RFID TAG READ TRIGGERED IMAGE AND VIDEO CAPTURE EVENT TIMING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20130342699A1
• Filed: 01/20/2012
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Innovative Timing Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Innovative Timing Systems LLC
• Inventors: Hansen, Kurt S
• Application Number:
  US13/980,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20130342699A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/157
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10425 the interrogation device being arranged for interrogation of record carriers passing by the interrogation device
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/24 Race time-recorders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

A system for automatically taking an image of a participant in an event with a timing system determining a time of a passing a detection line on a route by a participant having an RFID tag, the system includes a RFID tag reader system obtaining the RFID tag numbers of the RFID tag in RFID tag reads, time stamping each RFID tag read, and transmitting a tag read message including the RFID tag number, an image capture device capturing images of participants when in proximity to one of the monitored points, generating image data, an image capture system creating an image capture message including the image data, and transmitting the image capture message, and the timing system determining the RFID tag number within the tag read messages, associating the received image data with the identified participant, and storing the image data associated with the determined RFID tag number.

Claims

1. A system for automatically taking an image of a participant in an event wherein a timing system is used to determine a time of a passing a detection line on a route by a participant having an RFID tag on the participant or an object associated with the participant traveling along the route, the system comprising:

a RFID tag reader system configured for communicating with the RFID tag and obtaining the RFID tag number of the RFID tag in one or more RFID tag reads, time stamping each RFID tag read, and transmitting over a communication interface a tag read message including the RFID tag number;

an image capture device configured for capturing one or more images of one or more participants when in proximity to one of the RFID tag reader monitored points, the image capture device generating image data over a data interface responsive to the capturing of the one or more images;

an image capture system configured for communicating with the timing system and an interface coupled to the image capture device for receiving the generated image message, and creating an image capture message including the image data, and transmitting the image capture message over the communication interface to the timing system; and

a timing system configured for receiving the tag read message from the RFID tag reader system and the image capture message, determining the RFID tag number within the tag read messages, associating the image data in the image capture message with the identified participant, and store the image data in a database file that is associated with the determined RFID tag number.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the timing system is configured to activate the capture of an image by the image capture device and the image capture device is responsive to the timing system.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the timing system is configured to provide the image capture system with the RFID tag number and the image capture system is configured to include the received RFID tag number in the image capture message.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the image capture system is coupled to the RFID tag reader system, the RFID tag reader system and image capture system being configured to activate the capturing of an image by the image capture device when the RFID tag reader system has detected an RFID tag, the image capture system being responsive to the RFID tag reader system.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the RFID tag reader system is configured to provide the image capture system with the RFID tag number and the image capture system is configured to include the received RFID tag number in the image capture message.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the image capture device is coupled to the RFID tag reader system, the RFID tag reader system being configured to activate the capturing of an image by the image capture device when the RFID tag reader system has detected an RFID tag, the image capture system being responsive to the RFID tag reader system.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the image capture system is configured for coupling to a plurality of image capture devices, and wherein the image capture system is configured for controlling the image capture by each image capture device.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the image capture system is coupled to the RFID tag reader system or the timing system for receiving a command for capturing an image by one or more of the coupled image capture devices.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the image capture system and the timing system is configured to encrypt the image data prior to storing, and wherein the timing system is configured to transmit the stored image data along with the RFID tag number and an identification of the encryption of the image data.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the image capture system and the timing system is configured to compress the image data prior to storing, and wherein the timing system is configured to transmit the stored image data along with RFID tag number and an identification of the compression of the image data.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the RFID tag reader detects a particular RFID tag number approaching the detection line, and wherein the image capture device is activated to capture a video sequence of the participant associated with the RFID tag number as they approach and pass the detection line.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising an image capture preorder system having an interface for receiving a request for a photograph and/or video of the participant prior to or during an event along the route and transmitting the received request, wherein the timing system is communicatively coupled to the image capture preorder system for receiving the transmitted request and associating the RFID tag number with the image capture request, generating a command for capturing an image associated with the RFID tag number that includes the RFID tag number.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the image capture device is configured for receiving an image capture start command and capturing one or more images responsive to receiving the image capture start command, the image capture device generating image data over a data interface responsive to the capturing of the one or more images and the image capture system is configured for receiving the image capture demand, generating the image capture start command responsive to receipt of the image capture demand, receiving the generated image message, creating an image capture message including the image data, and transmitting the image capture message over the communication interface to the timing system, and the timing system is configured to compare the RFID tag numbers of the tag read messages with the RFID tag number of the image capture command, wherein the image capture command is generated by the timing system responsive to the RFID tag number being identified within the RFID tag read messages, receiving the image capture message responsive to the image capture command, associating the image data in the received image capture message with the identified participant, and storing the image data in a database file that is associated with the identified participant.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the RFID tag reader detects a particular RFID tag number approaching the detection line, and wherein the image capture device is activated to capture a video sequence of the participant associated with the RFID tag number as they approach and pass the detection line.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the request include an identification of one or more requested image outputs for delivering of the captured image data during and after the event, and wherein the timing system is configured to transmit the stored image data for the particular RFID tag number to each of the image outputs contained within the request during or after the event responsive to said request.

