Racecourse lap counter and racecourse for radio controlled vehicles

• US 7,072,792 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2003
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel Freifeld
• Original Assignee: Daniel Freifeld
• Inventors: Freifeld, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, John H.
• Application Number:
  US10/746,597
• Publication Number:
  US 20040156467A1
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: 702/176, 702/178, 731/67, 235/377, 238/10, 250/559.29, 340/468, 340/573.1, 340/870.28, 340/988, 340/539.1, 342/457, 342/44, 404/6, 463/3, 463/6, 463/59, 377/100
• US Class Current: 702/178
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 18/005 Accessories for indicating the winner of a race, e.g. lap counters, speed indicators
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 18/026 Start-finish mechanisms; Stop arrangements; Traffic lights; Barriers, or the like A63H18/025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/24 Race time-recorders

Abstract

A combination of a racecourse and a plurality of racing vehicles where the racecourse has a predefined path defined by at least one gate. This gate further includes a unique identifier. Each of the plurality of racing vehicles has a sensor capable of detecting the unique identifier and the sensor is further coupled to a logic circuit and to a transmitter. A scoreboard has receiver to receive information from the transmitter and display that information, such as lap speed and ranking, according to a desired format. Alternatively, the unique identifier is mounted to the racing vehicle and the sensor to the gate.

Claims

1. A combination of a racecourse and a plurality of racing vehicles, comprising:

each one of said plurality of racing vehicles having as a unique identifier a reflective material appended to an exterior surface;

said racecourse having a predefined path defined by at least one gate, each one of said at least one gate including a sensor capable of detecting said unique identifier,

an optical conduit adjacent said predefined path that transmits a beam of light at said at least one gate whereby a portion of said beam of light is reflected from said exterior surface; and

said scoreboard having a receiver capable of receiving information from said sensor and displaying said information according to a desired format.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein a photodetector determines a source of said reflected portion and transmits information regarding said portion to said scoreboard.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein one of said at least one gates defines a finish point of said predefined path.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein there are a plurality of gates.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein a time to travel between gates determined by said gates (T₁) Is compared to said time to travel between gates determined by said scoreboard (T₂) and displaying a false start if T₂ is less than T₃.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of gates is of a size effective to receive at least two of said plurality of racing vehicles at die same time.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein at least some of said plurality of gates are portable to facilitate changing of said predefined path.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein each of said plurality of racing vehicles has an indicator that confirms one of said unique identifiers has been detected.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said information as displayed on a handheld radio controller either in combination with or in lieu of said scoreboard.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein said information ii displayed on said racing vehicles either in combination with or in lieu of said scoreboard.

11. A combination of a racecourse and a plurality of racing vehicles, comprising:

said racecourse having a predefined path defined by at least one gate, each one of said at least one fate including a unique identifier that distinguishes said at least one gate from other

each one of said plurality of racing vehicles having a sensor capable of detecting said unique identifier, said sensor coupled to a logic circuit, a transmitter and a memory; and

a receiver capable of receiving information that includes said unique identifier from said transmitter and displaying said information according to a desired format. wherein said receiver is capable of receiving stored information that includes a number of gates crossed in proper order while said racing vehicle, traverses said predefined path and wherein said stored information is transmitted to a scoreboard only when said racing vehicle is at a predetermined location of said predefined path.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein one of said at least one gates defines a finish point of said predefined path and is maid predetermined location where said data is transmitted.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein there are a plurality of gates.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein a time to travel between gates determined by said racing vehicle (T₁) is compared to said time to trawl between gates determined by said scoreboard (T₂) and displaying a false start if T₂ is less than T₁.

15. The combination of claim 13 wherein each of said plurality of gates is of a size effective to receive at least two of said plurality of racing vehicles at the same time.

16. The combination of claim 15 wherein at least some of said plurality of gates are portable to facilitate changing of said predefined path.

17. The combination of claim 16 wherein each of said plurality of racing vehicles has an indicator that confirms one of said unique identifiers baa been detected.

18. The combination of claim 12 wherein said unique identifier is a bar code and said sensor is an optical scanner.

19. The combination of claim 12 wherein said unique identifier is a color and said sensor is an optical spectrum detector.

20. The combination of claim 12 wherein said unique identifier is a wire loop transmitting a radio signal at a unique frequency and said sensor is an inductive antenna.

21. The combination of claim 12 wherein said information is displayed as one or more of speed, relative position and lap count for said plurality of racing vehicles.

22. The combination of claim 11 wherein said Information is displayed on a handheld radio controller either in combination with or in lieu of said scoreboard.

23. The combination of claim 11 wherein said information is displayed on said racing vehicles either in combination with or in lieu of said scoreboard.

24. The combination of claim 11 wherein there are a starting line gate and a start/finish gate.

25. The combination of claim 24 wherein a time to travel between gates determined by said racing vehicle (T₁) is compared to said time to travel between gates determined by said scoreboard (T₂) and displaying a false start if T₂ is less than T₁.

26. The combination of claim 25 wherein said racecourse defines a drag racecourse.