'antenne comprennent un moyen pour communiquer sans fil des données l'une avec l'autre.
PCT/US2012/062173 2011-10-28 2012-10-26 Système de chronométrage de course à antennes positionnées verticalement WO2013063432A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201161553027P 2011-10-28 2011-10-28
US61/553,027 2011-10-28
US201261639854P 2012-04-27 2012-04-27
US61/639,854 2012-04-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013063432A1 true WO2013063432A1 (fr) 2013-05-02

Family

ID=48168568

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2012/062173 WO2013063432A1 (fr) 2011-10-28 2012-10-26 Système de chronométrage de course à antennes positionnées verticalement

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2013063432A1 (fr)

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040224135A1 (en) * 2003-05-08 2004-11-11 Krebs Robert R. Decorative surface covering with embedded RF antenna and RF shield and method for making the same
US7463905B1 (en) * 2004-12-09 2008-12-09 Nortel Networks Limited Cellular telephony mast cable reduction
US20090188207A1 (en) * 2002-07-17 2009-07-30 Musco Corporation Pole cover or sleeve
US20090303135A1 (en) * 2008-06-10 2009-12-10 Nortel Networks Limited Antennas
US20100227659A1 (en) * 2009-02-23 2010-09-09 Bruce Claver Safety Contestant Progress Registration
US20100259365A1 (en) * 2006-12-20 2010-10-14 Motorola, Inc. Frequency selective surface aids to the operation of rfid products
WO2010138882A1 (fr) * 2009-05-29 2010-12-02 Chronotrack Systems, Llc Système amélioré de chronométrage de course
WO2011104709A2 (fr) * 2010-02-23 2011-09-01 Rami Parham Système destiné à projeter un contenu sur une surface d'affichage dont la taille, la forme et l'emplacement/l'orientation peuvent être paramétrés par un utilisateur, et appareil et procédés utiles associés à celui-ci
EP2381527A1 (fr) * 2010-04-22 2011-10-26 Research In Motion Limited Ensemble d'antenne avec agencement de plan de base étendu électriquement et procédé associé

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090188207A1 (en) * 2002-07-17 2009-07-30 Musco Corporation Pole cover or sleeve
US20040224135A1 (en) * 2003-05-08 2004-11-11 Krebs Robert R. Decorative surface covering with embedded RF antenna and RF shield and method for making the same
US7463905B1 (en) * 2004-12-09 2008-12-09 Nortel Networks Limited Cellular telephony mast cable reduction
US20100259365A1 (en) * 2006-12-20 2010-10-14 Motorola, Inc. Frequency selective surface aids to the operation of rfid products
US20090303135A1 (en) * 2008-06-10 2009-12-10 Nortel Networks Limited Antennas
US20100227659A1 (en) * 2009-02-23 2010-09-09 Bruce Claver Safety Contestant Progress Registration
WO2010138882A1 (fr) * 2009-05-29 2010-12-02 Chronotrack Systems, Llc Système amélioré de chronométrage de course
WO2011104709A2 (fr) * 2010-02-23 2011-09-01 Rami Parham Système destiné à projeter un contenu sur une surface d'affichage dont la taille, la forme et l'emplacement/l'orientation peuvent être paramétrés par un utilisateur, et appareil et procédés utiles associés à celui-ci
EP2381527A1 (fr) * 2010-04-22 2011-10-26 Research In Motion Limited Ensemble d'antenne avec agencement de plan de base étendu électriquement et procédé associé

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