16. A system for preordering the automatic taking of one or more images of a participant in an event wherein a timing system is used to determine a time of a passing a detection line on a route by a participant having an RFID tag on the participant or an object associated with the participant traveling along the route, the system comprising an image capture preorder system having an interface for receiving a request for a photograph and/or video of the participant prior to or during an event along the route and transmitting the received request;

a timing system communicatively coupled to the image capture preorder system for receiving the transmitted request and associating the RFID tag number with the image capture request, generating a command for capturing an image associated with the RFID tag number that includes the RFID tag number;

a RFID tag reader system configured for communicating with the RFID tag and obtaining the RFID tag number of the RFID tag in one or more RFID tag reads, time stamping each RFID tag read, and transmitting over a communication interface a tag read message including the RFID tag number;

an image capture device configured for receiving an image capture start command and capturing one or more images responsive to receiving the image capture start command, the image capture device generating image data over a data interface responsive to the capturing of the one or more images;

an image capture system configured for receiving the image capture demand, generating the image capture start command responsive to receipt of the image capture demand, receiving the generated image message, creating an image capture message including the image data, and transmitting the image capture message over the communication interface to the timing system;

wherein the timing system receives the tag read message from the RFID tag reader system, compares the RFID tag numbers of the tag read messages with the RFID tag number of the image capture command, wherein the image capture command is generated by the timing system responsive to the RFID tag number being identified within the RFID tag read messages, receiving the image capture message responsive to the image capture command, associating the image data with the RFID tag number of the tag read messages, and storing the image data in a database file associated with the RFID tag number.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the image capture system is coupled to the RFID tag reader system, the RFID tag reader system and image capture system being configured to activate the capturing of an image by the image capture device when the RFID tag reader system has detected an RFID tag, the image capture system being responsive to the RFID tag reader system.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the RFID tag reader system is configured to provide the image capture system with the RFID tag number and the image capture system is configured to include the received RFID tag number in the image capture message.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the image capture device is coupled to the RFID tag reader system, the RFID tag reader system being configured to activate the capturing of an image by the image capture device when the RFID tag reader system has detected an RFID tag, the image capture system being responsive to the RFID tag reader system.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the image capture system is configured for coupling to a plurality of image capture devices, and wherein the image capture system is configured for controlling the image capture by each image capture device.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the image capture system is coupled to the RFID tag reader system or the timing system for receiving a command for capturing an image by one or more of the coupled image capture devices.

22. The system of claim 16 wherein at least one of the image capture system and the timing system is configured to encrypt the image data prior to storing, and wherein the timing system is configured to transmit the stored image data along with the RFID tag number and an identification of the encryption of the image data.

23. The system of claim 16 wherein at least one of the image capture system and the timing system is configured to compress the image data prior to storing, and wherein the timing system is configured to transmit the stored image data along with RFID tag number and an identification of the compression of the image data.

24. The system of claim 16 wherein the RFID tag reader detects a particular RFID tag number approaching the detection line, and wherein the image capture device is activated to capture a video sequence of the participant associated with the RFID tag number as they approach and pass the detection line.

