Systems and methods for timing athletic events
First Claim
1. A system for timing an athletic event, comprising:
- a starter unit including a first radio unit, a first user-operable switch interface, a first user-visible output interface and first processing circuitry providing a first real time clock;
a timer unit including a second radio unit, a second user-operable switch interface, a second user-visible output interface and second processing circuitry providing a second real time clock, wherein the second radio unit, second user-operable switch interface, second user-visible output interface and second processing circuitry providing the second real time clock are different from the first radio unit, first user-operable switch interface, first user-visible output interface and first processing circuitry providing the first real time clock, respectively;
a camera coupled to the timer unit and providing video information to an input of the timer unit;
wherein an operator of the starter unit exchanges commands with an operator of the timer unit via the first user-operable switch interface, wherein the starter unit and the timer unit exchange information to synchronize their respective first and second real time clocks, wherein an indication is provided by each of the first and second user-visible output interfaces that the event is ready to be started, wherein the first processing circuitry of the starter unit detects the start of the event and subsequently sends information indicative of a race start time to the timer unit, wherein the timer unit outputs video frames that encode information indicative of an elapsed race time in the output video frames;
wherein the starter unit is integral with a sound implement that generates sound indicative of the start of the event.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Improved systems and methods for timing athletic events. A radio-based starter unit and a radio based timer unit communicate wirelessly via radio. Push buttons/switches and lights and a speaker in the units provide an intuitive, easy to use interface. Handshaking occurs between the starter unit and the timer unit, and lights indicate that the event is ready to start. Real time clocks in the units are synchronized. Upon detection of race or other event start, such as from a starter'"'"'s pistol, information indicative of the race start time is transmitted from the start unit to the timer unit. A camera in communication with the timer unit provides video frames, and the timer unit encodes and inserts elapsed time information in the video frames, which are then output from the timer unit for review and analysis on a computer.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A system for timing an athletic event, comprising:
-
a starter unit including a first radio unit, a first user-operable switch interface, a first user-visible output interface and first processing circuitry providing a first real time clock; a timer unit including a second radio unit, a second user-operable switch interface, a second user-visible output interface and second processing circuitry providing a second real time clock, wherein the second radio unit, second user-operable switch interface, second user-visible output interface and second processing circuitry providing the second real time clock are different from the first radio unit, first user-operable switch interface, first user-visible output interface and first processing circuitry providing the first real time clock, respectively; a camera coupled to the timer unit and providing video information to an input of the timer unit; wherein an operator of the starter unit exchanges commands with an operator of the timer unit via the first user-operable switch interface, wherein the starter unit and the timer unit exchange information to synchronize their respective first and second real time clocks, wherein an indication is provided by each of the first and second user-visible output interfaces that the event is ready to be started, wherein the first processing circuitry of the starter unit detects the start of the event and subsequently sends information indicative of a race start time to the timer unit, wherein the timer unit outputs video frames that encode information indicative of an elapsed race time in the output video frames; wherein the starter unit is integral with a sound implement that generates sound indicative of the start of the event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A system for timing an athletic event, comprising:
-
a starter unit including a first radio unit, a first user-operable switch interface, a first user-visible output interface and first processing circuitry providing a first real time clock; a timer unit including a second radio unit, a second user-operable switch interface, a second user-visible output interface and second processing circuitry providing a second real time clock, wherein the second radio unit, second user-operable switch interface, second user-visible output interface and second processing circuitry providing the second real time clock are different from the first radio unit, first user-operable switch interface, first user-visible output interface and first processing circuitry providing the first real time clock, respectively; a camera coupled to the timer unit and providing video information to an input of the timer unit; wherein an operator of the starter unit exchanges commands with an operator of the timer unit via the first user-operable switch interface, wherein the starter unit and the timer unit exchange information to synchronize their respective first and second real time clocks, wherein an indication is provided by each of the first and second user-visible output interfaces that the event is ready to be started, wherein the first processing circuitry of the starter unit detects the start of the event and subsequently sends information indicative of a race start time to the timer unit, wherein the timer unit outputs video frames that encode information indicative of an elapsed race time in the output video frames; wherein the system further comprises a computing device for processing video frames from the timer unit; wherein the computing device, under software control, generates one or more interpolated video frames intermediate to video frames from the timer unit, wherein the interpolated video frames provide a time resolution for determining when a participant in the athletic event crosses a finish line. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification