PORTABLE RACE DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING REAL-TIME RACE INFORMATION

• US 20140244010A1
• Filed: 02/21/2014
• Published: 08/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew Harvey, Grace Harvey, Peter Randall Harvey
• Original Assignee: Andrew Harvey, Grace Harvey, Peter Randall Harvey
• Inventors: Harvey, Peter Randall, Harvey, Andrew, Harvey, Grace
• Granted Patent: US 9,607,443 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/91
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63K 3/00 Equipment or accessories for racing or riding sports training equipment for animals A01K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/24 Race time-recorders

Abstract

The invention comprises systems and devices for calculating and displaying real-time race information to a racer during a race. A portable race device may be worn by a racer. During the race, while within range of a race gate transmission, the race device receives gate crossing times for other race participants, and may calculate and display the current positions and times for a selected race group, and the pace needed for the racer to win, and also may display the projected finish positions and times for a selected race group, and the pace needed for the racer to win.

Claims

1. A system for providing real-time race information to at least one racer in a race comprising;

a race device comprising a receiver, display, and processor, wherein at least one racer programs the race device with a race group and wears the device during the race;

at least one race gate comprising a race gate mat, computer, software and transmitter, wherein each gate transmits information over an effective range;

a race course configuration comprising at least one start gate, mid-course gate and finish gate, the location of each race gate, the number of times each race gate will be visited, and the distance from the gate to the finish gate, and wherein each race gate is programmed with the appropriate race course configuration for the gate;

a participant identification device worn by each registered race participant and encoded to transmit participant information to a race gate mat as the participant crosses the mat;

recording, by the race gate computer, a participant time when each participant with a participant identification device crosses a race gate mat;

receiving, by the race device when the racer is within the effective range of each race gate, information transmitted from gate transmitter;

processing, by the race device processor, the received information, and displaying real-time race information to the racer.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of racers wear a race device.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the real-time race information is selected from the group consisting of race position, time, time back, velocity and pace needed to win.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the race gate transmission is continuous.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the race gate transmission is in packets.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the finish gate may signify a race-segment finish.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the information transmitted by each race gate transmitter comprises race course configuration information and participant time information.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the participant identification device is connected with the race device

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the participant identification device is separate from the race device.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein a single race gate may be programmed to function as the start gate, the mid-course gate and the finish gate.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein a single race gate may be programed to function as a plurality of gates.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein a single race gate may be programed to function as the start and finish gate.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the race group is comprised of the race event group classification.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the race group is comprised of specifically selected race participants.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the race gate transmitter is separate from the race gate computer.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the participant information transmitted by the participant identification device comprises the participant identification number and participant race group.

17. A system for providing real-time race information to a plurality of racers in a race comprising:

a race device worn by a plurality of racers during the race comprising a receiver, display, and processor, wherein each racers programs the race device with a selected race group ;

a participant identification device, worn by all registered race participants during the race, that transmits participant identification information to a race gate as the participant crosses the gate, wherein participant identification information comprises a unique participant identifier associated with the participant'"'"'s race group;

at least one race gate comprising a race gate mat, computer, software and antennae, wherein participant identification information is linked with a time when each participant crosses each race gate mat;

locating at least one race gate in a race course configuration comprising a start gate, a mid-course gate and a finish gate;

programming a race gate with race course configuration wherein race course configuration comprises the distance from each gate to the finish line, the number of times each gate will be visited;

transmitting information over an effective range, by the race gate transmitter, to a race device worn by at least one racer, wherein the information transmitted comprises race course configuration, participant identification information and linked participant time;

receiving the transmitted information, by each racer with a race device, while in the effective range;

calculating, by the race device when the racer with the race device comes within the effective range, real-time race information comprising the race group leaders, racer'"'"'s position, pace, time back and pace to win;

displaying real-time race information on the race device to a racer;

updating the real-time race information displayed on the race device each time the racer crosses a race gate.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the real-time race information comprises the current race group leader, the racer'"'"'s position, pace, time back and pace to win.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the real-time race information comprises the projected race group leader, the racer'"'"'s position, pace, time back and pace to win.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein a kiosk may transmit race information comprising race course configuration, participant identification information, race group information.