25. The system of claim 16, wherein the request include an identification of one or more requested image outputs for delivering of the captured image data during and after the event, and wherein the timing system is configured to transmit the stored image data for the particular RFID tag number to each of the image outputs contained within the request during or after the event responsive to said request.

26-41. -41. (canceled)

42. A system for automatically taking an image of a participant in an event wherein a timing system is used to determine a time of a passing a detection line on a route by a participant having an RFID tag on the participant or an object associated with the participant traveling along the route, the system comprising:

a timing system having a processor, a memory, a clock, and a data interface;

a RFID tag reader system having a processor, a memory, a clock, a communication interface for communicating with a timing system, a radio frequency transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the RFID tag, and one or more antenna coupled to the radio frequency transceiver that are positioned proximate to the detection line for communicating with RFID tags at one or more monitored points passed by the participant as the participant approaches the detection line, the tag reader system transmitting a tag read request and receiving one or more tag reads including an RFID tag number for the RFID tag when the RFID tag is proximate to one of the monitored points, time stamping each of the RFID tag reads, and transmitting over the communication interface to the timing system a tag read message including the RFID tag number and at least a portion of the time stamped RFID tag reads;

an image capture device configured for capturing one or more images of one or more participants when in proximity to one of the RFID tag reader monitored points, the image capture device generating image data over a data interface responsive to the capturing of the one or more images;

an image capture system having a processor, a memory, a clock, a communication interface for communicating with the timing system and an interface coupled to the image capture device for receiving the generated image message, and creating an image capture message including the image data, and transmitting the image capture message over the communication interface to the timing system;

wherein the timing system receives the tag read message from the RFID tag reader system and the image capture message, determines the identity of the participant from the RFID tag number within the image capture message, associating the image data in the image capture message with the identified participant, and storing the image data in a database file that is associated with the identified participant.

43. A system for preordering the automatic taking of one or more images of a participant in an event wherein a timing system is used to determine a time of a passing a detection line on a route by a participant having an RFID tag on the participant or an object associated with the participant traveling along the route, the system comprising an image capture preorder system having an interface for receiving a request for a photograph and/or video of the participant prior to or during an event along the route and transmitting the received request;

a timing system having a processor, a memory, a clock, and a data interface, communicatively coupled to the image capture preorder system for receiving the transmitted request, the timing system associating the participant with an RFID tag number that will be worn by the participant during the event and generating a command for capturing of one or more images associated with the RFID tag number, wherein the image capture command includes the RFID tag number of the participant;

a RFID tag reader system having a processor, a memory, a clock, a communication interface for communicating with a timing system, a radio frequency transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the RFID tag, and one or more antenna coupled to the radio frequency transceiver that are positioned proximate to the detection line for communicating with RFID tags at one or more monitored points passed by the participant as the participant approaches the detection line, the tag reader system transmitting a tag read request and receiving one or more tag reads including an RFID tag number when the RFID tag is proximate to one of the monitored points, time stamping each of the RFID tag reads, and transmitting over the communication interface to the timing system a tag read message including the RFID tag number and at least a portion of the time stamped RFID tag reads;

an image capture device configured for receiving an image capture start command and capturing one or more images responsive to receiving the image capture start command, the image capture device generating image data over a data interface responsive to the capturing of the one or more images;

an image capture system having a processor, a memory, a clock, a communication interface for communicating with the timing system, a first data interface coupled to the timing system for receiving the image capture demand, a second data interface for generating the image capture start command responsive to receipt of the image capture demand, the image capture device having a third interface coupled to the image capture device for receiving the generated image message, and creating an image capture message including the image data, and transmitting the image capture message over the communication interface to the timing system;

wherein the timing system receives the tag read message from the RFID tag reader system, compares the RFID tag numbers of the tag read messages with the RFID tag number of the image capture command, wherein the image capture command is generated by the timing system responsive to the RFID tag number being identified within the RFID tag read messages, receiving the image capture message responsive to the image capture command, associating the image data in the received image capture message with the identified participant, and storing the image data in a database file that is associated with the identified participant.