Global positioning and timing system and method for race start line management

• US 20130054138A1
• Filed: 08/23/2011
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stephen E. Clark
• Original Assignee: Stephen E. Clark
• Inventors: Clark, Stephen E.
• Application Number:
  US13/199,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20130054138A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/468
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 51/00 Marking of navigation route
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/203 Specially adapted for sailing ships

Abstract

A system and method for positioning control and management of racing sailboat positions and velocities includes the strategic placement of a global positioning receiver on the sailboat. Global positioning system (GPS) receiver unit receives GPS signals from positioning satellites. Prior to starting a race, the sailboat takes two line shots of the starting line from beyond one or both ends of the starting line. In response to operator selection via a user input interface connected to the GPS receiver, the boat'"'"'s respective positions at which the two line shots are taken are each recorded by a processor connected to the GPS receiver. The processor calculates the equation of a straight line corresponding to that of the extended starting line, and plots it in an x-y plane. The processor additionally continuously determines the boat'"'"'s current location, speed and bearing relative to the start line, and plots its current course in the same x-y plane as the starting line. The processor calculates the projected point of intersection of the boat'"'"'s current course with the starting line, and produces a visual and/or audible output describing the amount of time until the boat crosses the start line.

Claims

1. A marine-based system for assisting in boat racing across a predetermined start or finish target line defined by first and second line markers disposed at opposite ends of said target line, said system comprising:

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for installation on a first racing vehicle, said GPS receiver being capable of producing global positioning indications of the position of said GPS receiver based upon received GPS satellite transmissions,

a data processor connected to said GPS receiver,

a user input interface connected to said data processor,

wherein said data processor records a first global positioning indication datum point corresponding to the position of said GPS receiver when said user input interface is activated and said GPS receiver is positioned at a first global position;

and said data processor records a second global positioning datum point corresponding to the position of said GPS receiver when said user input interface is activated and said GPS receiver is positioned at a second global position;

said data processor determining a mathematical equation of a first target line in a first plane, wherein said first target line in said first plane passes through coordinates corresponding to said first positioning datum point and said second positioning datum point;

a clock component connected to said GPS receiver, and said GPS receiver producing a plurality of time spaced-apart global positioning indications of respective positions of said GPS receiver,

wherein said processor records a first global positioning course datum point corresponding to a first of said plurality of time spaced-apart global positioning indications of respective positions of said GPS receiver;

and said processor records a second global positioning course datum point corresponding to a second of said plurality of time spaced-apart global positioning indications of respective positions of said GPS receiver;

said data processor further determining a mathematical equation of a first course line in said first plane, wherein said first course line in said first plane passes through coordinates corresponding to said first positioning course datum point and said second positioning course datum point;

and wherein said processor calculates the speed of travel of said GPS receiver between said first global positioning course datum point and second global positioning course datum point;

and said processor calculates an intersection point in said first plane at which said first course line and said first target line intersect;

and said processor calculates the distance between said second global positioning course datum point and said intersection point;

and said processor calculates for output a projected amount of time it will take to travel from said second global positioning course datum point to said intersection point.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a display screen connected to said processor,

and wherein said output of said projected amount of time comprises displaying time-to-intersect data on said display screen.

3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising:

an audio signal generator connected to said processor,

and wherein said output of said projected amount of time further comprises an generating an audible signal.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said processor further determines a first course bearing in said first plane, said first course bearing corresponding to an angle between said course line and said target line.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said course line and said first target line are graphically depicted on said display screen.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said distance between said second global positioning course datum point and said intersection point is depicted on said display screen.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said first global positioning indication datum point and said second global positioning indication datum point are each depicted on said display screen.